5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Interesting Words
set in order
(ἐπιδιορθόω – Greek) – epidiorthoó ► To set in order, to correct, to amend. From epi and a derivative of orthos; to straighten further, – only used once in the NT.
what remains
(ἐπιδιορθόω – Greek) – epidiorthoó ► To set in order, to correct, to amend. From epi and a derivative of orthos; to straighten further, – only used once in the NT.
above reproach
(ἀνέγκλητος – Greek) – anegklétos ► Blameless, above reproach, unaccused, irreproachable – 1Cor 1:8; Col 1:22; 1Tim 3:10;
accused
(κατηγορία – Greek) – κατηγορία ► Accusation, charge, complaint (“category”), i.e. criminal charge, (from κατήγορος, Accuser, Rev 12:10) – 1Tim 5:19;
dissipation
(ἀσωτία – Greek) – asótia ► Dissipation, debauchery, profligacy, reckless living, from a compound of a negative particle and a presumed derivative of sozo; properly, unsavedness – Eph 5:18; 1Peter 4:4;
rebellion
(ἀνυπότακτος – Greek) – anupotaktos ► Rebellious, insubordinate, not subject to rule, unsubdued, i.e. insubordinate (in fact or temper) – 1Tim 1:9; Heb 2:8;
steward
(οἰκονόμος – Greek) – oikonomos ► Steward, Manager, Administrator, treasurer, from oíkos, “house, household” and nemō, “to allot, apportion” – Luke 12:42-43; 1Cor 4:1-2; 1Peter 4:10;
self-willed
(αὐθάδης – Greek) – authadés ► Self-willed, arrogant, stubborn, from αὐτός, “himself” and the base of ἡδονή , “pleasures”, self-pleasing, i.e. arrogant – 2Peter 2:10;
fond of sordid gain
(αἰσχροκερδής – Greek) – aischrokerdés ► Greedy for dishonest gain, given to filthy lucre, disgraceful gain – 1Tim 3:3, 8;
hospitable
(φιλόξενος – Greek) – philoxenos ► Hospitable, from philos and xenos; fond of guests, – 1Tim 3:2; 1Peter 4:9;
loving what is good
(φιλάγαθος – Greek) – philagathos ► Lover of good, loving what is good, from philos and agathos; fond of good – used once in NT.
sensible
(σώφρων – Greek) – sóphrón ► Sober-minded, self-controlled, temperate, prudent, discreet, from the base of sózó, “saved” and that of phrén, “thinking” – 1Tim 3:2; Titus 2:2, 5;
self controlled
• (ἐγκρατής – Greek) – egkratés ► adjective – Self-controlled, temperate (in appetite), strong in a thing (masterful) – used once in NT, here in Titus 1:8;
• (ἐγκράτεια – Greek) – egkrateia ► noun – Self-control, temperance (in appetite), strong in a thing (mastery) – Acts 24:25; Gal 5:22-23; 2Peter 1:6;
Cross References
▪︎
Teach those who have the potential to teach others – 2Tim 2:2;
▪︎ Holding onto the word – Phil 2:16;
▪︎ The sacred word of life- 1John 1:1;
▪︎ Proclaim the word – 1John 1:2, 3;
Discussion Questions
1. Put yourself in Titus’ shoes, a lot of very small churches across the whole island of Crete. What’s your strategy?
▪︎ I would start by praying for God to reveal true leaders
▪︎ Then, visit every church on the island to confirm vital info about each one:
► integrity, commitment
► Biblical knowledge
► do they meet the qualifications
▪︎ Continue to pray for them, their growth, sanctification, and maturity
▪︎ Feed them with Biblical truth as each church grows and matures.
▪︎ ortho = para = close beside for training
▪︎ being filled with the Spirit, preach the word.
2. Why is character so important?
▪︎ Character is the first layer built on the foundation of Christ. Everything else is built upon that.
▪︎ Trials through obedience validates and verifies the quality of Christ’s building in our lives – 1Cor_3:10-15
▪︎ Character as seen through obedience is the only true validation that Christ has changed a life – James_2:14-26
18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. 24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
▪︎ Character is important because we represent Christ. it matters to Ambassidors – 2Cor 5:20.
3. Carefully consider each aspect described in Titus 1:6-9. What are the most important for church leadership?
▪︎ above reproach – not flawless but flawless; certainly, no intentional, no current, ongoing sin.
▪︎ strong family – one strong wife spiritually, believing children. All walking with God.
▪︎ not accused – no current, outstanding accusations, either criminal or otherwise, that can be used by satan.
▪︎ no dissipation – no reckless living, but sound in judgement, conduct pursuant to being saved.
▪︎ no rebellion – certainly not rebellious toward God, and favorable toward governments, and circumstances.
▪︎ God’s steward – conscious of and willing to manage God’s resources given to His church.
▪︎ not self-willed – open to and welcoming contributions and guidance from others.
▪︎ not quick-tempered – rational, calm, temperate, smooth, suave
▪︎ not addicted – clear headed, not addicted to any substance.
▪︎ not pugnatious – easy going, adaptable, deferential, open to suggestions
▪︎ not fond of sordid gain – no get rich quick schemes, no untoward methods or schemes
▪︎ hospitable – likeable, open to visitors, invites others over to their house frequently.
▪︎ loving what’s good – meanable to things that are wholesome, cringes at unwholesome and sacreligous.
▪︎ sensible – reasonable, having good common sense, of sound mind , solid thinker.
▪︎ just – fair to everyone, transactions that are fair to everyone involved, no prejudices.
▪︎ devout – thinking of God at all times, looking for and following God in everything, always.
▪︎ self-controlled – not jerked around by impulses, goal oriented, driven toward God’s desires.
▪︎ holding fast the Word – Defines everything by the Holy Scripture:
► daily interaction with the word, quite times
► memorizes and meditates on the word
► takes note of what God says to him
► apt to teach, readily speaks of lessons in the Bible
► major goal is communicating the gospel to those around him – Matt 28:19-20.
4. Looking at the definitions for sensible and self controlled, why is there such redundancy?
▪︎ “saved thinking” should be our primary goal, our number 1 activity
▪︎ temperance is taking time only for God and His goals. No room for thr frivolous.
▪︎ no large appetites except for God, nothing else lurking in the background.
▪︎ masterful, seeks perfection (mastery) in everything he does and is involved in. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.
5. The word order in Titus_1:9 ► in the original Greek puts emphasis on “holding onto the Word”, why is that so important?
▪︎ The Word of God is our only, safe connection into God’s kingdom. God speaks to thru His word. We need to cherish that connection and make it our priority.
▪︎ We are to protect against anything that would get in the way of God communicating thru His word to us. Sin in all its forms breaks the line of communication; consequently, we need to maintain short accounts and confess any sin that God reveals to as soon as we are told about it – Ps 139:23-24; 1John 1:9
▪︎ We are challenged to prioritize and faithfully teach those things that are “according to” the things that are in agreement with the whole teaching of scripture, i.e. the gospel of God – Gal 1:6-7, 8, 11-12; 1Cor 4:6;
▪︎ References about the word of God – 2Tim 3:16-17; Josh 1:8;
▪︎ References about God communicating with man – John 5:19