Bible Study Class 105 - Titus Chapter 1: Qualifications Of Bishop & Elders In The Church; Warnings Against False Teachers

Posted : 3 May, 2011 06:01 PM

Bible Study Class 105 - Titus Chapter 1: Qualifications Of Bishops & Elders In The Church; Warning Against False Teachers by David Guzik

A. Introduction and greeting: Where Paul stands.

1. (Verse 1) The Apostle Paul, author of this letter to Titus.

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

a. Paul: In writing his own name first, Paul follows the letter-writing customs of his day: first the writer is mentioned, then the reader, then a greeting is given.

i. Why did the apostle Paul write this letter? Paul and Titus worked together in Crete, spreading the gospel and establishing churches, but Paul had to leave. Titus stayed, working among the congregations there. Since Titus was left behind to do a difficult work, Paul wants to instruct and encourage him - and he does so with this letter.

ii. Later, two other Christian workers (Zenas and Apollos, mentioned in Titus 3:13) were on their way to Crete, so Paul sent this letter with them.

iii. This letter was written to Titus, but it was also written to the Christians on the island of Crete. Paul knew this letter would be publicly read among the churches on the island. So, In this structure of opening the letter, Paul takes great care to tell the Christians of Crete what his credentials are, and where he stands on important issues.

iv. Paul wasn't afraid to tell us his credentials and where he stood. Paul didn't think like a politician, who always responds to what the crowd wants and to what pleases the crowd.

b. Paul, a bondservant of God: Of all the titles Paul could used, he first chose bondservant of God. If Paul had a modern day business card, that would be his title on the card.

i. Significantly, when Paul uses the term bondservant, he chose the ancient Greek word doulos, which was not only a low slave (one Greek scholar called it "the most abject, servile term in use among the Greeks for a slave"), it was also the word for a slave by choice.

ii. Paul is only a bondservant - yet he has a high place, because He is a bondservant of God. It is never a low thing to be a servant of a great God!

c. And an apostle of Jesus Christ: God gave Paul a special role to play among His servants. Paul's particular call and function was as a special messenger of God - an apostle.

i. We are all servants, but we each have our different particular call and function. Paul knew his call and purpose among the body of Christ; do we know ours?

d. Paul stands according to the faith: Paul isn't an apostle because of the faith of God's elect, but in harmony with the faith (a specific, common body of doctrine) shared among God's elect.

i. Who are God's elect? God's elect are those who He chose from before the foundation of the world to receive His salvation.

ii. How do we identify God's elect? They respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and live their lives after that gospel.

e. Paul stands with the acknowledgement of the truth: For Paul it wasn't enough to just know the faith, he also had to acknowledge it for what it really is.

f. Paul stands in accord with godly living (which accords with godliness). All truth is God's truth; but not all truth is really relevant to godliness, which promotes "God-likeness". Much of science or psychology may be true and admirable - but it won't save your soul from Hell. It is not the truth which accords with godliness.

2. (Verse 2) Paul stands in the hope of eternal life.

In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

a. Eternal life is the life of the Eternal God living within us. It is present now, but will be completed later.

b. Which God, who cannot lie, promised: This eternal life is not a wish, but a hope. In this sense, hope is an anticipation founded not on wishful thinking, but on a promise from the God who cannot lie.

3. (Verse 3) Paul stands in support of preaching the word.

But has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

a. But in due time manifested His word through preaching: Paul knew that preaching is the way that God's eternal work meets people today. Preaching is the way God's word is made evident (manifested).

b. Which was committed to me: Paul knew the work of preaching was entrusted to him, but not to him only. Preaching is a work committed to all believers.

4. (Verse 4) The reader: Titus, Paul's convert and his true (faithful) son.

To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

a. A true son in our common faith: Paul stands in support of a common faith. It is a common faith, not an isolated one. Paul is for the church, and the community of all believers.

b. Grace, mercy, and peace: In his greeting, Paul uses words typical for a greeting in the ancient world. But when Paul used these words, they were not used just as a formality, because Paul knows the source of all grace, mercy, and peace. They come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

i. God the Father and God the Son share in the gift of salvation. "The Son has brought to us salvation from the Father, and the Father has bestowed it through the Son." (Calvin)

B. Paul's mission for Titus.

1. (Verse 5) Titus' challenge.

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you;

a. For this reason I left you in Crete: After a successful evangelistic campaign on the island of Crete, there were a lot of young Christians to take care of. Paul left Titus behind to build stable churches with mature, qualified pastors for the people. This was especially needed in Crete, because the people of Crete were a wild bunch, well known as liars and lazy pigs. Titus had to find and train great pastors for the Christians of the island of Crete.

b. Titus had to set in order the things that are lacking: The church needs order and leadership. Titus was commanded to set in order the churches, and to do it by appointing godly leaders.

c. And appoint elders in every city: Paul told Titus to appoint elders, who are also called bishops in Titus 1:7. The word elder is used broadly in the New Testament, mainly describing the maturity necessary in leaders. Elders and bishops describe pastors over congregations in different cities on Crete.

d. Appoint elders: This means Paul delegated a lot of authority to Titus. These elders were not chosen by popular vote, and they were not chosen through their own self-promotion. It was Titus' job to look for men of the kind of character Paul will describe in the following passage and appoint them as elders in congregations.

i. The list in the following passage means that God has specific qualifications for leaders in the church. Leaders should not to be chosen at random, or just because they volunteer, or because they aspire to the position, or even because they are "natural leaders." Leaders should be chosen because they match the qualifications listed here. It is fine if a man thinks he is "called." But is he qualified?

ii. The qualifications for leadership in the following passage have nothing to do with giftedness. Paul didn't say to Titus "get the most gifted guys." It is "easy" for the Lord to grant gifts by the Holy Spirit as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11).

iii. Going to seminary doesn't make one qualified for spiritual leadership. Being a good talker doesn't make one qualified for spiritual leadership. Natural or spiritual gifts in themselves do not qualify one for spiritual leadership. What one gives in money or volunteer time does not qualify them for spiritual leadership. What qualifies a man for spiritual leadership is godly character - and godly character established according to these clear criteria.

iv. This list needs to be applied to anyone who would take a position of spiritual leadership - either formally or informally. It is fair for every Christian to ask themselves: Who are the spiritual leaders in my life? How does their character measure against the following passage?

v. However, this is not a rigid list which demands perfection in all areas. It provides both goals to reach for and a general criteria for selection. We should take this list and ask "Does the man in question desire all these things with his whole heart? Does that desire show itself in his life?" Titus was to take the following list, find the men who best fit the description, and then use the list as a training guide to disciple these men.

vi. As well, these qualifications are valuable for every person - not only those who aspire to leadership. They are clear indicators of godly character and spiritual maturity; they can give a true measure of a man.

3. (Verses 6-8) What Titus must look for in leaders.

If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

a. Titus must look for blameless men: This word literally means "nothing to take hold upon." There must be nothing in the life of the leader that others can take hold of and attack his life or the church.

i. This is a broad term for a man who lives a righteous life that can be seen as righteous. No one can stand up and rightfully accuse the man of grievous sin.

ii. This is important, because he is a steward of God's house. The greater the master is the greater the servants are expected to be.

b. Husband of one wife: The idea is of "a one-woman man." It does not mean that a leader must be married. If that were the case, then both Jesus and Paul would be disqualified from leadership! Nor is it the idea that a leader could never remarry if his wife had passed away or if he were Biblically divorced. The idea is that the leader has his focus upon one woman, his wife.

c. Having faithful children: Has the leader raised his children well? If he can't lead his own house, how can he lead the family of God? This doesn't mean that the man has never had a problem with his children; but when the problem arises, how does he deal with it?

d. The self-willed are disqualified from leadership. They show their self-willed nature in arrogance, stubbornness, and a proud self-focus.

e. The quick-tempered are disqualified from leadership, as are those who drink more than is proper (not given to wine), the violent, and those greedy for money.

i. It might surprise us that something as basic as not violent needs to be spoken against. But at other times, and in other places, physical punishment was much more common. There was a rule in the early church, "We believe that the pastor who hits an erring believer should be deposed." The pastor should never physically beat the sheep, but neither should he spiritually beat the sheep.

f. But hospitable: A leader among God's people must be a hospitable man, and one who loves what is good. Men who love the base and the sordid things of this world are not yet qualified to be leaders among God's people.

g. Soberminded: This describes the person who is able to think clearly and with clarity. They are not a constant joke-maker, but know how to deal with serious subjects in a serious way.

i. Wiersbe on soberminded: "This does not man he has no sense of humor, or that he is always solemn and somber. Rather it suggests that he knows the value of things and does not cheapen the ministry or the Gospel message by foolish behavior." (From Wiersbe's commentary on 1 Timothy)

ii. In the mind of the Apostle Paul, this was an important quality in a leader. He uses this word ten times in the brief letters to Timothy and Titus.

h. Just, holy, self-controlled: A pastor or leader in the church must be just (right toward men), holy (right towards God), self-controlled (right towards himself).

i. "How unfit are those to govern a church who cannot govern themselves!" (Matthew Henry)

C. What leaders in the church are supposed to do.

1. (Verse 9a) Titus must appoint elders who will hold fast to the word of God.

Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught,

a. Holding fast the faithful word: This means first that the leader must be sure of the faithful word for himself. When he brings the word of God to people, he must bring it with confidence and authority, not mixed with theological speculation and academic doubts.

i. "There is not need of fancy words, but of strong minds, of skill in the scriptures, and of powerful thoughts." (Chrysostom)

b. Holding fast the faithful word: This means also that the leader will stick to God's word, instead of a focus on "fads" and "programs" for the church. If a man will to first stick to the word, and then stick with the word of God, he is not qualified for leadership in God's church.

c. As he has been taught: This means that the leader has been under the teaching of someone else. A qualified leader doesn't necessarily need to go to Bible College or Seminary, but they do need to be taught and discipled by someone, not just themselves.

2. (Verse 9b) Titus must appoint leader who will also use the word properly.

That he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

a. That he may be able . . . both to exhort and convict those who contradict: A godly leader will use his solid foundation in God's word to exhort (encourage) those who are on the right track. He will also use it to convict (discourage) those who are on the wrong track, those who contradict.

i. "A preacher must be both soldier and shepherd. He must nourish, defend, and teach; he must have teeth in his mouth and be able to bite and fight." (Luther)

b. By sound doctrine: A godly leader deals with those who contradict, and he does it with sound doctrine. He doesn't do it with pompous authority and political back-stabbing. He brings correction with sound doctrine.

i. If a leader does not have a basis in sound doctrine to either exhort or convict an individual, he probably shouldn't do it. Leaders need to stand on the foundation of the word.

D. Why it was important for Titus to appoint these qualified leaders.

1. (Verses 10-11) Those who must be confronted and how to stop them.

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

a. For there are many insubordinate: The word insubordinate indicates someone who will not submit to God's order of authority. The ancient Greek word translated insubordinate is the negative form of the word submit - an insubordinate man will not submit.

i. God has established an order of authority in several different areas of life. There is an order of authority in the home, in the church, in the workplace, and in the community. God wants us to recognize the places where He has place an order of authority in our lives, and He wants us to submit to that authority.

ii. If there were many contentious and "problem people" among God's people in Paul's day, so soon after the apostle himself had been among them - should we expect that there would be fewer today? There are still many insubordinate,

b. Idle talkers and deceivers: These problem people will make themselves known by their "big mouths" and by their deception.

c. Especially those of the circumcision: Paul was particularly concerned with the effect of some Christians from a Jewish background, who thought the key to acceptance before God was keeping the Law of Moses.

d. Whose mouths must be stopped: Titus had to train the elders he chose to simply "shut up" these problem people. They should not to be allowed to gain a hearing, because if allowed, they would subvert whole households.

e. Teaching things which they ought not: There are at least three things which should not be taught among Christians. First, false doctrine ought not to be taught. Second, insubordinate things ought not to be taught. Third, unprofitable things ought not to be taught.

i. In 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul warned Timothy to not give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. There are certain "spiritual" subjects that are not edifying, and are not profitable. All they do is cause speculations and arguments. When Titus found men teaching things which they ought not, he was supposed to stop it.

f. For the sake of dishonest gain: These problem people were motivated by gain. Paul's main idea was of dishonest financial gain, and there are many who fit that description today. However, the dishonest gain some seek from the gospel is emotional instead of financial. They serve for the sake of the gain that comes when others recognize or admire them as a spiritual leader.

2. (Verses 12-14) Why the problem is difficult, and what to do about it.

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

a. Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons: The problem is difficult because of the general character of the Cretans. When your own "prophets" describe your people as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons, there is a character problem.

i. If the Cretans had this basic character, it shows why it was so important for Titus to appoint elders to lead the church. If these congregations were left to themselves, chaos and error would dominate the churches.

ii. A prophet of their own: Paul did not mean that the Cretan writer he quotes here was an inspired prophet of God. But that writer did have it correct when he described the character of the people of Crete. As Paul writes, this testimony - not the entire testimony of this writer - is true.

b. Therefore rebuke them sharply: Because of the generally hardened character of the people of the island of Crete, they must be dealt with directly. Titus himself must rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, and he must appoint leaders who will do the same.

c. Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth: As mentioned before (especially those of the circumcision, Titus 1:10) the particular point of contention in the churches of Crete had to do with a Jewish legalism. It was not centered not on God's word, but on Jewish fables and the commandments of men who turn from the truth.

3. (Verses 15-16) The character of these difficult people.

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

a. To the pure, all things are pure: With their attraction to Jewish legalism, the difficult people Titus had to confront seemed to believe that nothing is pure. They denied Christians basic and godly pleasures that were not sin.

i. Timothy had to deal with the same kind of people. Paul warned Timothy about those forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth (1 Timothy 4:3). Paul knew that if a Christian walked in the purity of the Lord, these things were pure to him. But to those of a legalistic mind (those who are defiled and unbelieving), they seemed to believe nothing is pure. The problem was with their defiled and unbelieving minds and consciences, not with the things themselves.

ii. All things are pure: Of course, Paul does not mean that obviously sinful things (pornography, illicit drugs, and the like) are pure. Paul has in mind those things which are permitted by Scripture, but forbidden by legalists in a mistaken attempt to earn favor with God.

b. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him: These difficult people Titus had to deal with were all the more difficult because they talked like Christians. Their profession was all in order, but in works they deny Him. We can't just go by what a person says. We have to also look at how they live.

c. Being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work: These are strong words, but Paul means it. These difficult people probably pretended to have a higher spirituality than Titus or other godly leaders. But Paul saw right through their spiritual fa�ade and wanted Titus - and all the Christians on Crete - to see through it also.

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