Introduction to Titus and the Purpose of the Letter
Introduction to Titus and the Purpose of the Letter
1Paul , a servant of God , and an apostle of Jesus Christ , according to the faith of God ’s elect , and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness , 2in hope of eternal life , which God , who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; 3but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message , wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour ; 4to Titus , my true child after a common faith : Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour .
Qualifications for Elders
5For this cause left I thee in Crete , that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting , and appoint elders in every city , as I gave thee charge ; 6if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife , having children that believe , who are not accused of riot or unruly. 7For the bishop must be blameless, as God ’s steward ; not self-willed, not soon angry , no brawler, no striker , not greedy of filthy lucre; 8but given to hospitality , a lover of good , sober-minded, just , holy , self-controlled ; 9holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching , that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine , and to convict the gainsayers.
The Importance of Sound Doctrine
10For there are many unruly men , vain talkers and deceivers , specially they of the circumcision , 11whose mouths must be stopped ; men who overthrow whole houses , teaching things which they ought not , for filthy lucre’s sake . 12One of themselves , a prophet of their own , said , Cretans are always liars , evil beasts , idle gluttons . 13This testimony is true . For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith , 14not giving heed to Jewish fables , and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15To the pure all things are pure : but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure ; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled . 16They profess that they know God ; but by their works they deny him , being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.