" 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" (Titus 1:5)
In many respects, Paul's letter to Titus - his student and a leader of the church on the island of Crete - echoes the themes found in the first letter to Timothy. The apostle addresses many tough challenges facing Titus as an overseer of the Cretan churches. He lists criteria for qualifications of leadership, describes sound teaching, and encourages good works. The listed qualifications for leadership are virtually the same as those of 1st Timothy 3:1-7, including monogamy, patience, honesty, and love of others (1:6-9). Paul then warns of false teachers, both the ignorant and the malicious. These people present a danger to the church, especially for new believers and young churches, because they corrupt faith and eventually discredit the church.
Paul then instructs Titus on the proper way to teach various groups within the church. He calls for older men to provider strong examples to the young, being "sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience" (2:2). Likewise, the older women are to set examples for the younger women, especially in refraining from gossip and indulgence and teaching good family morals. The young men are to exercise self-control and integrity, so that no one will look down upon them. Paul finally provides a reminder on how Christians should conduct themselves with obedience, goodness, peace, and humility. Those who claim belief in Jesus, but do not show it by their godly actions, are in fact "abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work" (1:16). Instead, we are to remember that "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (2:11-12). The underscore the message, he says again, "those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works" (3:8).
Paul then instructs Titus on the proper way to teach various groups within the church. He calls for older men to provider strong examples to the young, being "sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience" (2:2). Likewise, the older women are to set examples for the younger women, especially in refraining from gossip and indulgence and teaching good family morals. The young men are to exercise self-control and integrity, so that no one will look down upon them. Paul finally provides a reminder on how Christians should conduct themselves with obedience, goodness, peace, and humility. Those who claim belief in Jesus, but do not show it by their godly actions, are in fact "abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work" (1:16). Instead, we are to remember that "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (2:11-12). The underscore the message, he says again, "those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works" (3:8).
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