THE BOOK OF TITUS – (Section 1 – Titus 1:1-9)

Important Information – GODLY LEADERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CHURCH

 

THE LETTER TO TITUS IS GROUNDED IN AUTHORITY (V. 1)

This letter to Titus is not a casual communication. Far from that! It is, in fact, a detailed letter to a young and talented ministry colleague of the Apostle Paul. Paul opens his letter by first establishing that he, like Titus, is a “slave” or servant of Jesus Christ, as well as an Apostle. He identifies the similarities between him and Titus in their faith while preserving his apostolic authority. This language is critical because it indicates that Paul saw Titus as his co-laborer in the gospel despite Paul’s position of authority.

 

AUTHORITY ALWAYS HAS STRUCTURE (V. 1)

In his introduction, Paul clarifies that he has been called to an authoritative ministry position by Jesus Christ. This position gives him the authority and responsibility of ensuring that proper leaders are appointed to shepherd the churches under his authority.

 

GODLY LEADERS LEAD THOSE IN THEIR CARE TOWARD FAITH (V. 1)

Paul’s ministry came down to this: the faith of those who were “elect (saved).” Simply speaking, Paul’s focus was on ensuring that those who were born-again members of the churches under his care were being led in such a way that their faith was constantly increasing and growing. 

Here, as in other places in Scripture, Paul indicates that faith is grounded in the knowledge and understanding of the truth of the gospel, which has been revealed in the Word of God and through the preaching of Paul and the other Apostles. This reality formed the basis upon which Paul would instruct Titus to appoint godly leaders to continue shepherding the believers under his care.

 

PAUL’S INTRODUCTION IS FILLED WITH THEOLOGICAL TRUTH (V. 1-3)

It is difficult to imagine how Paul could have packed so many theological truths into just a few lines. However, in these first three verses, Paul covers topics such as God’s eternal nature, Divine sovereignty, His plan for salvation, the authority of God’s Word, the absolute truth of God’s character, and the hope of eternal life for all those who put their faith and trust in Jesus for deliverance from their sins (according to His promises).

 

TRUE LEADERS BUILD UP NEW LEADERS (V. 1-3)

This letter to Titus shows that Paul did not attempt to govern these churches from afar. Instead, he trained new leadership to take on the task of leading these believers. This approach shows his understanding of multiplication and displays his humility despite his position as an Apostle.

 

EFFECTIVE LEADERS POUR INTO OTHERS (V. 5)

The first instruction given to Titus is to appoint new church leaders (elders) in every town. This was the very purpose for which Paul left Titus behind on the island of Crete. This was not a simple task. Behind this instruction from Paul lay the reality that Titus would have to find, recruit, and train godly leaders to guide, discipline, shepherd, and defend the Church.

Paul’s instructions to Titus to “put what remained in order” indicate that there was much work to be done. Kingdom work is not done alone; rather, it is a combined effort of many believers who have been gifted by the Holy Spirit to do the work that God has called them to.

 

HIGH POSITIONS COME WITH HEAVY REQUIREMENTS (V. 6-9)

The qualifications for elders within the church are extensive. This should come as no surprise since the church’s High Priest is Jesus Christ Himself, and all believers are called to follow His example. Through this list of qualifications, Paul clarified that leadership in God’s Kingdom is to be taken seriously.

 

GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FOR LEADERS ARE NOT OPEN FOR DEBATE (V. 7)

“The Lord requires leaders in His church who are pure, holy, and above reproach. Anything less is unacceptable to Him and should be unacceptable to His people.”* At its core, the requirements for church leaders, i.e., pastors or elders, are focused on holiness. Jesus is holy, and since He is the head of the church, those charged with leading the body must also live lives marked by holiness. Specifically, this passage of Paul’s letter refers to the qualifications for pastors/elders. However, anyone serving in a position of leadership within the church would do well to look to this list of requirements as a template for how they should live their lives.

*Commentary on Titus, John MacArthur                                             

 

UNQUALIFIED LEADERS WILL DESTROY THE CHURCH

“The largest threat to the modern church is unqualified, unbiblical, and ungodly pastors.”* Paul’s qualifications for pastors given to Titus in this letter are extremely narrow by design. Shepherding the family of God is a task that requires total commitment and obedience to God, to His Word, and to His people. Those who are unqualified should never take on leadership positions. To do so is a sin since it violates the express will of God revealed to His Church as stated in His Word.

*Paraphrase of Paul Washer on the greatest danger facing today’s church.

 

IF YOU LEAD IN THE CHURCH, THESE STANDARDS SET “THE STANDARD”

Do not disregard the standards for leadership that Paul lays out in this chapter simply because you are not a pastor or elder. If you are involved in leading or discipling believers, these requirements set an example for you. They are the ultimate call to self-sacrifice, obedience, and holiness and should be pursued by every person in a leadership position within the church.

 

LEADERS MUST BE ABOVE REPROACH (V. 6)

Reproach means an expression of disapproval. Godly leaders are called to be above any justified expression of disapproval that could be levied against them. Godly leaders will incur disapproval from those who are disobedient to God’s Word, but their lives and conduct must be a continual testimony of evidence against any false accusations. The central focus of being above reproach is centered on living a holy life marked by godly obedience. Those who would take up the position of leadership within the body of Christ must live lives that are holy. Their lives must be visible to those whom they lead. By living in such a way, godly leaders will demonstrate to those they shepherd that they are worthy and qualified to fill the office of pastor/elder.

 

PASTORS MUST MEET SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE (V. 7)

The position of pastor carries certain specific qualifications. For example, the office of pastor, which is being discussed in this text, requires that those who would fill it be the husband of one wife. This requirement is, by design, indicating that the office of pastor is reserved specifically for men who do not practice polygamy or immoral living. In addition, Paul lists several other requirements that mandate being a leader within one’s own household, being patient and gentle as opposed to angry or violent, and not being proud or greedy but hospitable and generous. In every way, pastors are to mirror the example of the life that Jesus lived during His earthly ministry.

 

ABOVE REPROACH (V. 7)

Paul’s repetition of the requirement that godly leaders must be above reproach indicates the extreme importance of this requirement. Paul “sandwiched” his first set of requirements for those who would be pastors and elders in between a double command to be above reproach. This emphasizes the importance of holy living by those who would be leaders.

 

LEADERS MUST BE HUMBLE (V. 7)

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6b – Since the Scriptures make it clear that God opposes those who are proud in their hearts, it is impossible for a leader within the church to exhibit a heart of arrogance and still be an effective leader. Humility is paramount to godly leadership. A leader who is filled with pride will be ineffective and cause great damage within the body of believers. 

 

LEADERS MUST BE TEMPERATE (V. 7-8)

A quick temper leads to anger and violence, which are strictly prohibited for a leader of the church. Godly leaders must exhibit a heart of patience and temperance in their daily living so that they do not profane the ministry of God through hasty, foolish, and out-of-control behavior.

 

LEADERS MUST BE SOBER (V. 7-8)

Whether it is abstinence or self-control, the point that Paul is making remains the same: Godly leaders must not give themselves over to drunkenness. Such behavior will damage, or even destroy a long-standing testimony. Paul singles out strong drink and drunkenness because of their loosening effect on behavior and speech. Being in a drunk condition opens up a leader to conduct that will disqualify them from office and ruin their testimony.

 

LEADERS MUST BE PEACEFUL (V. 7-8)

No matter what situation a leader finds themselves in, they are required by Scripture to act peacefully, shunning any violent response, even to the most baseless accusations or hurtful words. A leader who exhibits violent behavior is not fit to lead the family of God. Jesus exemplified this perfectly when He willingly and peacefully endured unjust persecution and death on the cross.

 

LEADERS MUST BE SELFLESS (V. 8)

Godly leaders must rely wholly on the power and provision of God for themselves and their families. They must live lives of selfless sacrifice in leading those whom God has put under their care. It is their love for God and His kingdom that must drive them to pour out the very best of themselves as an offering before Him. Godly leaders must never seek personal reward from their ministry or leadership positions.

 

LEADERS MUST BE OUTWARDLY FOCUSED (V. 8)

The entire focus of a godly leader must be outward, away from themselves. They must be concerned with the well-being of the Church and the spread of the gospel to those who do not know Jesus. Such an attitude will manifest itself in love, generosity, hospitality, and holy living.

 

LEADERS MUST BE SELF-CONTROLLED (V. 8)

Paul summarizes all of the qualifications for godly leaders into two characteristics, the first of which is self-control. Godly leaders must live self-controlled lives, being in complete control of their attitudes, bodies, and the responsibilities of their position in everyday life. Those who are pastors must exhibit godly leadership over their own households before leading the church.

 

LEADERS MUST BE HOLY (V. 8)

The second characteristic of godly leaders is that of holy living. Godly leaders must live lives that are marked by holiness. This is true of every leadership position within the church, not only the pastorate. Pursuing holy living demands that one is disciplined, seeking God, self-controlled, and committed to full obedience to God’s Word and will.

 

LEADERS MUST BE DISCIPLINED (V. 8)

Paul closes his list of requirements with a command for godly leaders to be disciplined. In order to live a life that is worthy of the position of leadership within the church, and that meets the qualifications laid out in the Scripture, vigilant self-discipline is required.

 

“HOLD FIRM TO THE TRUSTWORTHY WORD” (V. 9)

Godly leaders must cling to the Scriptures and only to the Scriptures. The Scripture is the only source of truth and guidance for human life. Those who are called to lead other believers within the context of the church must hold exclusively to the teachings found within God’s Word. Deviating from, altering, or cheapening the truth of Scripture is a sin. Holding firm to God’s word conveys more than the idea of just reading the Bible or casually studying the Bible. Holding firm gives the idea of clinging to a life-saving device, much like a drowning man would cling to a life preserver. In this way, believers must cling to, be immersed in, and fully rely upon the authority of the Scriptures to ensure that they have a solid knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and are actively living in obedience to it.

 

WHAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE?

The concept conveyed by the word “sound” can be translated as pure or clean. In other words, possessing sound doctrine means that a godly leader holds to and understands the Scriptures in their purest form and context. Having sound doctrine requires a genuine submission to the authority of God’s Word and the instruction of the Holy Spirit.

 

SOUND DOCTRINE ENABLES EFFECTIVE TEACHING

Since the primary responsibility of a pastor is teaching God’s Word to those under his care, sound doctrine is essential for conveying the message of godliness. Likewise, any leader in the context of church ministry who is discipling others must be vigilant to teach the Word of God from a position of sound doctrine. The lack of leaders who hold sound doctrine is one of the greatest scourges facing the Western church today. Much of church leadership, across the denominational spectrum, has willingly watered down the message of Scripture in an effort to make it more acceptable to society. This practice is deeply damaging to the Church and flies in the face of Paul’s admonition that those who lead the church must hold to sound doctrine.

 

GODLY LEADERS MUST REFUTE INCORRECT TEACHING (V. 9)

It is not enough for a leader to simply teach God’s Word to those who are under their care; they must also take proactive steps to refute and defeat incorrect teaching. While this instruction is paramount for pastors, it applies to every leader within the church that is involved in discipling members of the body. Refuting incorrect teaching will prevent false beliefs from spreading and will reinforce correct theology within the body.

 

BEING A GODLY LEADER REQUIRES COURAGE 

Being a godly leader is not for the faint of heart. It requires extreme courage in the face of persecution. A godly leader cannot cave to cultural pressure but must stand firmly rooted in the Word of God at all times. Ultimately, godly leaders will be called to give an account to God for how they led and handled the Word of God.

 

KEY VERSES

 

THE PLAN OF SALVATION IS FROM ETERNITY PAST

Titus 1:2 – The plan of salvation through Jesus Christ was not a “crisis response” thought up in the nick of time in the garden when Adam and Eve sinned. God already had His perfect plan in place in eternity past. God the Father had promised the Son an inheritance of a redeemed humanity through the Son’s sacrifice. Jesus reinforces this truth in His prayer to the Father, found in John 17:24.

 

Titus 1:6 – Paul is very clear about the baseline requirements for the position of church overseer. An overseer (elder, pastor, bishop) must be the husband of one wife (if married) to whom he is faithful (sexually pure), must have believing children (if he has children, most likely dependants in this context), and must be disciplined and self-controlled. The inference here, and from other writings of Paul, is that the candidate must be a man. Debate on this topic for has raged some time within the church and can be contentious at times.

 

AN OVERSEER MUST BE BOLD AND DEFEND PURE DOCTRINE

Titus 1:9 – One of the most difficult jobs of the overseer is being firmly grounded in the “trustworthy message,” i.e. the Scriptures. The purpose of this is twofold. First, he must be able to encourage believers in pure doctrine. Second, he must be prepared to boldly refute false teaching and heretical doctrine.

 

KEY WORDS

APOSTLE (APOSTOLOS) TITUS 1:1

This word means a messenger that has been sent out. It has both a narrow meaning and a broad meaning. In this context, Paul is using it in its narrow form to refer to himself as being called specifically by Jesus to be a member of the original twelve.

 

ELECT (EKLEKTOS) Titus 1:1

This word signifies one who is chosen, called out, or selected. In this context, Paul is using it to describe those who are believers and members of the global Church of Jesus Christ. In Paul’s view, this was all those who had responded in faith to the message of the gospel and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

 

ENTRUSTED (PISTEUŌ) TITUS 1:3

To believe; to be persuaded of something. It means more than just lip service. The usage of this word in the context of this passage indicates that Paul was fully persuaded of the truth of the message of the gospel and that God had given it to him, along with the mission of taking the gospel to the Gentiles. This understanding forms the basis for “entrusted.”

 

ELDER (PRESBYTEROS) TITUS 1:5

An older man, a position of leadership, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. In this context, as in nearly all of its uses in the New Testament, this term refers to a mature, godly man who qualifies for and has been appointed to the office of overseeing the church (pastor, elder, bishop, overseer).

 

DEBAUCHERY (ASŌTIA) TITUS 1:5

This word is officially translated as prodigal behavior. A better way to look at this might be the concept of riotous or uncontrolled living. At its core, it refers to living life without self-control. The person who lives in this way cannot control their speech, conduct, desires, actions, or reactions. This type of person is characterized by the fact that they always do “too much.” For example, talk too much, eat too much, drink too much, and so on.

 

INSUBORDINATION (ANYPOTAKTOS) Titus 1:5

Meaning unwilling to be obedient. This would be descriptive of someone who is unruly. One who is unruly and out of control cannot possibly be submissive and obedient to God’s will for governing His church.

 

STEWARD (OIKONOMOS) TITUS 1:7

This refers to one who oversees a household. In the family structure that God has set up, this is the father of the house. By using this word, Paul is indicating that this role is true stewardship. Since Jesus is the Head of the Church, human overseers are not the “father” of the church they lead. Instead, they stand in the place of leadership as Jesus’ representative.

 

UPRIGHT (DIKAIOS) TITUS 1:8

This is the state of being right in one’s conduct. As it applies to righteous living in the eyes of God, it conveys the concept that one’s actions are in alignment with God’s commandments for Holy living. When it is applied to God, it indicates that God’s attributes and actions are always in perfect alignment. An overseer’s conduct must align with God’s Word.

 

HOLY (HOSIOS) Titus 1:8

At its core, this word points to the idea of a life that is kept separate, unpolluted, unstained, and free from any of the marks of worldliness and ungodliness. Essentially, there can be nothing in an overseer’s conduct or belief that is in any way affected by the sinful world. This means that their thinking must be entirely informed by Scripture.

 

DISCIPLINED (EGKRATĒS) TITUS 1:8

This word can also be translated as self-controlled. The idea from the context here is that the overseers of the church are able to control themselvs in every situation and across all spectrums. These men can bridle their words, actions, thoughts, and relationships. They are constantly looking ahead and taking active steps to avoid even the appearance of sin, impropriety, or dishonesty. Their entire focus is on living a life that brings glory to God in every area.

 

TRUSTWORTHY (PISTOS) TITUS 1:9

Interestingly enough, this word is also translated as “believer,” referring to those who believe the gospel with saving faith. The word in this context conveys the idea that an overseer holds fast to the same message that has the power to bring sinners from death into life through faith; i.e. this

is referring to the pure gospel. It means the message that the apostles preached, without distortion.

 

KEY CROSS-REFERENCES

 

1 TIMOTHY 6:3-5

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”

 

Numbers 23:19

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

 

MATTHEW 14:34-36

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord…”

 

JOHN 10:11-13

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…”

 

2 TIMOTHY 2:13

“if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

 

HEBREWS 6:17-18

“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

 

EZEKIEL 34:5-6

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

 

ACTS 14:24-28 (HISTORICAL CONTEXT)

“Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples.”

 

2 Timothy 2:1-2

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

 

EPHESIANS 5:18-21

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

 

1 TIMOTHY 3:2-5

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…”

 

2 TIMOTHY 3:8-9

“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

 

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

 

1 TIMOTHY 1:8-11

“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” 

 

APPLICATION

 

THE CHURCH NEEDS A PROPER LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The church is not a collective or a co-op. The church is an organization, and like all organizations, it has a structure for how it should operate and a prescribed formation for leadership. Paul instructed the churches to be led by godly men who were appointed to leadership through a calling by God and a recognition of the body, provided that they met the qualifications for leadership. Church leadership is NOT a position of power or authority; it is a position of servitude. Unfortunately, this has been lost in the modern church. Pastors and leaders are often referred to as shepherds, and rightly so. This title truly captures the spirit of church leadership. Being a shepherd is not glamorous; it is difficult, messy, and exhausting work. It requires a deep love for and a continuous commitment to the sheep to protect and care for them.

 

PAUL HAD THE AUTHORITY TO COMMAND THE CHURCH

Paul was called out specifically by Jesus Christ Himself to be an original Apostle to the church. He was tasked with evangelizing the Gentiles and establishing churches throughout the gentile world. His authority came directly from the risen and ascended Jesus, and he reiterated this authority many times in his writings. This authority holds power over the church today just as it did in the churches of Paul’s day.

 

CHURCH OVERSEERS MUST LIVE HOLY LIVES

Everything that Paul points to as a qualification for a church overseer is directed at the concept that a church leader must live a life marked by godly obedience. There must not be anything impure within that leader. He is called to put off all worldliness and pursue holy living, obedience to God, and love for people with his whole heart.

 

SOUND DOCTRINE IS CRITICAL TO LEADERSHIP

Church leaders are not free to interpret the Scriptures however they want. Paul instructs leaders to hold to sound doctrine. This means that a church overseer must be steeped in God’s Word continually. He must read it, study it, seek out its mysteries, and pray faithfully to the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of God’s Word to him. He must be cautious and diligent not to join in with false teaching but must be well versed in the Scriptures so that he will be able to refute

false doctrine and false teachers. An effective leader must be fully grounded in God’s Word.

 

AN OVERSEER OF THE CHURCH MUST BE BOLD!

An extremely important part of church leadership is the public rebuke of false teachers. This requires more than just disagreeing with them. It is an active calling and requires the overseer, like a shepherd who stands between the sheep and a vicious predator, to stand in the path of harm and persecution to protect the sheep under his care. A good shepherd will never be popular with those who seek to steal and kill the sheep. A good shepherd will seek only to please God, not man.

 

Discussion Questions

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP

What happens to an organization that has no leadership?

 

Why is it important to have a standard of qualifications for determining who is eligible for leadership?

 

What happens to an organization that is led by unqualified or unprepared leadership?

 

Why is it significant that these instructions were written by Paul, an Apostle who was called specifically by Jesus?

 

OVERSEEING THE UPSIDE-DOWN KINGDOM

Since the Kingdom of Jesus Christ looks, functions, and acts completely opposite of the world, how should the lives of those charged with leading the Kingdom look?

 

Do you see a parallel between the example of Jesus’s life and the requirements for church overseers?

 

A GOOD STANDARD FOR EVERYONE

While only a few are called to be overseers, the standard of holiness they are called to uphold is a wonderful standard against which all believers can measure their commitment to Christ. Take a moment to consider your relationship with Jesus and how you live your life. 

 

Do you measure up to this standard?

 

If yes, how specifically?

 

If no, what do you need to change to live a more holy life?

 

FLEXIBLE REQUIREMENTS???

Many churches today have leaders that do not meet Scripture’s requirements for leadership. 

 

What do you think Paul would say about that? 

 

What do you think Jesus would say about that?

 

CARING FOR THE BRIDE OF JESUS IS A SERIOUS TASK!

Overseers of the church must answer directly to Jesus for their leadership. After all, the Church is the Bride of Christ!

 

With that in mind, how do you think that Jesus will address leaders who were not qualified to care for His Bride?