- A Study In Titus -

Lesson 5 – The Task:

As we studied in our opening, Titus was given the task of setting things in order. Titus was a faithful minister of the Gospel of Christ; however, it was not the intention of Paul to expect that Titus complete this task alone. In teaching and establishing God's order within the church (and backing it up with this Apostolic letter), the foundation would be laid to accomplish this daunting task.

Elders in the churches of Crete were not the only things out of order or missing within these churches (as we will look at qualities of a sound church in up-coming lessons as well as overcoming dissensions, etc…), but, with the establishment of qualified men who are able to teach and up-hold the faithful word, many of the problems facing these incomplete churches would begin through the word to correct themselves.

Thus, it is important in this lesson to examine the task of the elders in their role of stopping false doctrines! In order to begin to set in order the qualities of a sound church, a proper foundation must be laid in the truth of the Gospel of Christ .

There were many similarities between the instruction that Paul gave to Timothy and Titus in their separate works ( Ephesus and Crete ). One of the similarities lies within their charge to stop the false teaching of the Judaizers. Although, those of the circumcision were not the exclusive problem of the church at this time, it was the most prominent. Just as today; depending on where you live in this nation, there are prominent false doctrines that plague the Lord's church to this day.

Note the similarities and urgency in the instructions of Paul to both Timothy and Titus concerning these false teachers:

1 Timothy 1:3 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia -- remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine ,”

Titus 1:11 “ whose mouths must be stopped , who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.”

Just as Timothy was to charge some that they teach no other doctrine (Ephesus had elders, but Paul gave Timothy the qualifications just as he did Titus, as he knew that some of them would become part of the problem and need to be replaced, see: Acts 20:29-30 ); the elders of Crete would also need to stop immediately these Judaizers.

These shepherds of the church were thus vital elements in maintaining the purity of the word and demanding that all else be forsaken for the teaching of Christ.

With this in mind, let's take a look at our text:

Titus 1:10-16 “For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, 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. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 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. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

Now, before we look at this text, keep in mind the last verse of the qualifications:

Titus 1:9 “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able , by sound doctrine , both to exhort and convict those who contradict .”

Physical force was not an option in stopping the mouths of these false teachers. The exclusive method was that of sound doctrine. Note the instruction of Paul to Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

There is not any guarantee that these false teachers will repent and come to their senses; however, it is vital to expose their false doctrine before it subverts those who have yet to be grounded in the truth.

Vs.10 : It is important to note that without these pillars to stand for the truth, there are many insubordinate and deceivers. These are those who will not submit to Apostolic teaching and example and thus reject the authority of Christ Himself (any doctrines taught and accepted apart from the doctrine of Christ is a rejection of the authority of Christ, II John 9 ).

Paul's emphasis here is that the most prominent of these deceivers are of the circumcision (Judaizers), and because they haven't any shepherds of the truth, they have found a comfortable place to apply their false teaching.

Vs.11 : There is a sense of urgency in this verse and it is explained within the damage that is caused by these false teachers.

The first of the inflictions is the subversion of entire households. To subvert is to overthrow or destroy. If they can enlist just a few of the prominent members of a house, they can in turn use them on the rest, thus destroying the foundation of the entire group. Note also, that Paul indicates that they have selfish motives designed to enhance their personal gain (whether financial or personal power it is unknown, however, either motive would be un-righteous in nature).

Vs.12 : One of their own writers (a native of the people), accused them as a whole of being liars (which is a commentary on their disposition to pervert truth for the hope of gain), evil beasts (a figure of speech to indicate a low character), and lazy gluttons (this is to say that they are too lazy to acquire what they want via honorable methods). This should answer any question you may have as to why they have so many things; yet to be in order, within the teachings of Christ!

Vs.13 : Paul agrees with the Cretan writer concerning their character and the low moral motives of these false teachers. Paul denotes that such character is unworthy of much compassion, thus they were to be rebuked sharply by the teaching of sound doctrine. The purpose for the sharp rebuke was that they as a whole may be sound in the faith (faith comes from hearing the word, Romans 10:17 ), not that there was any guarantee that they would repent.

Vs.14 : Paul here reconfirms that it is those of the circumcision that are the predominant problem and are forsaking the truth. Paul would indicate that they are also the focal point of the dissensions among them (spending all their time in conflict over these foolish disputes is detrimental to their growth in the truth), note:

Titus 3:9-11 “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”

The elders or shepherds of a flock cannot bring everyone to the proper grazing area until they bring them all together and remove whatever distractions that exist in keeping them apart.

Vs.15 : This verse stands in contrast to the teachings of Judaism concerning the eating of things they claim to be un-clean. The physical law of Moses was for the separation of a people to be peculiar from the rest of the world. It had many regulations concerning foods and cleansing rituals, however, the kingdom of heaven is exactly that; a spiritual kingdom, and not subject to the laws of Moses that have been nailed to the cross ( Colossians 2:11 -23 ).

Because these Judaizers could not let go of this physical law, they were defiled and unbelieving in the kingdom that Christ established. This led to a vain and un-educated conscience before God, as they are attempting to establish their own righteousness apart from Christ (see: Romans 10:1-4 ).

Vs.16 : While these Judaizers were busy disturbing the churches of Christ, they professed that it was because of their love for God and their knowledge of the law. However, not only were they teaching things contrary to the Gospel of Christ, but their personal lives were a contradiction of the purity within the obsolete law they taught. They were not only in rebellion to the doctrine of Christ, but to God Himself.

These verses concerning subversion to the Gospel of Christ, universally describe the motives of any who would teach or advocate anything contrary to the divinely revealed word. There is only one Christ! God has given Him and Him alone all authority over the kingdom, His church (to include executive, legislative, and judicial authority).

This is why it is vital that within every body of Christ (with or without elders); that the qualifications and work of elders are taught continuously and tirelessly, in order for the pure foundation of the Gospel of Christ to be enforced and protected with vigor. Every member of every congregation must understand the vital nature of this office and the task they are to perform, and the need to work towards their appointment according to the qualifications.

Next: “ Qualities of a Sound Church ”