Titus Chapter 1:7-16/Commentary

Titus Chapter 1:7-16 Titus 1:7 “For 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, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

10For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain. 12One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

13This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, 14not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed”.

The personal qualifications of the elder are now given.

1:7 “For”: Seems to connect this verse with the previous verse. The elder must be the husband of one wife and have children that believe 1

(1:6), for the elder must be blameless. The elder cannot be a bad example in the area of marriage or parenting. “The overseer”: This term is also translated “bishop”. The Greek term here is EPISKOPOS and literally means an overseer. The character of the office of an elder is to oversee the souls of the members (Hebrews 13:17). This is one more passage that reveals that the terms elder and overseer refer to the same office or work. “Must be”: Same as 1 Timothy 3:2. These qualifications are not suggestions, but qualities that a man must have.

“Above reproach”: Same word as in 1:6. The very fact that God repeats this point means that we cannot over look or downplay the importance of blameless men being appointed to this office. It should serve as a warning to a congregation to stick to the qualifications as given and to avoid the temptation to select unqualified men.

1:7 “As God’s steward”: A steward was a household manager; to him the entire management of the household was entrusted by the master including dealing out the proper portion to every servant and all the children in the household. “Explains the position to which the elder is appointed—he is a responsible administrator of the house, the church of the Living God. In the household of New Testament times the most trusted and best-qualified servant was chosen to be the steward or manager of his master’s household. Elders do exercise a certain rule or authority over the lives of the members of the congregation that selected them” (Reese p. 332). Compare with 1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; Luke 16:1. “He is God’s steward (emphatic by position) and is therefore directly accountable to Him. This requires of him a conformity to the highest moral and spiritual qualifications” (Hiebert p.

33). Paul now will mention five negative qualities that the elder must not have.

1:7 “Not self-willed”: “Not having a self-loving spirit which seeks to gratify self in arrogant disregard of others” (Hiebert p. 33). This would include the associated qualities of being headstrong, arrogant, 2

stubborn, and harsh. A man dominated by self-interest and inconsiderate of others. “Not quick-tempered”: A man prone to anger, easily angered, and irritable. The elder is going to be involved in many situations that will test his patience (Titus 1:9). Compare with Proverbs 22:24; 29:22. Reese notes that this is not merely the anger that suddenly blazes up, but is the anger or wrath a man has to nurse to keep warm. It is a long-lived, deliberately nurtured, purposely maintained anger (p. 333). “Easily flaring up in anger; not having his temper under control” (Hiebert p. 33). “Not addicted to wine: Literally, “one who sits alongside wine”; then it came to have a secondary meaning, one addicted to wine, and hence acting under the influence of wine. Wine was clearly recognized as an evil and the bishop must avoid it” (Hiebert p. 33). McGarvey notes that the term here means simply given to wine. “It doubtless contemplates a man who is given to a freer use of wine than was customary among strictly sober people even though he might never become intoxicated” (The Eldership, McGarvey p. 61).

1:7 “Not pugnacious”: “Bruiser, ready with a blow, contentious, quarrelsome” (Thayer p. 516). “Not quick with his fists, not given to acts of bodily violence” (Hiebert p. 33). One who is prone to settle arguments either with violent actions or violent words. “Not fond of sordid gain”: “He who wishes to become rich also wishes to become rich soon”. Greedy for dishonest gain, questionable moneymaking practices. Compare with 1 Timothy 6:9-10; 1 Peter 5:2. “Elders were in a position where the money they got for serving, and the money they were entrusted to administer, could become a serious distraction and temptation. A man whose mind is full of thoughts of amassing money is too preoccupied to be able to function as an honest steward” (Reese pp. 333-334). Elders have control over finances or assets, therefore they must be men free from a love of money, plus they are in a position of influence and could misuse it to further their business connections.

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1:8 “But hospitable”: “Generous to guests” (Thayer p. 654). “A man who is a ‘lover of hospitality’ is one who would have a real concern for the welfare of others” (Reese p. 334). More than a mere ruler of men, he is a companion of the flock, and he is a social person. “The conditions of the times made such hospitality on the part of Christians very important. Believers in their travels could not resort to the homes of heathen or to the public inns without being exposed to insult and danger. It was important that fellow believers offer them hospitality on their way. It was further necessary because Christians were often persecuted and rendered homeless” (Hiebert p. 34). See Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Timothy 5:10; 3 John 5. “Loving what is good”: “Lover of good men” (KJV), “A lover of goodness” (Gspd). Paul had already noted that there are people who actually hate what is good and right, and seek to oppose it at very turn (2 Timothy 3:3). “A heart that finds room for sympathy and involvement with any good, noble, or generous act” (Reese p. 334). An elder should love to see in people what God wants them to be and one who promotes virtue and good works. An ardent supporter of good men, good works, and good causes.

1:8 “Sensible”: “Prudent, thoughtful, self-controlled” (Arndt p. 802).

The sober-minded man then is one who is not flighty or flippant but is an earnest man who seriously considers the things pertaining to this life and life eternal. He thinks clearly and soundly in good logical reasoning.

He is one who can exercise coolness of thought in hard situations. This could include the good judgment or discretion to preserve a confidence and to keep private matters private. He is balanced in this views and actions. He must be careful to avoid making hasty or rash decisions.

“Just”: Honest, fair, impartial, and consistent. He must be willing to gather all the facts, hear all sides, and then render an impartial decision (1 Timothy 5:21). This would also include being upright in this dealings with others in business and other realms. “He is a man of integrity who sticks by his word and who practices what he preaches” (Reese p. 334).

“Devout”: A man who lives a holy and pure life, free from wickedness in 4

thoughts and deeds (1 Timothy 2:8). The term “just” decides how this man treats others and the term “devout” or “holy” describes his relationship with God. The elder is a man who is dedicated to God and His service, he takes the things of God seriously and is very consciousness about keeping God’s commands. He is not one who has a casual relationship with God. 1:8 “Self-controlled”: “That strength of soul by which a man takes a hold of himself, takes a grip of himself, and is in full control and possession of himself. That quality which makes him able to live and to walk in the world, and yet keep his garments unspotted from the world” (Flesh and Spirit, Barclay pp. 121-127). Compare with James 1:27. This would mean that the elder lives a disciplined life. He uses his time wisely, has his thoughts and desires under control, as well as his tongue.

The following will move from positive character traits to what we might call doctrinal qualifications.

1:9 “Holding fast the faithful word”: “Cling to the trustworthy message” (Arndt p. 73). “It signifies the holding fast of true doctrine, in opposition to those who would wrest it from one” (Macknight p. 365).

The only thing that the elder must cling to is what the Bible says, he is under not obligation to cling to or uphold opinion, tradition, or error.

This verse infers that holding on to the truth takes effort, for there will be many temptations to do the opposite. Many make the mistake the thinking that believing, accepting, and retaining the truth is natural or easy. Many will abandon the truth over time as they give into selfish desires (2 Timothy 4:3-4). “The faithful word”: The message that is dependable, reliable, and trustworthy (1 Timothy 1:5; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8). The term “word” applies to the entire revelation of God’s message. “He must be characterized by doctrinal stability. He clings to the faithful word because he knows it to be trustworthy and dependable, not unreliable and treacherous like the spurious teachings of the false teachers” (Hiebert p. 35). Keep this 5

expression in mind when you hear even religious people expressing their doubts about the authenticity or accuracy of the Bible we possess today. “Which is in accordance with the teaching”: “It is in full agreement with the teaching given by the apostles. The statement presupposes the existence of a body of Christian teaching which, in substance if not in form, was already fixed” (Hiebert p. 36). “As he hath been taught” (KJV). Literally, agreeing with the apostolic teaching. The faithful word which is in accordance with the received (2 Timothy 3:14) instruction. Compare with 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Thess. 2:15.

1:9 “So that he will be able”: Holding to the sound doctrine will enable the elder to perform effectively the following tasks. Competent, able or in a position to. “Exhort in sound doctrine”: To give encouragement and comfort with the sound doctrine. The term exhort includes the whole range of beseeching, urging on, comforting, consoling, cheering, stimulating, and admonishing. The sound doctrine is wonderfully adapted to build up the believer in his spiritual life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Instead of using human wisdom or human stories, the elder needs to have confidence in God’s word when it comes to both feeding the sheep and driving away the wolves. “Sound doctrine”: “People are very particular about getting healthful food for the physical body, yet, sadly enough, seem quite unconcerned when they are fed diseased and death-producing doctrine” (Hiebert p. 36).

1:9 “And to refute”: “By conviction to bring to light, to expose” (Thayer p. 203). “Usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame” (Vine p. 239). “And to show the error of those who oppose him” (Gspd); “As well as to refute our opponents” (TCNT); “And overcome the arguments of the doubters” (Bas). “The word means more than reprove; its signifies a presentation of evidence so that the arguments of the opponents are beaten down and proved to be baseless…A firm grasp of the truth is the indispensable preparation to him who would undertake to dispel error” (Hiebert pp. 36-37). This 6

term is also in the present tense which means that the elder will find himself often involved in this process “Those who contradict”: “The talkers back” (Robertson p. 599). These are men who oppose the sound doctrine. “The durative action of both infinitives (exhort and refute) suggests that these are continuing functions, never to be laid aside” (Kent p. 222).

1:10 “For”: This explains both the need and who these men are who are contradicting the truth. “There are many”: (2 Timothy 4:3). Error always has had many voices in its support (1 Kings 19:18; Matthew 7:13-14). “The sad fact that they are numerous makes them all the more dangerous” (Hiebert p. 39). “Rebellious men”: Men who are disobedient and who refuse to subject themselves to God’s standard of truth. Men who refuse to submit to divine authority and lawful authority established by God, that is civil government, parents, or elders. “Empty talkers”: “An idle talker, one who utters empty, senseless things” (Thayer p. 392). Compare with 1 Timothy 1:6; James 1:22. “They are adept at fluent and appealing speech but their talk leads to no constructive good” (Hiebert p. 39). See Romans 16:17-18. “Deceivers”: “Their teaching has a seductive and perilous fascination over the minds of its victims” (Hiebert p. 39). They may not consider themselves to be deceiving men, but that is exactly what they are doing in leading people away from the faith. The battle is for the mind and here we see the important of guarding one’s heart (1 Thess. 5:21-22; Mark 4:24).

“Instead of establishing men in the faith they slowly eroded away their faith” (Reese p. 338). “Especially those of the circumcision”: Many of these false teachers were from a Jewish background. A large number of Jewish people did live on the island of Crete. The term “especially” means, “most of all, above all”.

1:11 “Who must be silenced”: To bridle or stop up the mouth. This is not to be done by force (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), rather the method has already been given in this context (1:9). “It is not that you can stop 7

them from spreading their error, but you can stop it among the flock by so powerfully exposing their error that no Christian will listen to it.

1:11 “Because they are upsetting whole families”: “It is dangerous to allow false teachers to thrive unchallenged” (Reese p. 339). They are like dangerous beasts that need to be muzzled. This verse may imply that the false teachers had been going from house to house. Often error will try to spread its message behind the scenes in a congregation.

Error that is taught privately is just as dangerous as error that is taught publicly. Error upsets families in the sense of undermining the faith of each member and thus moving him or her away from the truth. In addition, many errors actually lead to the breakdown of the family unit.

Compare with 2 Timothy 2:18.

1:11 “Teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain”: “For the sake of dishonest gain” (Gspd). This pinpoints the real motives behind these false teachers, “they were acting as teachers simply for the money they could get out of it. Such income for teaching is sordid or shameful when the teachers are enriching themselves even at the expense of the downfall of their students” (Reese p. 340). “The majority of the false teachers would soon stop if their evil work did not produce financial profits” (Hiebert p. 41). There are shameful and dishonest ways to make money, and God knows that there are people who seek to enrich themselves by teaching people what they want to hear (1 Timothy 6:5).

1:12 “One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said”: Paul here quotes from the poet Epimenides, who among the Romans was reputed to have foretold future events. Poets in the ancient world pretended to possess a kind of inspiration, and the Greeks regarded him to be a prophet. Note that Paul quickly adds “of their own”. Paul does not say a prophet of God, but rather their own prophet, one that they considered to be a prophet. “Epimendies was born in Crete in B.C. 659.

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A legend relates that, going by his father’s order to search for a sheep, he lay down in a cave, where he fell asleep and slept for fifty years. He then appeared with long hair and a flowing beard, and with an astonishing knowledge of medicine and natural history. It was said that he had the power of sending his soul out of his body and recalling it at pleasure, and that he had familiar discourse with the gods and possessed the power of prophecy. He is said to have lived to the age of 157 years. And divine honors were paid him by the Cretans after his death” (Vincent pp. 336-337). “It is said that Epimenides suggested to the Athenians the erection of statutes to ‘unknown gods’ (Acts 17:23)” (Robertson p. 600).

1:12 “Said”: The inhabitants of Crete cannot dismiss what Paul is about to say for it came from one of their own and it came from a man who the entire island revered.

1:12 “Cretans are always liars”: “Always false” (Rhm). Many other ancient writers also bear witness to the dishonesty among the inhabitants of Crete. “The falsehood of the Cretans was proverbial. The expression ‘to Cretize’ meant ‘to lie’” (Hiebert p. 41). They also mention the popular expression, “to lie like a Cretan”. “Evil beasts”: “Savage brutes” (Gspd). “Troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful” (Thayer p. 320). “Rude, cruel, brutal” (Vincent p. 337). “It implies brutality, stupidity, unreasonableness” (P.P. Comm. p. 4).

Compare with 1 Corinthians 15:32. “Their wild, fierce nature, their ferocity, their love of cruelty” (Hiebert p. 41). “What is implied is that Cretans would push anyone out of the way in order to gain an advantage for themselves” (Reese p. 341). “Lazy gluttons”: “A life of dull gluttony and slothful sensuality. Instead of living for the beautiful things of the spiritual life, they lived for their own appetites” (Reese p.

342). “All hungry belly and nothing else” (Knox). Compare with Philippians 3:19. “The expression is used of those who, by indulging 9

their bodily appetites, become corpulent and indolent. When was there ever an upright Cretan? Asks Leonides in an Epigram” (Reese pp.

341-342).

1:13 “This testimony is true”: Not that everything this “prophet” said was true, but this specific statement indeed is true. It was true when this man spoke and some 600 years later when Paul writes, it is still true. I am impressed that God faces the facts and refuses to tone down the truth. Some have criticized Paul here for being “untactful”. We need to understand that there is really no “tactful way” of dealing with such rebellion.

1:13 “For this reason reprove them severely”: The term “severely” means abruptly, curtly, in a manner that cuts, hence sharply.

“Rigorously” (Arndt p. 101). “He was to call things by their right names, and not to spare faults” (Barnes p. 272). “So that they may be sound in the faith”: Here is the purpose and the goal. There are times when saving someone, when loving someone, demands a sharp rebuke. “The attitude of some church members is, ‘It makes no difference what you believe, just so you sincerely believe it’. Paul would not agree with that foolish philosophy. It makes all the difference between life and death whether or not one believes the truth of the Word or believes lies” (Reese p. 343). Just like a surgeon must cut away diseased flesh to save the patient, so Titus must issue a sharp rebuke to save the souls of these members.

1:14 “Not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth” The rebuke that would lead to members being sound in the faith also includes the deliberate exposure and rejection of Jewish myths and human commandments. One cannot be sound in the faith and at the same time holding on to such false doctrines. The expression “Jewish fables” means fables that had a Jewish origin, “and not study Jewish 10

fiction” (Gspd); “may pay no attention to Jewish legends” (TCNT). “Not paying attention” is a continuous action, a habit pattern, and a repeated action. Compare with 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4. Please note that adding human commandments to the truth is unacceptable to God (Matthew 15:1-9). Paul does not believe that the Christian can embrace error just as long as he or she holds on to basic fundamental teachings.

1:15 “To the pure, all things are pure”: The passage is not teaching that all things are right and lawful for the Christian, or that whatever he may choose to do will be regarded as pure. Neither is it teaching that as long as we think something is pure then it is pure. The expression “all things” does not refer to things that are sinful (1 Timothy 1:9-11). This verse is teaching, among other things, that those who are pure in heart, the faithful Christian, is a person who keeps everything in its proper context. The Christian does not try to label as impure what is not. Thus the Christian will not bind various food laws (1 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 8:8).

1:15 “But to those who are defiled”: This term means to pollute, or contaminate. Jewish false teachers reckoned themselves as the only holy people on earth and here Paul labels them as being defilement.

This defiled came as a result of rejecting God’s truth (Hebrews 12:15; Jude 8). “Unbelieving”: They are faithless because they have rejected the truth. One cannot be a believer and yet spurn God’s revelation at the same time. “Nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled”: “Nothing is pure to the tainted minds of disbelievers” (NEB); “but a person whose own heart is evil and untrusting finds evil in everything” (Tay). To such people, things that were good, like marriage and food become evil (1 Timothy 4:3-4).

“Their mind”: The reason, the rational part, and their intellectual apprehension. “Their conscience”: “Their conscience has lost its sense of discrimination between the innocent and the criminal” (Gr. Ex. N.T. p.

190). “Defilement of the mind means that the thoughts, wishes, 11

purposes are all defiled, corrupt. When the conscience is defiled the last safeguard of the soul is broken down” (Lipscomb pp. 269-270). In following such false doctrines these men and women were irrational in their thoughts and their consciences had become completely unable to tell the difference between what was innocent and what was sinful.

False teaching often ends up confusing good and evil (Isaiah 5:20).

1:16 “They profess to know God”: That is, they are continually (present tense) claiming that they are faithful to God. Please note that God here tells us that just because someone claims to be a Christian or serving God does not mean that we have to believe them. “They openly place themselves within the ranks of Christians. Their public confession is that they are fully informed about God” (Hiebert p. 45).

1:16 “But by their deeds they deny Him”: One is judged not on the basis of what one professes but on the basis of how one lives. Their deeds would include the false doctrine they were teaching as well as other habits. “Being detestable”: “Objects or causes of disgust” (P.P. Comm. p. 4). See Luke 16:15. “Disobedient”: “Unwilling to be persuaded, spurning belief” (Romans 1:30) (Thayer p. 319). They love their Jewish myths and are sticklers for the commandments of men, but they refuse teaching based on God’s word. Please note that these people would seem to be very dedicated and religious, yet they are lost.

“Worthless for any good deed”: As long as they held to their false doctrines and false motivation, God could not use them for His good works (Ephesians 2:10). The term worthless means unfit and not standing the test. Yet remember these individuals would have claimed that they were doing and accomplishing many “good” deeds. We need to remember that the important thing is being involved in what God labels as good works (2 Timothy 3:16) and not what man labels as good works.

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