Frameworks:
Titus
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a simple comment of what is
happening)
[Note:
Because it is sometimes difficult to follow the flow
of Paul's letter, we have added a synopsis of each chapter &
passage to help clarify where Paul is going with his writing.]
Why
Read Titus:
This little ‘book' is a gem of simplicity where Paul writes to
Titus who he left on Crete and encourages him to establish the
churches (ch.1) by appointing elders (otherwise know in Paul's
letters as pastors or overseers) and resist the false teaching
that abounds among the ungodly on the island. Paul directs Titus
in his teaching to the various groups within the churches laying
out the basics of the nature of the lives we are to lead (Ch.2
&3). Easily read in one sitting
To
go directly: Titus 2
Titus 3
FRAMEWORKS:
Titus 1
[Chapter
Synopsis: Establish the churches on Crete more firmly
by appointing elders and deal with those ungodly, disruptive teachers
on the island]
v.1-4
Paul's Greeting to Titus
v.5-9
Titus' Task of Appointing Elders
v.10-16
Titus' Role in Rebuking the Rebellious Unrighteous
v.1-4
Paul's Greeting to Titus
[Passage
Synopsis: Paul goes to some length to lay out his role
and calling, almost it seems as if to say to Titus, this is the
same for you)
v.1-3
(Paul: servant
& apostle, to draw in God's elect and lead them into godliness
through the gospel) Paul, a
servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith
of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to
godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not
lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his
appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching
entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
v.4
(to son in the
faith, Titus) To Titus, my true
son in our common faith:
Grace
and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
v.5-9
Titus' Task of Appointing Elders
[Passage
Synopsis: Titus has to set up elders in each of the churches
on Crete – their requirements, positive, negatives and more positives]
v.5
(Titus, appoint
elders) The reason I left you
in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished
and appoint[ a
]
elders in every town, as I directed you.
v.6-8
(these are their
character requirements) An elder
must be blameless , faithful to his wife, a man
whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being
wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God's household,
he must be blameless— not overbearing, not quick-tempered,
not given to drunkenness, not violent, not
pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable
, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright,
holy and disciplined .
v.9
(one who holds
to the truth taught by us, to encourage the saints, oppose the
unbelievers ) He must hold firmly
to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can
encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose
it.
v.10-16
Titus' Role in Rebuking the Rebellious Unrighteous
[
Paul addresses the problem of ungodly and unrighteous
disrupting false teachers who Titus will have to oppose]
v.10
(be aware of
‘the opposition') For there
are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception,
especially those of the circumcision group.
v.11
(silence their
disturbing false teaching) They
must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households
by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake
of dishonest gain.
v.12
(the Cretan philosopher
Epimenides condemned such people) One
of Crete's own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars,
evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”
v.13
(he was right,
so rebuke them) This saying
is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound
in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the
merely human commands of those who reject the truth.
v.15
(the pure bring
purity, the corrupt bring corruption) To
the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted
and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds
and consciences are corrupted.
v.16
(what they say
about themselves is untrue) They
claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are
detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
FRAMEWORKS:
Titus 2
[Chapter
Synopsis: Recognise the needs of the various groups within
the congregations and teach them accordingly, particularly emphasizing
the new lives we are now to live]
v.1-11
Titus' Role in Teaching different groups
v.12-15
The Purpose of the Outworking of the Gospel to be taught
v.1-11
Titus' Role in Teaching different groups
[Passage
Synopsis: When it comes to teaching, recognise different
groups have different needs so apply the teaching accordingly]
v.1
(in contrast,
Titus is to teach sound doctrine) You,
however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
v.2
(reaching out
to the older men in the churches…) Teach
the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect,
self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
v.3
( … and to the
older women..) Likewise, teach
the older women to be reverent in the way they live,
not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what
is good.
v.4,5
(…
who will then teach the younger women) Then
they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,
and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign
the word of God.
v.6
(encourage the
young men believers) Similarly,
encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
v.7,8
(and in everything
be a good example, especially in your teaching) In
everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your
teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that
cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed
because they have nothing bad to say about us.
v.9,10
(don't forget
those who a slaves who are believers) Teach
slave s to be subject to their masters in everything, to try
to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from
them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every
way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
v.11
(for God's grace
is available for all ) For the
grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
v.12-15
The Purpose of the Outworking of the Gospel to be taught
[Passage
Synopsis: the basis of all Titus' teaching is the recognition
that the grace and Spirit of God is working to create holy and
righteous lives, from now until Christ comes again]
v.12-14
(God's grace
rejects ungodliness & self-centred passions, and seeks to
develop Christlike characteristics, until he comes again)
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and
godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed
hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager
to do what is good.
v.15
(this is to
be the basis of your teaching) These,
then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with
all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
FRAMEWORKS:
Titus 3
[Chapter
Synopsis: Include in your teaching right attitudes to
rulers & authorities but also paint the big picture of the
sort of lives we are now to live that contrast with what we once
were. Finally some administrative guidance for the travelling
apostles]
v.1-11
Lives transformed by the Work of Christ
v.12-15
Final Remarks
v.1-11
Lives transformed by the Work of Christ
[Passage
Synopsis: teaching on right attitudes towards authorities,
remembering what we used to be like, but contrasting that with
what we are now called to be.]
v.1,2
(teach respect
and obedience to authorities, revealing goodness, truth, peace
and gentleness) Remind the people
to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be
ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable
and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
v.3
(yes, remember
what we were once like) At one
time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by
all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy,
being hated and hating one another.
v.4-7
(but also that
that has now in the past since we have been saved and renewed
to a new life) But when the
kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not
because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the
Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus
Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace,
we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
v.8
(hold those
basic truths and teach them clearly so all the believers may apply
them) This is a trustworthy
saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who
have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing
what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
v.9
(avoiding disputes
over the truth) But avoid foolish
controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about
the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
v.10
(carefully deal
with divisive people) Warn a
divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After
that, have nothing to do with them.
v.11
(they condemn
themselves) You may be sure
that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
v.12-15
Final Remarks
[Passage
Synopsis: his final
remarks indicate the amount of movement that went on among the
apostles, as the Spirit led them and as needs required]
v.12
(after I've
sent reinforcements there, seek to come to me) As
soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come
to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
v.13
(help and prepare
the two who have to move on) Do
everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their
way and see that they have everything they need.
v.14
(help our people
clearly see who they ought to be) Our
people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,
in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive
lives.
v.15
(greetings from
all here, greet those with you we know and love) Everyone
with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace
be with you all.
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