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.
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
(καιρός – Greek) – kairos ► 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
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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?
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2. Why is character so important?
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3. Carefully consider each aspect described in Titus 1:6-9. What are the most important for church leadership?
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4. Looking at the definitions for sensible and self controlled, why is there such redundancy?
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5. The word order in Titus_1:9 ► in the original Greek puts emphasis on “holding onto the Word”, why is that so important?
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