By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
LIVING WITH OPPOSITION
Titus 1:1–5, 10–16
Servant’s Heart (1–3)
In Titus we perceive that sound doctrine goes hand in hand with the life of sanctification and the doing of good works. Paul had recently completed a journey to Crete resulting in planting new churches on the island. Paul left Titus on Crete to make sure these churches were established properly.
Paul wrote this epistle to remind Titus why he left him there and to remind him of the importance of his mission. Paul identified himself as a servant (slave) of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He oftentimes referred to himself as a servant of Christ. Here, however, he referred to himself as a servant of God, suggesting a direct connection to Moses, David and others in the Old Testament who were described as servants of God. As a slave in the first century, Paul did not act on his own authority but on the authority of his Master.
He was an apostle of Jesus Christ. He received his authoritative commission directly from Jesus Christ to go and proclaim the gospel to the nations. The word apostle signified his calling and authority as one sent by King Jesus.
His service and apostleship were exercised for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. Paul labored to see people saved, coming to faith and to knowledge of the truth. Genuine salvation always leads to ongoing transformation.
Paul’s mission was founded upon the certainty of God’s promise of eternal life. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. Biblical hope is a certainty. God Himself, who cannot lie, has promised eternal life through the proclamation of the gospel.
Purposeful Action (4–5)
Paul reminded his true son in the common faith that he had been left on Crete to make sure the newly planted churches were established on sound doctrine and organized with godly elders (overseers) to teach and lead the churches. Situated in a location known as the mythical birthplace of Zeus; famous for the legendary Minotaur, a half-bull and half-human monster; and deeply immersed in emperor worship, these fledgling church plants needed serious attention quickly. Titus was to set right what was left undone and appoint elders for each of the churches.
Opposition Addressed (10–16)
Paul instructed Titus to appoint men as elders who had godly commitments, godly conduct, godly character and godly convictions. These highly qualified men were needed to serve as elders because Crete had many rebellious false teachers.
These false teachers were a law unto themselves claiming a direct pipeline to God. These proud, rebellious false teachers, known as Judaizers, spoke useless words. They were deceivers and peddlers of theological pornography. They taught the need for Jesus and for circumcision and other Jewish traditions. Deceived in their own thinking they deceived the thinking of others and ruined entire households. Like a fast-spreading cancer they infected many people and destroyed unity in the churches.
Paul told Titus these false teachers had to be stopped. These Cretans were described by one of their own wise men, Epimenides, as liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons. They were untruthful, selfish and pleasure seeking. Paul agreed with this assessment and commanded Titus to rebuke them sharply. Both the false teachers and the people who listened to them had to be rebuked decisively by Titus and the newly appointed elders so they might become sound in their stand in respect to the truth as revealed in Christ.
The false teachers were teaching Jewish myths (fables) about their ancestors and man-made rules. Religious speculations that go either beyond or against Scripture and rules and regulations that add works to grace are man-centered rather than Christ-centered.
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