4To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 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,
Interesting Words
bond-servant
(δοῦλος – Greek) – doulos ► bond-slave, servant, slave, bondservant, properly, someone who belongs to another; a bond-slave, without any ownership rights of their own, willing choice (voluntary – Exod 21:5,6) – James 1:1; Rom 6:19;
apostle
(ἀπόστολος – Greek) – apostolos ► a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way, especially a man sent out by Jesus Christ Himself to preach the Gospel; an apostle.
faith of those chosen
knowledge of the truth
• (ἐπίγνωσις – Greek) – epignósis ► full knowledge, discernment, recognition, knowledge gained through first-hand relationship, precise and correct knowledge; – John 17:3
• (ἀλήθεια – Greek) – alétheia ► truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man – John 6:45, 8:31-32, 14:6,
promised
(ἐπαγγέλλομαι – Greek) – epaggellomai ► to promise, to proclaim, to announce, (from epí, “on, fitting” intensifying aggellō, “announce”), properly, to declare a promise that is fitting (apt), i.e. legitimately applies, describes the act of making promises, particularly those made by God to His people – Rom 4:21; Gal 3:19; 2Peter 1:4;
proper
(καιρός – Greek) – kairos ► fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time, suitable time, the right moment – Rom 5:6; 2Cor 6:2;
proclamation
(κήρυγμα – Greek) – kérugma ► proclamation, preaching, hearlding, message, especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself – 1Cor 1:21; 2:4; 2Tim 4:17;
Cross References
▪︎ At the proper time – Heb 1:1-2;
▪︎ Jesus’ challenge – John 20:21;
▪︎ Paul’s challenge – 2Tim 2:2;
Discussion Questions
1. Put yourself in Tutus’ place. How does Paul’s use of the term bond-servant make you feel?
▪︎ It transfers all appreciation for what Paul is doing to God, since Paul did not initiate the concern and care but God was the initiator.
▪︎ It makes me more intune with and responsive to what Paul says and does since it is God’s message.
▪︎ Since Titus as obviously a follower of Paul, it probably motivated him to be more committed to Christ.
▪︎ It made him humble, knowing the strength and power that Paul displayed is a mear fraction of his capacity.
2. How about the use of the term apostle?
▪︎ What a preveledge to be taught and counseled by one who actually saw the Lord physically in person.
▪︎ What a challenge to be in at the ground floor on such an earth changing ministry, in any capacity.
▪︎ This too requires faith on Titus’ part. And, on our part as well. We do not blindly follow Paul’s lead, but compare his teaching to the whole Scripture and either agree or disagree. We walk by faith not by sight, 2Cor 5:7; Rom 1:16, 17;
3. In Titus 1:1, Paul has a compound purpose statement (using the words “for” and “and”). What was Christ’s purpose for calling Paul?
The faith of those chosen:
▪︎ to present the gospel with the clarity God intends – 2Tim 4:2; Col1: 25, 26, 27, 28;
▪︎ to take it to the ends of the earth by the most efficient means possible at the time (by foot, word of mouth, printed page, radio, TV, internet, etc.) – Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15;
▪︎ not to be a judge but a simple witness to the truth of the gospel presented – John 9:25; 1Peter 3:15;
The knowledge of the truth:
▪︎ to foster the knowledge of the truth – Phil 3:10-11; John 17:3;
▪︎ to teach new Christians in the Scriptures and to motivate them to obey the Word – 1Peter 2:2-3; 5:2;
▪︎ to teach everyone in the logical interpretation of the Scripture, and in sound doctrine – Matt 28:19-20;
▪︎ to discern truth and guard against false teaching and error – Acts 20:29-30; Matt 24:4-5;
▪︎ This truth provides everything needed for life – 2Peter 1:3, 4;
4. Titus 1:2 amplifies this purpose. Explain how.
Hope of eternal life:
▪︎ Hope is fulfilled in faith – Heb 11:1, 6;
▪︎ Hope seen is not hope – Rom 8:24-25;
▪︎ The role for Titus and other mature believers is to help new Christians understand that faith is vital to life – 2Cor 5:7; Rom 1:16, 17;
Promised Long ages ago:
▪︎ Promised in the Word – Heb 1:1-2; 2Peter 1:19;
▪︎ Fulfilled prophesy of the Messiah – Micah 5:2; Isa 9:6; Isa 53:6;
▪︎ These promises provide everything needed for life – 2Peter 1:3, 4;
5. How does Paul introduce the concept of time in Titus 1:2? Related to hope? Related to promise? And related to long ages ago?
▪︎ Hope implies a future state of time that delivers a promised outcome… it will be better later – Rom 8:24-25
▪︎ Hope in based on promises given in the past – Heb 1:1;
▪︎ God promises eternal life which goes beyond time into the spiritual realm – John 17:3;
▪︎ Promises are sometimes dependent on our efforts to accomplish our end of the bargain –
► believe/receive- John 1:11-12
► obedience – John 14:21
► love – John 13:34-35
6. What is implied by Paul’s use of the word “proper” in Titus 1:3?
▪︎ God has a very specific plan for this world and for each of us individually – Heb 1:2
▪︎ He also has a specific plan to draw each of His children to faith – John 6:44; 2Cor 6:2;
▪︎ God has the perfect plan for each of His children, to sanctify us in His word – Jer 29:11;
▪︎ From birth (Jer 1:5), from before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), He has been executing that plan perfectly.
7. What was the role that Paul was looking for Titus to fulfill?
▪︎ Paul hoped that Titus would perfectly fit into the role that God had for him within the body of Christ.
▪︎ He hoped he would take up the challenge given to the apostles after the resurrection in John 20:21, to take up and fulfill the ministry of Christ – Col 1:24;
▪︎ He must have hoped Titus would take up the call made to Timothy (2Tim 2:2) to find other faithful men whom he could disciple, who would in turn disciple others to do the same.
▪︎ He was probably being influenced to be a man of truth, a man of integrity, a man like Paul.
▪︎ He must have had similar goals for Titus as Peter expressed in 1Peter 5:1, 2-3.
2Cor 2:13; Acts 14:23, 20:28;