INTRODUCTION:

Titus was a Greek Gentile (Gal. 2:3).
At some time, when and where is not known, he was converted
by Paul to Christianity.

Titus accompanied Paul to Crete.
When Paul decided to leave, he left Titus to facilitate the churches there.
(See Tit. 1:5)

Titus was with Paul and Barnabus when they went to Jerusalem to tell
about the things God was doing through the preaching of Christ to the Gentiles.
The group at Jerusalem determined that neither Titus, nor ANY Gentile
needed to be circumcised after conversion.
The group even wrote letters to that effect to churches which had been
formed through evangelism.

DATE WRITTEN:
Not known. Lots of discussion about whether at Paul's 1st or 2nd visit
to Rome.

THEME:
The general theme of the Book of Titus is the inseparable link between
sound doctrine and practical godliness, emphasizing that authentic
Christian belief must result in a transformed life characterized by good works.

A specific reference is given (Tit. 1:14) to "Jewish fables."
This probably referred to stories and legends which circulated during
the time Christianity was being preached around the world.
These stories emphasized pride and division rather than faith.

CHAPTER 1
VS 1
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the
faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

((Once, Albert Einstein was on his way to a science convention to give
a speech. He stated out loud to his driver, "I'm sick of all these conferences! I always
say the same things over and over."
Driver: "You're right. As your driver, I have attended all of them, and even
though I don't know all about science, I could almost give the conference
speech in your behalf."
Einstein: "GREAT IDEA! Let's switch places!"

The driver, dressed as Einstein, and began to address the conference.
One scientist who wanted to impresse everyone, asked a very difficult
question.
The driver didn't hesitate!
He said, "Sir, your question is so easy, I'm going to ask my driver
to give you the answer!"))

WHO was PAUL?
Well, let's let the DRIVER of Scrpture answer!

Paul was "an apostle of Jesus Christ."
That's right!
He was chosen by Jesus to present the Gospel of eternal salvation
the the Gentiles. (See Acts 9:15-16, Acts 26:19-21)

God had chosen Gentiles to be led to believe the Gospel of Jesus!
AND, He had chosen them "according to the faith of God's elect,
and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness."

Indeed, God had CHOSEN them!
However, God INTENDED that it should be in CONNECTION with
BEIEVING!

It IS God's purpose to save ALL those who "believe"
in Christ as LORD! (See John 3:16)

There's a very interesting thing about that word "believeth" in
John 3:16.
It is the Greek word pisteuo, which is a verb.
As you know, a verb is a word of ACTION.
You see, Jesus was not implying that simple mind-belief would bring salvation.
(("The devils also believe" James 2:19)).
Jesus was stating that faith WITHIN a person causes them to LIVE in
committed trust to Him.
And the end result of that faith action is "everlasting life."

The word pisteuo (verb) comes from the noun pistis.
Pistis is usually translated "faith" in the Bible.
Nouns show OWNERSHIP.
Owning a committed trust in God does NOT come with birth.
Faith cannot be earned or purchased.
It is a "gift" of God (See Ephesians 2:8-9)

Faith can only be received when a person surrenders to Christ as Lord.

VS 2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the
world began;

Note that the promise WAS given, "before the world began!"
(See 2Tim. 1:9, Rev. 13:8)
A promise given by God, Who is eternal, IS eternal.
Therefore, when God determined to come in the Person of Jesus and
die on the cross for people to be saved, that decision was made
"BEFORE the world began!!"

VS 3
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is
committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

In "due times"?
Gal. 4:4 says, "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent
forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,"

And SINCE THAT time, there has been MADE KNOWN the PREACHING
of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST!

That preaching was given to Paul, Peter, John, James, Andrew, Titus,
and EVERY born again Christian in Matt. 28:18-20!!

It is the "COMMANDMENT of God our Savior!"

VS 4
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Notice Titus is called, "..mine own son after the common faith:...."
This personal note is to say that Paul had brought Titus to know Christ.
AND, "the common faith" is that faith that comes to EVERY
believer upon surrender to Jesus as Lord!!

Then, Paul sends what God sends: "Grace, mercy and peace."

If you are an emissary, or an ambassador of Christ, you can give to
others what God has already given!!!

VS 5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things
that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Presumably, there were churches established in many of the cities of Crete.
There are some things, in each church there, which were "wanting."

The word "elders" is derived from the Greek presbuteros.
It literally means senior.
The word "bishop" (Vs 7) comes from the Greek episkopos.
It literally meens overseer.

That those two words are RELATED, and probably refer to the SAME, is
evident in the discussion of verses 5-9.

Look at it this way: "ordain elders" " for (because) bishops"
"must be...." (taken from a continued sentence, where both names
appear as the subject of conversation).

VSS 6-9
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not
accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled,
not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

QUALIFICATIONS GIVEN:
1) Blameless - having a good reputation;
2) ONE wife - not a bigamist or polygamist;
3) Children who are "faithful" in Christ and not "unruly";
4) Steward of God - faithful in sharing the Gospel and monetary giving;
5) Not self-willed - not putting self above others;
6) Not soon angry - exhibiting self-control;
7 Hospitality - One who easily works with others and also exhibits the
characteristics of being "sober, just, holy, temperate;"
8) FAITHFUL WORD - HOLDING it, and USING it to teach others.

((A man on stage in church said, "All you men who are afraid of your
wife, come stand up here."
All the men went to the stage, except ONE!
The speaker said, "WOW! So you are not afraid of your wife?"
The man in the seat said, "Well, my wife told me to remain seated!"))

FOLLOWING are REASONS for the QUALIFICATIONS!

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they
of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching
things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are
alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be
sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn
from the truth.

Vs 10 - Some, especially Jewish people, were disputing Jesus as God
in flesh.
They also used vain talk to "deceive" others.
((Don't we have many doing this today?))

Vs 11 - Some of those (above vs 10) did that to get followers who would
PAY ("for filthy lucre's sake").
Some went into homes and deceved whole families.
And, they needed to be stopped with TRUTH!
((Yes, we have THAT today also!)

Vs 12 - Cretians had a reputtion for being deceivers as much as Jewish
people who were non-believers in Jesus.
Therefore, it was then, and is now, very important to introduce into the
ministry those who have been scrutinized and have good moral
character.

Vs 13 - Rebuke sharply - speak the Word of God in truth, AND in love;
But be SURE to use the Word of God in TRUTH!

Vs 14 - Don't listen to "fables" - stories that aren't in the Bible!
And, don't listen to people who are trying to lead AWAY from the Bible!
(((Stalin was giving a speech and someone in the audience sneezed!
Stalin asked, "Who sneezed?"
No one answered.
Salin told the KGB to take the first row out and shoot them.
Stalin asked again, "Who sneezed."
A man in the 2nd row said, "I sneezed sir!"
Stalin said, "Bless you!")))

Vss 15-16
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and
unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being
abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Vs 15 - Pure - GIVEN to Christ and truth!
Those who are NOT so given, are "defiled and unbelieving."
They are also having "their mind and conscience defiled."

((An enterprising graduate from high school, named Ken, bought a
small farm in the country.
He needed a mule with which to plow.
He visited a neighbor, and bought a mule for $100.
The neighbor agreed to deliver the mule the next day.
The next day, the neighbor drove up with a dead mule in his trailor.
He said, "I'm sorry, son - but the mule died."
Ken said, "Ok. Just give me back my $100."
Neighbor, "I'm sorry, I already spent that."
Ken thought a moment, then said, "Ok. Give me the mule."
The neighbor pulled the dead mule out of the trailer and asked,
"What are you doing to do with a dead mule?"
Ken said, "I'm going to have a raffle for him."
Neighbor, "No one will by a dead mule!"
Ken said, "We'll see."
About 2 weeks later, the neighbor stopped by.
He asked, "What happened to your raffle?"
Ken said, "Well, I sold 500 tickets at $2 each and made a profit of
$898!"
Neighbor, "WOW! Did anyone complain about the mule being dead?"
Ken, Just the one who won. And I paid him back his $2."

Ken later became the Finance Chairman of the church!))