Note for 20250625 – Sons in Faith – Part 1 – Titus 1 – Leaders and Elders
Sons in Faith
Titus
Part 1 – Titus 1 – Leaders and Elders
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The House of Bread · Note for 20250625 – Sons in Faith – Part 1 – Titus 1 – Leaders and Elders
Titus 1:1-16 NASB2020
[1] Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, [2] in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, [3] but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; [4] To Titus, my true son in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. [5] For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, [6] namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion. [7] For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, [8] but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, [9] holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it. [10] For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, [11] who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain. [12] One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
https://bible.com/bible/2692/tit.1.1-16.NASB2020
Note for 20250625
Introduction:
For a while, I have been very concerned about how those who read the note only, without hearing the audio, missed out, as the delivery of the note spoken out brought so much more than just the text (guideline) of the message. So, in a trial, I will attempt to transcribe the audio note (with annotations) so the reader get’s as much bread as the hearer, if not more. (The full transcript with grammatical and speech errors will be made available at the end of this document, verbatim. It might be slightly difficult to read, because I have a bad habit of stuttering entire sentences or parts of it, and on the fly corrections.)
📖 Annotated Devotional Note — Leaders and Elders
(Based on Titus 1; references drawn from both Old and New Testaments)
A great deal can be said about the opening of this letter to Titus, a fellow helper of Paul in Crete. Now I bring the word to you from the New American Standard Bible 2020 version so what Paul writes can easily be understood.
Titus was a Greek gentile, believer in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:3), and he was left on Crete to establish the church in that area (Titus 1:5). Paul acknowledged him as his son according to the common faith (Titus 1:4). They had faith in common. Though Paul was a Jew by biological heritage and of the Pharisees in the highest order (Philippians 3:5–6; Acts 23:6), he was also a Roman citizen from birth (Acts 22:27–28).
Now, all of these things we’ll learn as we get to, shall we say, the CV of Paul.
Paul warns Titus about the Jews as a main element of sowing doctrine that is not sound according to the faith in God our Father and Jesus Christ His Son (Titus 1:10–14). The leaven of the Pharisees—and Paul would know (Luke 12:1; Matthew 16:6).
Most of this here is easy enough to understand and very significant as it pertains to those that would stand as stewards of God in the faith (Titus 1:7). He tells Titus how to elect elders in every city in Crete, what he must look for in these men (Titus 1:5–9). They had to be examples of faith in Jesus Christ, able to exhort and correct (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:24–25). Their lives had to be of such that no accusation could be brought against them and good hosts (1 Timothy 3:2–7; Titus 1:8). Don’t neglect that.
What must be noted is that it is primarily in the election of these notable men in society to positions of leadership. While all of this is true for the elders, it is also a very good guide after which we too can shape our lives (Philippians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:15–16). Not to lead per se, but to be ready at any time to be called into action should there be a need for it (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15).
This is not to say, “Oh, you’ve now got to take over at church or you now have to lead people,” but it is when you are looked at—if there is a need in the church for a reliable person to put into a position that requires that trust (Acts 6:3)—that there is a consideration that you may stand in a servitude to the Most High God for His purpose. His will be done, not yours, not mine (Luke 22:42).
Are you okay with that?
These are things that we can strive for. This is the top of the crop amongst the believers, amongst the church, in order to maintain order of the church so that it doesn’t fall apart (1 Corinthians 14:40).
These can also be seen as pillars in the community, pillars in the church that can even come to the point where they can go to a minister and say, “Listen, that message that you brought is not on point, my friend. You’re veering off the truth.” (Galatians 2:11–14; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1) Not, “I do not like how you dress,” or “I do not like what you do for a job.” All these things that look at the negatives in life—no. This is about the gospel. It’s about God’s treasure in earth, which is the church (2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Timothy 3:15).
On Purity and Discernment
Titus 1:15 reads like this:
“To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.”
Let this rest in you a bit and ponder on it.
Examples from Elijah (1 Kings 17)
Do you remember Elijah, how he went to live by a brook of water, being fed by crows by God’s instruction (1 Kings 17:2–6)? That the brook dried up eventually because of the lack of rain from what Elijah himself spoke out over the land by God’s instruction (1 Kings 17:1, 7)? He had to move from that place of safety and find a widow to whom he was sent—a woman that was gathering sticks so she could make a last meal for her and her son, so that they could die (1 Kings 17:8–12). Do you remember the flour and the oil that did not run out until rain returned (1 Kings 17:14–16)? How the child died and lacked breath, and Elijah cried before the Lord for the sake of that widow’s child (1 Kings 17:17–22)?
Did God send Elijah there for his sake, or for the widow and her son? (Luke 4:25–26)
On Discernment and Judgment
If you look for that which is defiled, you do not have to walk far (Titus 1:15; Proverbs 11:27). Some are not even required to leave their house—or their mirror (James 1:23–24). But set your sight on that which is good (Philippians 4:8), according to God’s standard (Isaiah 55:8–9).
We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). What is man, that God is mindful of him? (Psalm 8:4)
We are called to love, not hate (Romans 13:10; 1 John 4:7–8), to salvation not destruction (John 3:17; 2 Peter 3:9). Do not become defiled (James 1:27). Be ready to stand (Isaiah 6:8).
Parables and Endurance
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves (Matthew 10:16).
The wheat and the tares must grow together until the harvest (Matthew 13:24–30).
The tares are removed first (Matthew 13:30), but it is the wheat—the gentle—that inherits the earth (Matthew 5:5; Matthew 13:43).
Endure to the end (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:26).
Be planted in good soil (Luke 8:15).
Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Try the spirits (1 John 4:1).
Let the Word of God cleanse the carnal mind (Romans 8:7).
Paul’s Testimony and Mercy
Paul survived the viper on Malta and did not fear (Acts 28:3–6), because Jesus had told him, “You must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).
If judgment had come at the stoning of Stephen, Saul would have died too (Acts 7:58–60), but God, who is rich in mercy, had plans (Ephesians 2:4–5; Acts 9:1–6).
Let us not uproot too soon (Luke 13:6–9). The Lord of the Harvest knows when to act (Matthew 13:39). For the sake of the wheat, He delays the cutting of the tare (Matthew 13:28–30).
Final Reflection
To the pure, all things are pure (Titus 1:15).
Do not be defiled.
Be ready.
Remain gentle (Galatians 5:22–23).
The Kingdom belongs to such as these (Matthew 5:5; Matthew 18:3).
Sela, Shalom.
(PS: At the conclusion of this, and in an attempt to duplicate this for Titus 2, the matter was re-evaluated and there is no way I can maintain this without subscription services to multiple platforms which is beyond my means. So, we will return to the former format of things for Titus 2)
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App
KJV:
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 KJV)
NASB 2020:
“Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NASB)
Gentleness is not weakness—it is meekness under control.
It is the Spirit of God in action (Galatians 5:22–23; James 3:17).
We are called to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves (Matthew 10:16).
Let us not be like tares.
Let us endure, for it is the wheat that inherits the earth (Matthew 13:30, 43).
We must not be choked out by the thorns (Luke 8:14).
We must find the good soil (Luke 8:15).
Let the Word grow in you. Let it bear fruit.
The Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21).
Let us be ready.
Let us be usable.
Let us be gentle.
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