Titus 1

(1)  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
(2)  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
(3)  But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
(4)  To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
(5)  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
(6)  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
(7)  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
(8)  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
(9)  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
(10)  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
(11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
(12)  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
(13)  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(14)  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
(15)  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
(16)  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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Study Questions

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1. What are the two titles or characteristics Paul gives to himself? Verse 1.

2. Was Paul saying his service to God and his apostleship was in agreement with the faith of God’s elect or for the purpose of producing faith in the elect? Verse 1.

3. When Paul was called to be an apostle “in hope of eternal life,” how do we know he will not be disappointed? Verse 2.

4. To what does the phrase “eternal life” refer? Verse 2.

5. What is the meaning of the expression “his word”? Verse 3.

6. What was “the commandment of God our Savior”? When was it given? Verse 3.

7. Does the expression “mine own son” necessarily indicate that Titus was a convert of Paul? Verse 4.

8. Who began the work on Crete? Explain your answer. Verse 5.

9. What two things did Paul appoint Titus to do at Crete? Verse 5.

10. What does “blameless” mean? Does “the husband of one wife” mean: (1) elder must be married; (2) remain a widower if wife dies; or, (3) one wife at a time? Verse 6.

11. What is meant by “faithful children”? Verse 6.

12. Do the terms “elder” and “bishop” refer to the same office? In what way is he to be blameless in this verse? Verse 7.

13. Name the five negative qualifications and explain their meanings. Verse 7.

14. Name the six positive qualifications and explain their meanings. Verse 8.

15. What is “the faithful word” that the elder is to hold fast? Verse 9.

16. What two abilities are required of elders in their teaching? Verse 9.

17. What four things do we know about the gainsayers? Verse 10.

18. How was Titus going to stop or gag the mouths of the gainsayers? Verse 11.

19. Does it matter what is taught? Who was paying the false teachers? Verse 11.

20. What prophet of the Cretans said uncomplimentary things about them? What four things were characteristic of them, according to their prophet? Verse 12.

21. Who was to be reproved sharply? For what purpose was this reproving to be done? Verse 13.

22. What is the difference in “Jewish fables” and “commandments of men”? Could they be the same thing? Verse 14.

23. How would this relate to the Jewish law about clean and unclean meats? What is the effect of dishonesty of heart? Verse 15.

24. What three characteristics describe who profess to know God but actually deny him in works? Verse 16.