Keys of Truth: Titus (Chapter 1)

Introduction to Titus

Author: The Apostle Paul. This is the third of his so-called Pastoral Epistles, giving advice and guidance to a young pastor.

Date of writing: A.D. 66. Paul was probably released from his first Roman imprisonment (described in Acts) around A.D. 62. He then traveled about freely, writing First Timothy and Titus. He seems to have been arrested suddenly in Troas (2 Tim. 4:13) and sent back to Rome from which he wrote Second Timothy. Nero put Paul to death in A.D. 67.

Theme: Truth silences error. Paul sent Titus to the island of Crete (1:5) to silence deceitful men who apparently had done great damage to the church (1:10-11). Titus was to carry out his assignment by appointing elders in each church (1:5) who were able to teach sound doctrine (1:9), and by Titus himself engaging in sound teaching (2:1).

Purpose: Paul wrote to Titus to teach him how to deal with the dissension and deceptions within the church at Crete, particularly to tell him the caliber of people needed as church leader.

1) Pastors and other church leaders are called to lead God’s people to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to a godly life.

2) We must have the confidence of eternal life. God, who never lies promises the believer this.

3) The truth of eternal life must be share in every era, by the spreading of God’s word.

4) We must develop a genuine child like faith.

5) Leaders that are appointed in the Church must be spiritual.

6) The chosen spiritual leaders must have a good reputation; have one spouse and children who are believers and respectful. The leaders’ children should not be known for living wildly and being rebellious.

7) The person chosen for leadership must not be stubborn, irritable or violent.

8) The leader cannot be known for making money in shameful ways.

9) Those in leadership must be kind, love what is a good, a user of good judgment, fair and honest and have self-control.

10) The leader must be devoted to the message taught in the Word of God.

11) The leader must be able to use the Word of God to encourage and teach people; correcting those that oppose the Word of God.

12) Some that say they believe will be rebellious; speaking nonsense and being deceived.

13) However, these people must be silenced before whole families are ruined.

14) The leader must correct people so that they continue to have faith that is alive and well.

15) Do not pay attention to lies, fables and myths, told by people who openly reject the truth.

16) To corrupt unbelievers nothing is right, clean or holy.

17) These people claim to know God, but they deny Him by what they do; they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.