Book of Titus
This is another pastoral-type letter, like the ones written to Timothy, by Paul written around 63 A.D. This is written to Titus to put things in order for the appointing of elders. Paul wants the church to grow in faith, in knowledge of the truth, and increasing in godly living. Paul also writes about false teachers, as usual, because he wants them silenced. Paul stresses good, sound doctrine, which should continue to be the aim of each pastor and teacher.
Starting the letter, Paul greets Titus, before talking about the qualifications of elders. Therefore, Titus was to appoint elders in every city. The elders needed to be blameless, married to one wife, and have faithful children who are not unruly. For bishops, they had to be blameless, not self-willed, meek, not given to wine, not a brawler (or striker like other texts), and not given to lucre (money). ln addition, bishops should be hospitable, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, steadfast in the faithful Word, and a teacher.
Next, Paul instructs how to deal with false teachers. Paul wants their mouths to be stopped, and that they should be sharply rebuked. After that, Paul teaches Titus should speak sound doctrine. Also, that the aged men and women (elders probably), should be sober, grave, temperate, and sound in faith and love and patience. Aged women should especially behave in holiness, not accuse falsely, not given to much wine, and teach good things. They should also teach young women to be sober, to love their husbands and children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and obedient to their own husbands. Young men should be like the young women in the same way. All should have a pattern of good works, as well as other things. Paul also instructs concerning servants, which usually centers on the topic of respect.
Next, Paul teaches Titus to make the people obedient to higher authority, to be good overall, and without sin and unrighteous acts. Paul finishes the letter emphasizing god works that the members of the church should learn to maintain good works for necessary use$. After that, Paul does his quick farewell to end the letter to Titus.
The pastoral letters to Titus and Timothy both emphasize good, sound doctrine, without false teaching. Both pastors were very much warned against false teachers and Paul made it very clear to watch out for them. Titus was left in Crete to set elders in order, so Paul wanted things to be done right. With an emphasis commonly in Paul's letters of faith, hope, and love - we see the same type of teachings here. Seemed like a lot of Paul's ministry work centered on faith, hope, and love. This brought a good, solid foundation for the church - that sadly, has rarely been adopted. Even with the foundation in place, people still planted churches in future generations centered on legalism and Old Testament Law, rather than God's grace and love through Jesus Christ and the beautiful blessings that each of His people acquire. God plants His grace on people, because He loves them.
