Titus 1

1. From Paul, God's servant and apostle of Jesus Christ in the faith which is given by God to the ones He has called and to those who are agreeing with the truth and godly living.

Some versions translate the word “called” here as “the elect.” The original word is “called-out.” We are called by the inner voice of the Holy Spirit to come to Christ (John 6:44).

Strong Calvinists use the word “elect” to suggest the idea that only certain people were created to be saved. In their view, the non-elect were created to be lost in hell.

First of all, Peter shows us that this is not true.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for ALL to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

These Calvinists are like the Pharisees who did not want certain people to be saved. Some people would disagree with the idea that Calvinists believe this, but some have changed 2 Peter 3:9 to say, “God is not willing that any nation should perish.” See also Acts 17:30, 1 Timothy 2:4.

There are no Greek manuscripts that have the word “nation” in this passage. We are in danger when we change God's Word so that we can push our personal beliefs onto others.

Revelation 22:18 says, “ I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book.”

We know that this is speaking of the prophecies in Revelation but this same idea applies to the entire Bible.

Secondly, we are created with a free will. This means that even though all of mankind is called, they can choose to ignore this calling. Calling someone does not mean forcing them to come. Those who disagree, and say we do not have a free will, need to explain the Scriptures that speak of making your own choice. Matthew 16:24

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve...” Joshua 24:15

If we did not have a free will then we would just be as robots. God is not seeking robots who have been programmed to say that they love Him. Who would want to listen to someone who has been forced to say that they loved you? Real love can only exist when there is a choice.

Finally, Calvinists say that if we do not believe these things then we must think that God is not all-powerful. They say that unless He can force us to love Him then He is not all-powerful.

Paul answers this, “What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?” Romans 9:22

Of course, a Calvinist will say, “Paul is saying that there are people who were created only to be destroyed!”

The answer is that hell was NOT created for humans but prepared for the devil (Matthew 25:41). This means that those who reject Christ are purposely choosing to go to a place that God never planned for them to go.

“All the day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and rebellious people.” Romans 10:21

Why would God stretch out His hands if He wanted to force us to come to Him?

If we are saved because God decided that only robots would be saved, then there is no need for faith, and the entire Bible could be questioned for speaking of coming to God in faith.

2. In the confidence of eternal life which God promised us before the beginning of the world and He cannot lie!

The Greeks did not have a specific word for “eternity” but they used the idea of continued ages or eons. This suggests an idea of the kind of life we have as Christians. We live knowing that we will be with God forever. Those who do not know the Lord live as if there is nothing after death, so they have no confidence in anything except what they can see around them. Our eternity-focused way of life attracts people because they can see the difference.

Another idea in this verse is that Paul is showing the contrast between men who are liars and God who exists only in truth.

3. God promised that there would be a specific time in history to make His Word known by declaring it through men as was committed to me by the Lord.

Paul was told that he was being sent to those who were not Jews. Acts 9:15

We receive faith, which is a witness that what we hear is true, when God's Word is spoken to us.

Faith comes by hearing the message and hearing comes when the Word of God is spoken. Romans 10:17

4. To Titus, my true son in the same faith. Grace and peace to you from God the
Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

This shows us that Paul led Titus to faith in Christ. Paul speaks of Timothy in the same way.
See also 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2.

5. The reason I left you in Crete, was because there are things that still need to be done. Ordain elders in every town in the same way that I ordained you.

Acts 2:11, 20:17, 1 Timothy 3:6

Amos 9:7 tells us that the Cretans were the ancestors of the Philistines.

In 1 Timothy 5:22, we are told not to be in a hurry to ordain anybody.

6 - 9

Look for men who have nothing to be accused of and who have only one wife and believing children. Men who do not love wine but have self-control. Men who are not looking for an argument. Men who are not greedy but show hospitality. Men who are fair-minded. Men who are able to teach others. Men who are able to walk together with others teaching them healthy doctrine. Men who are able to answer those who question their teaching.

The same kind of list is seen in 1 Timothy 3. See 1 Timothy 3:2-12, Proverbs 14:7.

Character

A leader should be someone who knows who he is and what is assignments in life are.

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of." Luke 9:55

Sound Doctrine

See 1 Timothy 6:3.

Gifting

The Word here used for walking together is “parakaleo” which is a similar word to how the Holy Spirit is described. The English word is “exhorter.” It is speaking of someone who knows how to come alongside of and encourage others. This gift is found in Romans 12:8. This implies that someone with this gift would make a good leader.

Teaching

We should know better than to teach our own opinions instead of God's word.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater judgment. James 3:1

1 Peter 3:15 Tells us to be ready to answer those who question what we believe.

10. There are many men who do not make any sense when they talk, (especially among those Jews who are mixing Christianity with Judaism) and who refuse to listen to authority.

1 Timothy 1:4-9

Be careful to notice that, almost everywhere Paul traveled, there were Jews who followed him and taught the people that they could not be saved unless they kept the Jewish laws.

11. Their mouths must be stopped. Because they destroy families and try to get money from them.

1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Corinthians 14:40

The early Christians had a test for people like this. If a teacher asked for food or money, he was said to be a false teacher.

God does not need his teachers to beg for money. In fact, God can supply or hold back money to guide us into what we should be doing. Any teacher who is asking for money should be a red flag to us.

Hudson Taylor said that if God's work is done in God's way it will never lack for provision.

12. One of their own prophets has said that the men of Crete are always liars, evil animals, lazy and greedy.

Psalms 116:11

Paul is quoting the “prophet” Epimenides. Epimenides is thought to be the man who was asked by the Athenians what they should do about the plague. He told them to turn a flock of sheep loose, and wherever they stop to graze, the Athenians should build an altar to the unknown God. Paul was very aware of the story and used it to get the attention of the Athenians in Acts 17:23.

13. These are true words. For this reason, interrupt them and convince them. Teach them how to have faith that is healthy.

The best way to show people how to have healthy faith is to live it yourself. When God allows trials and temptations in our lives, is not only to teach us something, but to show those who are watching us what healthy faith looks like.

14. Teach them not to listen to old Jewish stories and commandments made by men. These things turn people away from the truth.

Matthew 15:9, 1 Timothy 1:4, 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:4, 2 Peter 1:16

Jewish stories are found in the Midrash or the Haggadah. An example is the myth that a rock followed the children of Israel through the wilderness. In 1 Corinthians 10:4 Paul used this story to make the point that there was another rock (Jesus) which the Jews were ignorant of.

15. Everything is clean to those who keep their minds clean. But everything is dirty to those who have invited dirt into their minds and consciences.

Matthew 15:11, Acts 10:15, Romans 14:14

We live in a world that is like Sodom and Gomorrah. We have to be on guard every day against the garbage and suggestions of the world. The only way to stay clean is to keep our minds so full of Scripture that there is no room for garbage.

16. They say that they are following God but their lives go against what they are saying. On the inside their hearts are dirty and rebellious. They do not know how to do anything that is good or helpful.

John 8:54-55, 2 Timothy 3:5

We need to see that these people are bound with chains. Paul tells us (2 Timothy 2:25) that we should gently teach those who are working against themselves. Remember that they are only doing what they know how to do. We must gently persuade them to listen to the truth. Do not push people into a corner when you are speaking to them of Christ, but let them know that you care about them and explain to them how much God loves them.