Interpretive Study of Titus

Epistle theme: Basic Job Description of a Pastor.

God's Way to Study His Word:

In 2Timothy 2:15 we read: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The true definition of the word dividing is: 'a Mathematical function whereby we separate pre-defined units according to a precise procedure which produces a precise result'. However, while most people understand that 'there is one interpretation but many applications of the word of God', they fail to separate the procedures of each. And, as a result, they fail to separate the 'one interpretation of the word of God' from the 'many applications of the word of God'. This leads to many errors which people blame on the perfect word of God instead of their using the wrong procedure.

The result, of men using the wrong way, is that men claim that there are errors and conflicts in God's word. In Isaiah 28, God tells us how to understand His word. In addition, God preserved the message of His word; He preserves every word of His sentences; and God preserves every punctuation mark (jot and title) of His sentences. Therefore, God preserved what He wanted us to understand and God told us how to understand His word so that we have no errors and no conflicts. Unfortunately, for at least one hundred and fifty (150) yeare, men have been taught to use the wrong way to interpret God's word instead of using God's way.

In Isaiah 55:9 we are told For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Thus, God warns us that our ways are wrong and that using God's way produces better results, which have no errors and no conflicts.

In addition, 1Corinthians 2:14 tells us: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Therefore, we can not properly understand the spiritual word of God using man's way. We must use God's way to understand God's preserved word of God. And, the basics of God's way is to understand His preserved word of God using the sentence format and true Biblical definitions for Bible words.

This Study follows the Biblical Way to understand God's Word. It applies precepts ('truths that never change for any circumstance'). It then goes through the epistle sentence-upon-sentence (line upon line [Isaiah 28 ]). This is different from the ways of men which use verse-upon-verse or some other method which generates errors. God's sentence-upon-sentence method also pays attention to what 'the word of God' tells us that God preserved, which are the true Biblical meanings of words and the Biblical usage of punctuation. (These two are the components of sentences and do not give us verses.) the 'the word of God' tells us that God preserved punctuation (one jot or one tittle) in Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17. And 'the word of God' tells us that God preserved every word when he wrote: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4).

The summary of the epistle comes from the summary of each chapter and each chapter summary within that book. Every chapter summary comes from the summary of each sentence within that chapter. And, the sentence summaries come from analysis using the punctuation and true word definitions, as already explained. As a result, we have what God literally had written and see that there are no conflicts even when we consider the smallest part of a sentence compared to the entire Bible book. God is consistent from the start of a Bible book to the end and is consistent in His doctrines and word definitions across the entire Bible. What we have is an integrated whole (single) message, with no errors and no conflicts. This particular book Study is part of a detailed analysis of the entire New Testament which shows this truth.

Other than cults, all claims of errors and conflicts are based upon the New Testament. This Study is part of a series which interprets the preserved word of God using God's way and proving that there are no errors, nor any conflicts, if we obey God and use His way to interpret His word. And, this series concentrates on the New Testament, since that is the basis of these lies about the perfect word of God.

I have read, or at least skimmed, every book which has been written in the last hundred and fifty (150) years and which claims to teach people how to study and understand the word of God. In every case, they use a method which comes from man and do not use God's way (Isaiah 55:8) to study and understand the word of God. And, while there are variations from one man-written method to another man-written method, every one of them ends up with problems. The end result of those problems is that people blame God's perfect word for their own problems and either turn to a man-written 'bible' or skip verses. (By skipping the interpretation of certain verses, they can hide the conflict which their method has produced.)

Now, many people find that the Detail Studies to be overwhelming because they have everything required to prove that there are NO errors in the perfect word of God. This summary level is easier to understand for most people. At the same time, if someone has an argument with what is presented here, the matching Detail Study provides all of the proof required in order to show that what is here matches exactly what God wrote in His word. Again, this is not a matter of my opinion versus their opinion. I have over thirty (30) years’ experience as a professional Systems Analyst with an international reputation for accuracy in how to prove things. And, this series of books are the result of using recognized methods of analysis to prove what God actually wrote. This series does not present a religious opinion. Therefore, a religious opinion, which was arrived at from using wrong methods, is not superior to a true analysis of what God wrote.

People have looked for over twenty (20) years and failed to find any other work that covers everything this series cover. In addition, no one has found any other work which covers the level of detail found in the Detail Studies. Further, the Detail Studies literally have several million Bible references to support the interpretation provided and to show that the perfect word of God is consistent all across it for word definitions and doctrines. Again, no one has found any other work which has this quantity of Bible references supporting what is presented. I do not write this to brag but to inform the reader the depth of study which supports what is presented in this series.

Let any who disagree show their method and the results of their method and try to explain how their method, which produces errors, is greater that God's way which produces no errors and no conflicts.

Overview of Titus

Epistle theme: Basic Job Description of a Pastor.

Click on the following links to jump to a chapter within this study: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, God.

Many people have written all kinds of commentaries on ohis epistle. You can find many disagreements between these commentaries. The commentaries that teach doctrinal error ignore the context as they try to justify their doctrine. Such action is motivated by devils and the resulting doctrinal error can bring the judgment of God upon His people instead of the blessings that God wants to give. 1John 4:1 tells us Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.. Considerably, the commentaries which do base their comments upon what is actually written, with consideration of context and proper methods of interpretation, will agree on doctrine even while presenting different views of that doctrine.

Paul wrote three pastoral epistles: Titus, 1Timothy and 2Timothy. This epistle to Titus is giving us the pastor's basic job description and Paul tells him how to use sound doctrine to cause saved people to produce good works. In the Bible, good is defined as: 'what comes from God'. Thus, the pastor is to get God's people to do Godly works and he is to use sound doctrine to accomplish this. 1Timothy defines sound doctrine. 2Timothy warns that people within the church and outside of the church will turn against sound doctrine to fables. They will be motivated by fleshly lusts, the wisdom of this world (1Corinthians 1-3), and the doctrines of devils (2Timothy 4:1). Think about what Jesus said about the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man built his house upon a rock, which symbolically represents Christ, and was sound. The foolish man built his house upon sand, which symbolically represents religion, and his house was destroyed by the storm.

Moreover, the word doctrine is defined as 'teaching'. Thus, the pastor is instructed to lead his people by giving them 'teachings' which are based upon Christ. And, He is to avoid the 'teachings' which are based upon religion. With this context of other epistles in mind, we can now look at the details of this particular epistle.

in this book, Paul describes three groups of people and tells the pastor how to deal with each group. The first group are people who are lost but who claim to be saved. They do not personally know God our Saviour and do not have the nature of God our Saviour. Paul also describes people who are saved but are also carnal. They personally know God our Saviour but do not display His nature because they do not maintain a proper relationship with our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul calls these people evil beasts, slow bellies. That is, these people destroy the church, which is the family of God, with their evil nature and they are lazy. They want the benefits of being saved while refusing to work for the kingdom of God. Finally, Paul also describes people who are saved and spiritual. Their life displays the nature of God our Saviour.

Paul tells us how the pastor and Christian is to deal with each of these classes of people. A significant part of the theme of this epistle is the (changed / expected) nature of people who have been saved by God our Saviour. This is because people will claim to be saved and spiritually mature, but are not what they think they are (or claim to be). in this epistle, Paul tells us what evidence we need to support such a claim and what we need to do to become a spiritually mature Christian. Paul also tells us about sound doctrine because it is only when people obey sound doctrine that they can live the changed life which shows the influence of God our Saviour. Sound doctrine is found in 1:9, 13; 2:1-2; 2:8. If people follow any other form of doctrine then they will be lost or remain carnal.

The basic message of sound doctrine is to act like God our Saviour. Those people who show the character of our Saviour will follow sound doctrine. Those people who are saved but carnal will disobey sound doctrine but are expected to obey it after being taught it. Lost people will try to destroy sound doctrine.

God our Saviour gives sound doctrine and the true relationship that someone has with God our Saviour is shown by their reaction to sound doctrine. Within this epistle, Paul says that people who truly follow sound doctrine will have good works. (The use of good works is different than the religious acclaim which is often used by religious people. Most religious people judge someone by how they talk and end up being fooled by liars who happen to be good talkers.) Please see the Message called Sound Doctrine for more details about this subject in this book and other Pastoral Epistles.

We find Paul talking about good works in 1:8, 16; 2:3-5; 2:7, 2:10; 2:14; 3:1, 3:8, 3:14. Several of these verses are in the same sentences as where Paul tells about sound doctrine. Paul shows that good works are the results of sound doctrine.

Please also see the Messages called: Sound Doctrine; Pastors; Pastors Produce Missionaries; Pastoral Charge and A Christ-directed Pastor for the application of these verses in the life of a pastor. In addition, please see the Doctrinal Study on False, for things that this epistle warns us against.

Sentence Summary:

Chapter 1:

Chapter theme: Basic order in the church.

In Titus 1, we are told about different groups of people and how to identify each. Even lost people know that a person who says one thing and does another is a liar

Titus was working among people who thought it sport to 'get one over' on someone else. All throughout Proverbs, we are warned that God says such people are fools. Paul warns Titus to not make someone a church leader just because they are popular but to make sure that they have the minimum character traits of 1:7-9. These people will have overcome the bad parts of their own culture and be able to help others to do the same. In addition, Paul warns in the next sentence (1:10-11) that there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not. The church leaders have to be able to do this job or God's church will be destroyed.

C1-S1 : is the opening salutation. Within this sentence, we see that:
1. Paul uses himself to describe the nature of a Godly preacher.
2. Paul calls Titus mine own son after the common faith.
  1. Paul writes this because Titus has accepted the character of Paul when it comes to the faith that all saved are supposed to display.
  2. Paul describes the spiritual rewards that are given to people who do the same as Titus. These are denied to saved people who refuse to be like Titus.
C1-S2 : the primary purpose of a pastor.
1. The phrase For this cause left I thee in Crete tells us why Paul made Titus the pastor of this church.
2. The phrase that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting tells us that the first thing that a pastor needs to do is to get things in the church done orderly. Let all things be done decently and in order. (1Corinthians 14:40).
3. The phrase and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee is a commandment unto Titus. Most people have been taught doctrinal errors about the word: elders. The true meaning of this word is: 'older people who are accepted as wise leaders and who will lead church members to obey God and the word of God'.
4. The phrase If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly tells the qualifications for someone to be a true Biblical elder.
C1-S3 : the primary requirements to be a spiritual leader in the church.
1. In thrase For a bishop must be blameless, te true Biblical meaning of the word bishop is: 'a pastor of pastors'. Some use this to claim that all elders must be preachers. However, a bishop is one of the ral types of elders and not all preachers are, nor will become, bishops.
2. The phrase as the steward of God tells us of imary function of a true elder. He is to take care of what belongs to God and to produce a spiritual profit with God's church by leading it the way that God directs.
3. The phrases: not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate describe the character traits that all true Biblical elders must have.
4. The phrases 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 describe the actions which all true Biblical elders must do.
C1-S4 : Why these requirements exist and what the leader is to do with these people.
1. The phrases: For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision describe the circumstances which surrounded this church. Likewise, these circumstances also surround many churches of today.
2. The phrase Whose mouths must be stopped tells us how the pastor is to deal with such people.
3. The phrases: who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not tells us why the pastor must act this way.
4. The phrase for filthy lucre's sake tells us their motivation.
C1-S5 : Describes the character of most people that Titus had to deal with.
1. The phrase One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said gives us a witness for the judgment by Paul.
2. The phrase The Creti and are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies describes these people. The phrase slow bellies means: 'lazy'.
C1-S6 : Read literally.
C1-S7 : How a pastor is to deal with this type of person.
1. The phrase Wherefore rebuke them sharply tells us what he is to do.
2. The phrase that they may be sound in the faith tells us why he is to do this.
3. The phrase Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth tells us what he is to tell the people to avoid.
C1-S8 : How to separate the pure person from the defiled.
1. The phrase Unto the pure all things are pure means that such people see everything as coming from God.
2. The phrase but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure describes people who refuse to believe that God is in control, even if they claim that they believe such.
3. The phrase but even their mind and conscience is defiled tells us why them that are defiled think lie they do.
C1-S9 : Further evidence that a person is defiled.
1. The phrase They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him describes many people who claim to be saved and expect God to give them a mansion.
2. The phrases: being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate describe God's judgment of their lives.

Chapter 2:

Chapter theme: How to live if you truly obey sound doctrine.

In Titus 2, we are told that sound doctrine is to be manifested by the life of the saved. Different people in different circumstances manifest sound doctrine in different ways. in this chapter, Paul deals with how aged men, aged women, young men, servants, all men, and the preacher are to act within the church. Paul also ends the chapter with, Let no man despise thee. The circumstances of life don't determine who should be God's leader within the church and God's leader is to not allow anyone else destroy his God given authority within the church.

C2-S1 : Sound Doctrine for aged men.
1. The phrase But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine tells the pastor how he is to preach. ()Please see the message called: Sound Doctrine that is Required from Preachers for more details.)
2. The phrase That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience tells us the result that sound doctrine is expected to produce in aged men.
C2-S2 : Sound Doctrine for aged women.
1. The phrase The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness tells us the primary result that sound doctrine is expected to produce in aged women.
2. The phrase not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things tells us the character traits that sound doctrine is expected to produce in aged women.
3. The phrase That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children tells us what the aged women are to do in the church.
4. The phrase To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands tells us what character traits the aged women are to have.
5. The phrase that the word of God be not blasphemed tells us why.
C2-S3 : Sound Doctrine for Young men.(Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded).
C2-S4 : Sound Doctrine says that the pastor is to live as a pattern of good works.
1. The phrase In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works is the general statement of this sentence. The rest of this sentence gives us the details of how to obey this phrase.
2. The phrase in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity tells us the main control on what is preached.
3. The phrase Sound speech, that cannot be condemned tells us the main control that a pastor is to have on his speech.
4. The phrase that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you tells us why the pastor is to have these controls.
C2-S5 : Sound Doctrine for workers.
1. The phrase Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters tells us the primary result that sound doctrine is expected to produce in servants.
2. The phrase and to please them well in all things; not answering again tells us the attitude that Godly servants are to maintain.
3. The phrase Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity tells us the main actions that Godly servants are to maintain.
4. The phrase that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things tells us why.
C2-S6 : Why we should all obey Sound Doctrine.
1. The phrase For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men tells us that God made His grace appear to all men, but most men still need a messenger to explain it to them.
2. The phrase Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world tells us the main attitudes that we are to have because we have received God's grace.
3. The phrase Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ tells us what we are to be doing in order to maintain the attitudes and actions which God expects from the truly saved.
4. The phrase Who gave himself for us reminds us of the cost of our salvation.
5. The phrase that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works tells us the changes that Jesus Christ expects to make in the lives of all who are truly saved.
C2-S7 : Pastor: do the work. (These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority).
C2-S8 : Don't let anyone despise God's man nor God's work.

Chapter 3:

Chapter theme: Sound doctrine that should be seen in the lives of all saved people regardless of their circumstances of life.

In Titus 3, we are told sound doctrine that should be seen in the lives of all saved people regardless of their circumstances of life. All truly saved are to have a changed lifestyle that is caused by having God's life in them. We are to be careful to maintain the God-led life and not backslide to living according to the flesh. We are to also avoid the traps of foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law and to reject the heretick. Finally, we are to help God's missionaries whether they are preachers or not and we are to encourage all saved people.

C3-S1 : Teach good citizenship.
1. The phrase Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates means to obey all government officials.
2. The phrase to be ready to every good work tells us to always be ready to do the work of the ministry.
3. The phrase To speak evil of no man means don't be a gossip and keep your mouth shut unless you have good to say or you are correcting doctrinal error. And, even when correcting doctrinal error, correct the doctrine but do not say anything against the person.
4. The phrase to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men means to avoid violence if possible.
C3-S2 : Remind God's people of how they used to be and what they should no longer be.
1. The word: For means: 'Here's why we were given the command in the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived describes the character traits of people before being saved.
3. The phrase serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another describes the purpose of life that most lost people have.
C3-S3 : Remind God's people of why they need a good testimony.
1. The word: But means 'This is a continuation of the subject from the prior sentence while changing directions'.
2. The phrase after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared tells us how God our Saviour came to us and demonstrated His love toward man even while we were His enemy.
3. The phrase Not by works of righteousness which we have done means that we did nothing to earn salvation.
4. The phrase but according to his mercy he saved us means that our salvation is come in harmony with God's mercy and that there is nothing else affecting out salvation, such as the works, which our prior phrase eliminated.
5. The phrase by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost explains the change to our life which the Holy Ghost brings in at true Biblical salvation. Notice the words washing of regeneration and renewing. The 'ing' makes these words ongoing processes, which matches with what is taught throughout the Bible. That is, our changed life occurs over time due to God working through our ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour. These changes are related to the last sentence (But) in that our sinful attitudes are the things which are changed through the washing of regeneration and renewing. In addition, the word: regeneration means 'new life' and 'life' is not an instant process but continues over time. Further, the word washing refers to the ongoing process of the Holy Ghost to cleanse the sin out of our life. This also is not a one-time act but an ongoing process which lasts throughout our physical life.
6. The phrase Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour means that God the Father shed the Holy Ghost upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Anyone who tries to receive salvation any other way is rejected by God.
7. The phrase That being justified by his grace means that it is the grace of Jesus Christ our Saviour which justifies ('blots out the legal record of our sin') us. Nothing else does this.
8. The phrase we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life speaks about our receiving gifts and rewards (heirs) in harmony with (according) the hope of eternal life (what Jesus Christ our Saviour gives to all who truly allow Him to change their life through true Biblical salvation).
C3-S4 : Continuously remind God's people to produce evidence of their salvation.
1. The phrase This is a faithful saying means that the prior sentence is a faithful saying and that the rest of this sentence, which gives us the mail application of the prior sentences also a faithful saying.
2. The phrase and these things I will that thou affirm constantly means that the pastor is to constantly affirm the doctrine of the prior sentence and the application of that doctrine found in the next phrase.
3. The phrase that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works tells us to live what we claim to believe.
C3-S5 : Remind God's people that this is how they profit. (These things are good and profitable unto men).
C3-S6 : Avoid anything that is unprofitable and vain.
1. The phrase But avoid foolish questions is a general categorization of things such as: 'Can God make a rock so big that He can't lift it?'. Anyone who can get you to try and answer something like that is trying to distract you from your service to God. Such things are a waste of time.
2. The phrase and genealogies includes such things as evolution. Just tell the Bible truth and avoid the arguments which are based upon a foolish lie. If the foundation of an argument is invalid, then everything built upon it is also invalid and a waste of time to consider.
3. The phrase and contentions is speaking about people arguing for what they believe that goes against the word of God. No one has the demonstrated power of God. They can not match God nor force God to accept their opinion as valid. Therefore, anyone who argues that their opinion is valid is ignoring the obvious difference in power and, thereby, is proving that they are not reasonable. As a result, it is a waste of time and effort to argue with such people.
4. The phrase and strivings about the law represents religious people who claim to know the Bible while they take what they quote out of context and pervert the true meaning and message of the word of God. Such people have their mind controlled by Satan. All that they can do is confuse the child of God and lead them into sin. Therefore, we are to avoid their strivings about the law (religious arguments).
5. The phrase for they are unprofitable and vain tells us that the four earlier items of this sentence are unprofitable and vain. Therefore, we are to avoid all of them.
C3-S7 : Deal with an heretick.
1. The phrase A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject tells us how to deal with such person. Please see the detail note for more on the words heretick and heresy.
2. The phrase Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself means that God will judge such a person. Do not let them lead other believers astray.
C3-S8 : Do your duty to those who taught you. Our sentence says: When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Even though Titus was a preacher and a pastor, he was expected to obey his God-given apostle.
C3-S9 : Provide for the physical needs of missionaries, evangelists, and others who help God's people. (Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. ).
C3-S10 : Teach that spiritual fruit only comes from good works. (And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful).
C3-S11 : Encourage people in other churches that are doing God's work.
C3-S12 : Encourage all saints.
C3-S13 : Provide God's grace to all saved who obey the commandments of this epistle.
C3-S14 : this epistle is God's truth. (Amen). This Amen doubles what was written before it. Please also see the Significant Gospel Events for this, and other, Minor Titles of the Son of God.

Titus Chapter 1

links to sentences in this chapter:

C1-S1 (Verse 1-4), C1-S2 (Verse 5-6), C1-S3 (Verse 7-9), C1-S4 (Verse 10-11), C1-S5 (Verse 12), C1-S6 (Verse 13), C1-S7 (Verse 13-14), C1-S8 (Verse 15), C1-S9 (Verse 16)'.

In Titus 1 we are told about different groups of people and how to identify each. Even lost people know that a person who says one thing and does another is a liar. Titus was working among people who thought it sport to 'get one over' someone else. All throughout Proverbs we are warned that God says such people are fools. Paul warns Titus to not make someone a church leader just because they are popular but to make sure that they have the minimum character traits of 1:7-9. These people will have overcome the bad parts of their own culture and be able to help others to do the same. In addition, Paul warns in the next sentence (1:10-11) that there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not. The church leaders have to be able to do this job or God's church will be destroyed.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1-5	For what end Titus was left in Crete.
6-10	How they that are to be chosen ministers ought to be qualified
11	The mouths of evil teachers to be stopped;
12-16	and what manner of men they be.

C1-S1, (Verse 1-4) Opening: who the letter is fRomans to, the purpose and blessings for obeying it and the type of salvation provided by God through Jesus Christ.

Equivalent Section: this part of the sentence identifies Paul's authority to give instructions and says that those instructions are to mine own son after the common faith. This section has steps in obeying sound doctrine.

First Step: Find the God given authority.

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;.

Second Step: Believe God's promises.

In hope of eternal life,
which God,
that cannot lie,
promised before the world began;.

Third Step: Obey the manifestation of God's promises.

But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching,
which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;.

Fourth Step: Receive the character of a son : live a life that displays the nature of God our Saviour.

to Titus,
mine own son after the common faith:.

Equivalent Section: the results that people can expect if they completely do what is commanded in this epistle.

Grace,
mercy,
and peace,
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour..

There is a considerable note about this sentence in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. This sentence gives us the theme of this epistle, which is how we know that we have a proper relationship with our Saviour. That note provides the details about how Paul's choice of words in this sentence provides the outline for what he will say in this epistle. Points from this sentence:

This epistle is according to the faith of God's elect, which means it is in alignment (according to) the faith that was practiced by those who received God's blessings (God's elect) that saved, but disobedient people, did not receive. Please see the note below for details about election and for links to other notes with further details on this doctrine.
The first purpose of the epistle is the acknowledgment of the truth that is after godliness. Those people who do not do godliness are not part of God's elect and do not really acknowledge God's truth.
The second purpose of the epistle is to tell of the hope of eternal life. Please see the note for 1Corinthians 11:30 for links to the all of the verses in the Bible which use the phrase eternal life.
This hope is according to the commandment of God our Saviour.
Both purposes are manifested through preaching.
This epistle is written to Titus, mine own son. Paul includes peace in his opening only when he is writing to someone who has received Paul's character from him. (That is the meaning of son in the Bible. Please see verses - Son which has links to notes which provide more details on this Biblical definition.)
This epistle is also written after the common faith. The phrase common faith means that these instructions could be given to anyone (common) who has (after) proper faith. People who do not have proper faith will reject the lessons of this epistle, as was explained in the general note above.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:12 for links to where Paul is named within the Bible for links to every place where the phrase I Paul is used. Please also see the second half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Paul to show us how He uses a pastor / missionary to build the ministry. . We see Paul mentioned 163 times in the Bible but this is the only place in 1Timothy.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of servant. The functional definition is: 'properly one that waits, that is, stops, holds, attends, or one that is bound'. Today post people in this position are called 'employees'. Those notes have considerable discussion on this word because the Bible says a lot about how saved, who have this relationship, are to act in order to properly show Christ. in their life. Please see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. Please see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service.

(Please see the note for this sentence within the Word Study on Apostle for the use of this word within the Bible.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word accord. The functional definition is: 'Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note'.

Please see the notes for Romans C3S25; 1Corinthians C1S3; 2Corinthians C1S17; Galatians C3S27; Ephesians 6:23-LJC; Philippians 1:25-26 and 2Timothy C1S2 about the word faith. The functional definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'. As explained many times on this site, faith is an action word which Hebrews 11:1 defines as: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11 then goes on to list actions done by the elders but notice that what is in your head and heart (a belief) does not have substance, which can be sensed by others, until a person acts on their belief (faith) and produces works. Further, what is in your head and heart (a belief) can not be separated from you in order to be evidence in court. No, true faith produces works and it is the works which 'belong to' (are the results of) faith which are remembered by God and His workers.

Please see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about the word Abraham's faith. Please see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned. Please see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed. Please see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please see the note for Romans C3S25 about the phrase Law and faith. Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith. Please also see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about Christ Jesus is faithful. We find forms of the word faith occurring in Titus, in: 1:1,4; 1:6; 1:9; 1:13; 2:2; 3:8 and 3:15.

Please see the Word Study called Election. The functional definition for this word is: 'saved and living a life that is a testimony of the changes which the ministries Jesus Christ cause. In the Bible, this word is not used in the Bible to separate the lost from the saved, as is erroneously taught, but to separate saved people who are in God's way of obedience from saved people who are not in God's way of obedience'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 4:10-LJC about the word predestine. God does not predestine anyone to Hell but predestines everyone to Heaven (1Timothy 2:4). However, since God gave everyone a free will, men can reject God's predestination and go to Hell. Those people who truly go to God must go God's way. God does not elect people but elects a way. Those people who go God's way, to God, are God's elect. Please also note that our sentence tells us that our election is of ('belongs to') God. The election taught by doctrinal error does not 'belong to' God because it does not match the character of the God of the Bible.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 16:18 for links to every verse in the Bible which uses any form of the word acknowledge. The functional definition is: 'To own, avow or admit to be true, by a declaration of assent'.

Please see the notes for C1-S2; 2Corinthians 11:2 and 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the words: Godly, ungodly , and godliness. The functional definition, for the word Godly, is: 'a god-like Pious; reverencing God, and his character and laws. 1. Living in obedience to God's commands, from a principle of love to him and reverence of his character and precepts; religious; righteous; as a Godly person'. The functional definition, for the word ungodly , is: 'A lost person whose lifestyle shows that they are lost and have nothing to do with obeying and trusting God'. In addition, please also see the note for 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word unjust. These three words are often confused because people teach wrong definitions for these words in order to justify doctrinal error.

Hope is: 'an action word just like faith is. However, where true Biblical faith is based upon a promise which we can point to within the Bible, true Biblical hope is based upon the character of our Lord Jesus Christ'. Please see the notes for Romans C4S18; 1Corinthians C13S10 and Philippians 1:19-20 about the word hope. The functional definition is: 'Hope is an action word like faith but where faith is based upon a promise in the word of God, hope is based upon the character of God'. We find forms of the word hope in: 1:2; 2:13 and 3:7.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:17-18 about the word eternal. The functional definition is: 'without beginning or end. Only God, and things from God like God's life, are eternal'.

We find forms of the word life / live occurring 1035 times in 937 verses of the Bible, 338 times in 301 verses of the New Testament, and in Titus, in: 1:2; 2:12; 3:3,7. Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 about the word life. That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. Please also see the notes for Life in 1John about the word life. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. Please see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC and Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S15 and Galatians C3-S15 about the word promise. Those notes have a considerable discussion about the promises of God. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'In a general sense, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made, a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act. the promise of a visit to my neighbor, gives him a right to expect it, and I am bound in honor and civility to perform the promise. Of such a promise human laws have no cognizance; but the fulfillment of it is one of the minor moralities, which civility, kindness and strict integrity require to be observed. 2. In law, a declaration, verbal or written, made by one person to another for a good or valuable consideration, in the nature of a covenant, by which the promisor binds himself, and as the case may be, his legal representatives, to do or forbear some act; and gives to the promise a legal right to demand and enforce a fulfillment. 3. A binding declaration of something to be done or given for another's benefit; as the promise of a grant of land. A promise may be absolute or conditional; lawful or unlawful; express or implied. An absolute promise must be fulfilled at all events. the obligation to fulfill a conditional promise depends on the performance of the condition. An unlawful promise is not binding, because it is void; for it is incompatible with a prior paramount obligation of obedience to the laws. An express promise, is one expressed in words or writing. An implied promise, is one which reason and justice dictate. If I hire a man to perform a day's labor, without any declaration that I will pay him, the law presumes a promise on my part that I will give him a reasonable reward, and will enforce much implied promise. 4. Hopes; expectation, or that which affords expectation of future distinction; as a youth of great promise. My native country was full of youthful promise. 5. that which is promised; fulfillment or grant of what is promised. He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. Acts.1. 6. In Scripture, the promise of God is the declaration or assurance which God has given in his word of bestowing blessings on his people. Such assurance resting on the perfect justice, power, benevolence and immutable veracity of God, cannot fail of performance. The Lord is not slack concerning his promises. 2 Pet.3.
PROM'ISE, v.t. to make a declaration to another, which binds the promisor in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear some act; as, to promise a visit to a friend; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money. 1. to afford reason to expect; as, the year promises a good harvest. 2. to make declaration or give assurance of some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow. The proprietors promised large tracts of land.
PROM'ISE, v.i. to assure one by a promise or binding declaration. the man promises fair; let us forgive him. 1. to afford hopes or expectations; to give ground to expect good. the youth promises to be an eminent man; the wheat promises to be a good crop; the weather promises to be pleasant. 2. In popular use, this verb sometimes threatens or assures of evil. the rogue shall be punished, I promise you. Will not the ladies be afraid of the lion? --I fear it, I promise you. In the latter example, promise is equivalent to declare; "I declare to you." 3. to promise one's self, to be assured or to have strong confidence. I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced'.

Torrey's Topical Textbook provides references for the word promise as: 'Contained in the Scriptures: Ro 1:2. Made in Christ: Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. made to: Christ: Ga 3:16,19. Abraham: Ge 12:3,7. Isaac: Ge 26:3-4. Jacob: Ge 28:14. David: 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3-4,35-36. The Israelites: Ro 9:4. The Fathers: Ac 13:32; 26:6-7. All who are called of God: Ac 2:39. Those who love him: Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath: Ps 89:3-4. The covenant established upon: Heb 8:6. God is faithful to: Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers: Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54-55. ARE: Good: 1Ki 8:56. Holy: Ps 105:42. Exceeding great and precious: 2Pe 1:4. Confirmed in Christ: Ro 15:8. Yea and amen in Christ: 2Co 1:20. Fulfilled in Christ: 2Sa 7:12; Ac 13:23; Lu 1:69-73. Through the righteousness of faith: Ro 4:13,16. Obtained through faith: Heb 11:33. Given to those who believe: Ga 3:22. Inherited through faith and patience: Heb 6:12; 10:36. Performed in due season: Jer 33:14; Ac 7:17; Ga 4:4. Not one shall fail: Jos 23:14; 1Ki 8:56. The law not against: Ga 3:21. The law could not disannul: Ga 3:17. SUBJECTS OF: Christ: 2Sa 7:12-13. The Holy Ghost: Ac 2:33; Eph 1:13. The gospel: Ro 1:1-2. Life in Christ: 2Ti 1:1. A crown of life: Jas 1:12. Eternal life: Tit 1:2; 1Jo 2:25. The life that now is: 1Ti 4:8. Adoption: 2Co 6:18-7:1. Preservation in affliction: Isa 43:2. Blessing: De 1:11. Forgiveness of sins: Isa 1:18; Heb 8:12. Putting the law into the heart: Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10. Second coming of Christ: 2Pe 3:4. New heavens and earth: 2Pe 3:13. Entering into rest: Jos 22:4; Heb 4:1. Should lead to perfecting holiness: 2Co 7:1. The inheritance of the saints is of: Ro 4:13; Ga 3:18. SAINTS: Children of: Ro 9:8; Ga 4:28. Heirs of: Ga 3:29; Heb 6:17; 11:9. Stagger not at: Ro 4:20. Have implicit confidence in: Heb 11:11. Expect the performance of: Lu 1:38,45; 2Pe 3:13. Sometimes, through infirmity, tempted to doubt: Ps 77:8,10. Plead in prayer: Ge 32:9,12; 1Ch 17:23,26. Should wait for the performance of: Ac 1:4. Gentiles shall be partakers of: Eph 3:6. Man, by nature, has no interest in: Eph 2:12. Scoffers despise: 2Pe 3:3-4. Fear, lest ye come short of: Heb 4:1'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word promise as: 'For Endurance: Mt 10:22; Mr 13:13; Heb 12:7; Jas 1:12; 5:11; 1Pe 2:19. God's , Characteristics of: Unfailing: 1Ki 8:56. Assured by Divine Ability: Ro 4:21. Grounded in Christ: 2Co 1:20; 7:1. Of Infinite Value: 2Pe 1:4. Culminate in Everlasting Life: 1Jo 2:25. Of Answer to Prayer: Ps 91:15; Isa 41:17; 58:9; 65:24; Jer 33:3; Zec 13:9; Lu 11:9; Joh 14:14; 15:7; 1Jo 3:22. Of Blessings: Temporal and Spiritual Promised: Ex 23:25; Le 26:4; De 28:2; Ps 81:16; Pr 28:20; Isa 30:23; Joe 2:26; Am 9:13; Zec 10:1; Mal 3:10; Mt 6:33; Lu 18:30. Of Cleansing: Spiritual, Promised: Ps 65:3; Isa 1:18; Eze 36:25; Zec 13:1; Mal 3:3; Eph 5:25-26; Tit 3:5; Heb 9:14; 1Jo 1:7; Re 1:5. Of Comfort: God as the Giver of: Ps 71:21; 86:17; Isa 12:1; 51:3,12; 66:13; 2Co 1:3; 7:6. Christ's Words a Source of: Mt 9:22; Mr 5:36; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1,18; 16:33; 2Th 2:16. See Christ; Words of. Special Comforting Passages: Job 5:19; 11:16; Ps 27:5; 30:5; 42:5; 103:13; 119:50; 138:7; Isa 46:4; 61:3; 63:9; Mt 5:4; Joh 14:1; Ro 8:28; 1Th 3:7; 4:13. Of Deliverance: Promised, to Believers: Job 5:19; Ps 91:3; 116:8; Isa 46:4; 1Co 10:13; 2Co 1:10; 2Ti 4:18; Heb 2:15; 2Pe 2:9. Of forgiveness: Divine Promised: Le 5:10; Ps 103:3; 130:4; Eze 18:22; Mt 6:14; Mr 3:28; Ac 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Jas 5:15; 1Jo 1:9. Of Guidance: Promised to the Obedient: Into Pleasant Paths: Ps 23:2. In Making Decisions: Ps 25:9; 32:8. Unto the End of Life: Ps 48:14. By Wise Counsel: Ps 73:24. By the Still Small Voice: Isa 30:21. In the Midst of Uncertainties: Isa 42:16; 48:17. By Divine Illumination: Lu 1:79; Joh 10:4. Into all Truth: Joh 16:13. Of Health: Promised to the obedient: Ex 15:26; De 7:15; Pr 4:22; Jer 30:17. See Immunity. Of Long Life: Promised to the Obedient: De 5:33; 11:21; 1Ki 3:14; Job 5:26; Ps 91:16; Pr 3:2; 9:11; 10:27; Isa 65:22; Zec 8:4; 1Pe 3:10. Of Mercy: Promises of Divine: Ex 34:7; 2Sa 22:26; 2Ch 30:9; Ps 89:28; 103:8; Isa 54:7; 55:7; Jer 3:12. Of Pardon: Isa 43:25; 44:22; 55:7; Jer 5:1; 31:34; 33:8; Eze 36:25; Mic 7:18; Heb 8:12; 1Jo 1:9. Of Peace: Promised to Believers: the Gift of God: Ps 29:11. Abundant: Ps 119:165; Pr 3:17. Perfect: Isa 26:3. Like a River: Isa 48:18; 54:13; Eze 34:25. Legacy of Christ: Joh 14:27; 16:33. Passeth Understanding: Php 4:7. Of Plenty: Promised to the obedient: Le 26:5; De 30:9; Ps 132:15; Pr 3:10; Isa 30:23; Eze 36:30; Am 9:13; Zec 8:12. Of Posterity: Ge 15:5,18; 17:20; 22:17; 26:24; Le 26:9; De 7:13; Ro 4:18. Of Preservation: Preserving the Faithful: De 6:24; Jos 24:17; 2Sa 8:6; Ne 9:6; Ps 31:23; 37:28; 146:9; Pr 2:8; Isa 49:8; 2Ti 4:18. SPIRITUAL PROGRESS A Characteristic of the Righteous: Job 17:9; Ps 84:7; 92:12; Pr 4:18; 2Co 3:18; 1Ti 4:15. Of Protection: Promised to Believers: 2Ch 16:9; Ps 34:7; 41:2; 91:4; 125:2; Zec 2:5; Lu 21:18. Of Reward: forSpiritual Service: the Soul-winners: Da 12:3. Humble Servants: Mt 10:42. The Faithful Stewards: Mt 25:23. The Benevolent: Lu 6:35; Joh 4:36. The Good of All Nations: Ro 2:10; 1Co 3:8. All Ranks and Stations: Eph 6:8; Col 3:24. ForSuffering Endured: Mt 5:11-12; Ro 8:17; 2Ti 2:12; Heb 10:34; 11:26; Re 20:4. Of Safety: (of the righteous assured): Ps 91:10; 112:8; 121:3; Pr 1:33; 3:23; 12:21; 21:31; Isa 32:18; Jer 23:6. Of Salvation: Ps 91:16; Isa 45:17; Mr 16:16; Lu 19:9; Ac 11:14; 16:31. Of Spiritual Gifts: An Everlasting Name: Isa 56:4-5. Spiritual Knowledge: Jer 24:7. A New Heart: Eze 11:19. Spiritual Rest: Mt 11:28. The Holy Spirit: Lu 11:13. Eternal Life: Joh 10:28; Jas 1:17. A Spiritual Crown: Re 2:10,17. Of Strength: 2Sa 22:40; Isa 28:5-6; 40:31; 41:10; Da 11:32; Eph 3:16; Col 1:11. Of Wisdom: Pr 2:6; Ec 2:26; Da 2:21; Lu 21:15; Jas 1:5. Tothe Afflicted: Promises to the Afflicted: Job 11:16. Brighter Days: Ps 30:5. Deliverance: Ps 34:19-20. Divine Care in Sickness: Ps 41:3; 50:15; 94:12; 138:7. Comfort of God's Presence: Isa 43:2. An Eternal Home: Joh 14:1-2. All things work for the Believer's Good: Ro 8:28; 2Co 4:17. Sufficiency of Divine Grace: 2Co 12:9. Fellowship in Christ's Sufferings: 1Pe 4:12-13. Membership in the Company of the Redeemed: Re 7:13-14. Final Deliverance from Sorrow and Pain: Re 21:4. ToBelievers: Special Promises to those who Exercise Faith: Answer to Prayer: Mt 21:22. Sonship: Joh 1:12; 7:38. Power: Joh 14:12; Ro 10:11; Col 1:23. Soul Rest: Heb 4:3. Spiritual Inheritance: Jas 2:5. Spiritual Foundation: 1Pe 2:6. Spiritual Assurance: 1Jo 5:14. ToBelievers: Bodily Supplies: Ps 37:3. Unlimited Blessings: Mr 9:23. Answers to Prayer: Mr 11:24. Removal of Obstacles: Lu 17:6. Divine Sonship: Joh 1:12. Eternal Life: Joh 3:14-15; 5:24. Spiritual Fulness: Joh 6:35; 11:26. Spiritual Light: Joh 12:46. Power for Service: Joh 14:12. Salvation: Ro 1:16; 1Pe 2:6. Special Promises to Children, examples of: Reverent Children: De 5:16. Forsaken Children: Ps 27:10. Early Seekers: Pr 8:17. Obedient Children: Pr 8:32. Lambs of the Flock: Isa 40:11. Little Children: Mr 10:14. Children of Believers: Ac 2:39. The Commandment with Promise: Eph 6:2. Tothe Contrite: Ps 34:18; 51:17; Isa 57:15; 66:2; Joe 2:13; Zec 12:10; 2Co 7:10. Tothe Humble: Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2; Lu 9:48; 14:11; Jas 4:6; 1Pe 5:5. Tothe Liberal: Ps 41:1; Pr 3:9-10; 11:25; 22:9; 28:27; Ec 11:1; Isa 58:10; Lu 6:38; 14:14; 2Co 9:7. Tothe Meek: Ps 22:26; 37:11; 147:6; 149:4; Isa 11:4; 29:19; Mt 5:5. Tothe Merciful: Ps 41:3; 112:9; Pr 11:17; 14:31; Isa 58:10; Da 4:27; Mt 5:7; 6:14; 25:40; Lu 6:38. Tothe Obedient: Ex 20:6; 23:22; De 4:40; 11:27; 1Ki 11:38; Isa 1:19; Mr 3:35; Lu 11:28; Joh 7:17; 14:23. Tothe Overcomers: Rewards Bestowed upon those who Overcome: 1Jo 2:13; 4:4; 5:5. Spiritual Food: Re 2:7. A New Name: Re 2:17. Authority: Re 2:26. Robes of Righteousness: Re 3:5. A Memorial Pillar: Re 3:12. Enthronement: Re 3:21; 12:11. An Eternal Inheritance: Re 21:7. Tothe Penitent: Ps 34:18; Jer 3:22; Joe 2:13; Mic 7:18; Lu 6:21; 15:7; Ac 2:38; 3:19. Tothe Poor: to the Poor: Job 5:15. Divine Protection: Ps 12:5; 14:6; 68:10; 69:33; 109:31; 140:12; Isa 11:4. An Overshadowing Providence: Isa 25:4. Answer to Prayer: Isa 41:17. heavenly Inheritance: Jas 2:5. Tothe Prayerful: Promises of Answer: Ps 91:15; Isa 41:17; 58:9; 65:24; Jer 33:3; Zec 13:9; Lu 11:9; Joh 14:14; 15:7; 1Jo 3:22. Tothe Righteous: Job 36:7; Ps 34:15; 37:25; 92:12; Pr 3:32; 4:18; 12:13; 20:7; Isa 3:10; Mt 13:43. ToSaints: Ps 37:28; 97:10; 116:15; 132:16; 149:9; Da 7:27; 1Co 6:2; Re 11:18. ToSeekers: De 4:29; 2Ch 7:14; Pr 8:17; Jer 29:13; Lu 11:9; 18:7; Joh 14:14. Tothe Tempted: Power to Tread on Evil forces: Lu 10:19. Safety through Christ's Intercession: Lu 22:31-32. The Bruising of the Serpent's Head: Ro 16:20. Provision of a Way of Escape: 1Co 10:13. Succour in the Trying Hour: Heb 2:18. Final Victory: Jas 4:7; 1Jo 4:4; Re 3:10. Enthronement with Christ: Re 3:21. Tothe Upright: Ps 7:10; 32:11; 37:37; 49:14; 64:10; 97:11; 112:4; Pr 2:7,21; 10:9; 14:11; 28:6. Tothe Widow and Fatherless: God's Care for: De 10:18; Ps 10:14; 68:5; 146:9; Pr 15:25; Jer 49:11; Ho 14:3. ToReligious Workers: Da 12:3; Mr 9:41; Ro 2:10; 1Co 3:14; 15:58; Heb 6:10; Jas 1:25'.

Please see the note for Romans 16:25-27 which gives links to every place in the New Testament that uses any form of the word world and provides the definition from Webster's 1828 . Please also see the notes for 1Timothy 1:15; 2Timothy C1S5; 1Corinthians C1S19 and World in 1John about the word world. The functional definition is: 'The world is not the earth but is all of the people in the earth and often is used for the majority opinion / thought process. that opinion / thought process is the result of lost people thinking that they know better than God does and believe Satan's lie'. Please also see the note for John 9:5 about the phrase light of the world.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:34 about the word due. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Owed; that ought to be paid or done to another. that is due from me to another which contract, justice or propriety requires me to pay, and which he may justly claim as his right. Reverence is due to the creator; civility is due from one man to another. Money is due at the expiration of the credit given, or at the period promised. 2. Proper; fit; appropriate; suitable; becoming; required by the circumstances; as, the event was celebrated with due solemnities. Men seldom have a due sense of their depravity. 3. Seasonable; as, he will come in due time. 4. Exact; proper; as, the musici and keep due time. 5. Owing to; occasioned by. Little used. 6. that ought to have arrived, or to be present, before the time specified; as, two mails are now due.
DUE, adv. Directly; exactly; as a due east course.
DUE, n. 1. that which is owed; that which one contracts to pay, do or perform to another; that which law or justice requires to be paid or done. the money that I contract to pay to another is his due; the service which I covenant to perform to another is his due; reverence to the creator is his due. 2. that which office, rank, station, social relations, or established rules of right or decorum, require to be given, paid or done. Respect and obedience to parents and magistrates are their due. 3. that which law or custom requires; as toll, tribute, fees of office, or other legal perquisites. 4. Right; just title. The key of this infernal pit by due--I keep.'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1John-Manifest about the word manifest. Please see the notes for Romans C3S20 about the word manifested. We find forms of the word manifest occurring in our current verse and 5:25. The functional definition is: 'made available for extensive examination that uses multiple means to accomplish the examination'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The functional definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, the word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that the word of the Lord is a sub-set of the word of God. the word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of the word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

Please see the note for Romans C10S17 about the word preacher. The functional definition is: 'One who discourses publicly on religious subjects. 1. One that inculcates anything with earnestness'. Our current sentence is the only place within 1Timothy where We find this word. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Corinthians C15S1; Galatians C1-S4 and 2Timothy 4:1-LJC about the word preach. The word preached is found in 3:16.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S26 about the word commit. The functional definition is: 'To do a premeditated act or to trust another to do it; with no possibility of taking the thing back'.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment. The functional definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'. Please note that a commandment is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us. Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible. Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment. Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God. Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments. This word is also used in the following sentences: 1:14.

Please see the note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study about the word Saviour. There is a considerable amount about this verse in that note. In addition, please see the Word Study on Saviour, which explains the single definition and multiple applications of this word. Also, please see the LJV-verses which has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word. In general, the word Saviour is like 'parent'. We have multiple 'parents' and each has a different function in the creation and raising of a child. Likewise, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, God the Son as Lord, God the Son as Jesus and God the Son as Christ each have different functions in the salvation (creation) and sanctification (raising) of a child of God. Please note that in this sentence we read God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Please see the note for Galatians C2-S1 for links to every place where we find the name of Titus. He is only one of three men that Paul calls son because, out of all the preachers that Paul trained, only those three received Paul's character in the ministry.

Please see the note for son within the Lord Jesus Christ Study about the word Son. In addition, please see the LJC-Summary, which explains the single definition and multiple applications of this word. Also, please see the LJV-verses which has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word. In general, the word Son is 'a person who has received the spiritual character of their father'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S10 about the word common. The functional definition is: 'Of no rank or superior excellence; ordinary and applies to the majority of any grouping. Not noble, not distinguished'.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S5; Romans C4S17; Galatians 1:1 and Ephesians C1S2 about the word grace. We find forms of the word grace occurring in Titus, in: our 1:1; 2:11; 3:7 and 3:15. The word grace is usually presented as 'God's riches at Christ Expense'. However, that obviously does not fit in James 1:11. So while that is the main application within the Bible, the true definition is: 'that which makes the source look good'. We are given God's grace for the expressed purpose of making God look good.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S1 and Colossians C3S8 about the word mercy. Please see the note for Romans 12:1 for links to verses in the New Testament where mercy is in the same verse with God. The functional definition is: 'not getting the punishment you deserve'. Please see the notes for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S16 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word peace. Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel. Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel. The functional definition is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'. Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:22). Please see the notes for Romans 10:15 and Hebrews 12:14-LJC about peace with God.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. That note has a dictionary definition and links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'The being who gives his character to his son'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a servant. 1Ch 6:49; Ro 1:1; Php 1:1 exp: Jas 1:1. faith. Joh 10:26-27; Ac 13:48; Eph 2:8; 2Th 2:13-14; 1Ti 1:5 exp: Ro 3:3; Heb 11:1. The acknowledging. Col 2:2; 2Ti 2:23,25; 1Jo 2:23 after. Tit 2:11-12; 1Ti 1:4; 3:16; 6:3; 2Pe 1:3; 3:11
In. or, for. hope. Tit 2:7,13; 3:7; Joh 5:39; 6:68; Ro 2:7; 5:2,4; Col 1:27; 1Th 5:8; 2Ti 1:1; 2:10; 1Pe 1:3-4; 1Jo 2:25; 3:2-3; Jude 1:21 eternal. Mt 25:46; Mr 10:17,30; Joh 3:15-16; 6:54; 10:28; 17:2; Ro 5:21; 6:23; 1Ti 6:12,19; 1Jo 5:11-13,20 exp: Mt 19:16; Heb 9:15. God. Nu 23:19; 1Sa 15:29; 1Th 2:13; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 6:17-18 exp: Ps 31:5; 1Co 1:9; 1Jo 5:11. promised. 2Ti 1:1,9; Re 17:8 before. Pr 8:23-31; Mt 25:34; Joh 17:24; Ac 15:18; Ro 16:25; 1Pe 1:20-23; Re 13:8 exp: 2Ti 1:9. General references. exp: Jos 1:3; 21:45; 1Jo 2:25.
in. Da 8:23; 9:24-27; 10:1; 11:27; Hab 2:3; Ac 17:26; Ro 5:6; Ga 4:4; Eph 1:10; 1Ti 2:6; 2Ti 1:10 exp: 1Pe 5:6. manifested. Mr 13:10; 16:15; Ac 10:36; Ro 10:14-15; 15:19; 16:26; Eph 2:17; 3:5-8; Php 1:13; Col 1:6,23; 1Ti 2:5; Re 14:16 which. 1Co 9:17; 1Th 2:4; 1Ti 1:11; 2:7; 2Ti 1:11 God. Tit 2:10,13; 3:4-6; Isa 12:2; 45:15,21; 1Ti 1:1; 2:3; 4:10 exp: Ps 106:21; Jude 1:25.
Titus. 2Co 2:13; 7:6,13-14; 8:6,16,23; 12:18; Ga 2:3 exp: Ga 2:1; 2Ti 4:10. mine. 1Ti 1:1-2; 2Ti 1:2 the common. Ro 1:12; 2Co 4:13; 2Pe 1:1; Jude 1:3 Grace. Ro 1:7; Eph 1:2; Col 1:2; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2 our. Tit 1:3; Lu 2:11; Joh 4:42; 2Pe 1:11; 2:20; 3:2,18; 1Jo 5:14 exp: 2Ti 1:10. General references. exp: Eph 1:2'.

Home Start of Chapter

C1-S2, (Verse 5-6) Why Titus was left in Crete and the type of person he was to search for to make them an elder.

Equivalent Section: Why Titus was sent to Crete.

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:.

Equivalent Section: Primary qualifications of an elder.

If any be blameless,
the husband of one wife,
having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly..

This sentence starts out with For, which means 'Here's why'. Notice that the first reason that Paul gives is thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting. Paul says things are wanting because there are lost people claiming to be saved and carnal saved people trying to be spiritual leaders. Remember that this epistle is about how to tell the difference between these three classes of people and Paul would not have written this epistle to Titus if Titus did not need to deal with these classes of people. Notice that after Titus was to set in order the things that are wanting, he was to ordain elders in every city. These elders were to keep things in order after they were set up properly. They were not to change from God's way as taught through Paul. In order to do this, Titus had to select elders as Paul appointed thee. Paul appointed the criteria to be based upon character as displayed by the life they lived. Notice the equivalent part of this sentence, which gives the basic character required to be an elder. Paul defines blameless in the next sentence. But Paul doesn't stop there but goes on to include the wife and children. Some people can fool everyone but those who live with them and can even get them to go along with the act. However, even when the wife and children are supporting a man's act, their own actions reveal what they are living with 'behind closed doors'.

We find the word Crete in the Bible in: Acts 2:11; Acts 27:7; Acts 27:12-13; Acts 27:21 and our current sentence. As seen by the usage in Acts, this was a well-known place at the time of the early church. It was used for trade and navigation. Therefore, it could be very important in sending the Gospel throughout the known world. However, the people in the church there had to first be converted to not only be saved but to also live a life which displayed the character of Christ.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians C2S5 for links to every place in 2Corinthians where we find forms of the word cause along with the definition from Webster's 1828 . That definition gives this word legal implications. The functional definition is: 'Basically, the source of a result. It can also be an action in court, or any legal process whereby someone demands his supposed right'. Please note that the Biblical use of this word means that the cause will come up at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10 2Corinthians 5:10-11). Please also see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. Please also see the note for John 15:25 about the phrase without cause. In John 15:25, we read that the prophecy was fulfilled about Jesus that: They hated me without a cause.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S3 about the word order. The functional definition is: 'Regular disposition or methodical arrangement of things'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:14 about the word want. The functional definition is: 'Lack; be deficient. De 28:48'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S14; Romans C13S3 and 1Corinthians C7S20 about the word ordain / ordinance. The functional definition is: 'Properly, to set; to establish in a particular office or order; hence, to invest with a ministerial function or sacerdotal power; to introduce and establish or settle in the pastoral office with the customary forms and solemnities; as, to ordain a minister of the gospel'.

Please see the note for Luke 3:13 about the word appoint. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to fix; to settle; to establish; to make fast. When he appointed the foundations of the earth. Prov. 8. 2. to constitute, ordain, or fix by decree, order or decision. Let Pharaoh appoint officers over the land. Gen. 41. He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world. Act. 17. 3. to allot, assign or designate. Aaron and his sons shall appoint every one to his service. Num 4. These cities were appointed for all the children of Israel. Josh. 20. 4. to purpose or resolve; to fix the intention. Forso he had appointed. Acts 20. 5. to ordain, command or order. Thy servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the King shall appoint. 2Sam. 15. 6. to settle; to fix, name or determine by agreement; as, they appointed a time and place for the meeting'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:1 about the word elder. The functional definition is: 'Highly influential people who may not hold a formal office within the church and yet have a lot of power with church members'. However, in this case, since Titus was to ordain elders, they were to be given a formal office officially recognizing their influence. Thus, in this case, these people became the 'Church officers'. As seen in legal terms used within many countries, these may include non-pastors such as deacons who have a legal light to sign checks and other legal instruments. However, this does not include the practice of some churches to make this some church title with no binding legal authority. The term 'Corporate Officer' has a definite legal application and someone claiming that title without the matching legal authority is in violation of the law. Likewise, giving the title of elder to someone without also giving them the appropriate authority is a violation of God's Word.

Please see the note for Mark 11:19 about the word city. The functional definition for this word is: 'An area where many people live together and have a local government rule over them'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the phrase city of refuge. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:14-16 for links to every place in the Bible where we find forms of the word blameless along with a definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary and links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure. A bishop then must be blameless. 1 Tim.3'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C3S9 about the word husband. The functional definition is: ''.

Please see the note for Colossians C3S13 about the word wife. The functional definition is: 'The lawful consort of man; a woman who is united to man in the lawful bonds of wedlock; the correlative of husband'.

We find forms of the word faithful 111 times in 107 verses of the Bible, 55 times in 51 verses of the Bible, and, in Titus, in: 1:6; 1:9 and 3:8. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'as a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy (Ac 10:45; 16:1; 2Co 6:15; Col 1:2; 1Ti 4:3,12; 5:16; 6:2; Tit 1:6; Eph 1:1; 1Co 4:17, etc.). It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted (Ps 119:86,138; Isa 25:1; 1Ti 1:15; Re 21:5; 22:6, etc.)'. Please also see the note for 1:1 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of faith. Please also see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about Christ Jesus is faithful.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word faithful as: 'Sayings: 1Ti 1:15; 4:9; 2Ti 2:11; Tit 3:8. Servants: Ex 21:5; Ps 123:2; Pr 17:2; 25:13; 27:18; Mt 24:45. Faithful, Christ: 1Th 5:24; 2Th 3:3; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 2:17; 10:23; Re 1:5; 19:11. Faithfulness: Of God: De 7:9; 9:5; 1Ki 8:56; Ps 36:5; 89:1; 105:8; 1Co 1:9; Heb 6:18; 1Pe 4:19. Of Christ: 1Th 5:24; 2Th 3:3; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 2:17; 10:23; Re 1:5; 19:11. Of Men: Of Joseph: Ge 39:6. The Workmen Under Jehoiada: 2Ki 12:15. The Workmen Under Hilkiah: 2Ch 34:11-12. Nehemiah's Treasurers: Ne 13:13. Of Daniel: Da 6:4. Required of Stewards: 1Co 4:2. Of Moses: Heb 3:5. In Business: Faithfulness to God, examples of: Nu 12:7; 14:24; 1Ki 19:18; Ne 7:2; 1Co 4:17; Col 1:7; 4:9; Re 17:14. Faithfulness-Unfaithfulness: FAITHFULNESS, DIVINE: Of God: De 7:9; 9:5; 1Ki 8:56; Ps 36:5; 89:1; 105:8; 1Co 1:9; Heb 6:18; 1Pe 4:19. Of Christ: 1Th 5:24; 2Th 3:3; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 2:17; 10:23; Re 1:5; 19:11. FIDELITY: In Business: to God, examples of: Nu 12:7; 14:24; 1Ki 19:18; Ne 7:2; 1Co 4:17; Col 1:7; 4:9; Re 17:14. Rewards of: Mt 24:45; Lu 19:17; Re 2:10; 20:4. In Keeping the Covenant with God: Ex 19:5; De 33:9; Ps 103:17-18; 132:12; Isa 56:4; Da 9:4. UNFAITHFULNESS of men: Warnings Concerning: Song 1:6; Isa 5:7; Ho 10:1; Mt 21:43; 25:24-25; Lu 16:12. Covenant-breakers: Le 26:15; Ps 55:20; Isa 24:5; 33:8; Jer 11:10; 22:9; Eze 17:19; 44:7; Ro 1:31-32; Heb 8:9. APOSTASY: Warnings Concerning: 1Ti 1:19; 4:1; 2Ti 4:4; Heb 3:12; 2Pe 3:17. Examples of: Ex 32:1; De 13:13; Jg 2:17; Ne 9:26; Eze 36:20; Ac 7:39; 2Ti 4:10; Heb 6:6; 1Jo 2:19. FORSAKING GOD: General References to: 2Ch 15:2; Ezr 8:22; Jer 1:16; 2:13; 5:19; 15:6; Eze 6:9; 2Pe 2:15. Examples of: De 28:20; Jg 10:13; 1Sa 8:8; 1Ki 11:33; 2Ch 12:1; 21:10; Ezr 9:10; Isa 43:22; Jer 17:13. FORSAKING CHRIST: Mt 19:22; 26:56; Joh 6:66; 1Jo 2:19. '.

Nave's Topical Bible provides references for the word faithful as: 'EXHORTATION TO: Ps 12:1; 31:23; Pr 20:6; 28:20; Mt 10:22; 24:45-47; 25:14-23; Lu 12:42-44; 16:10-12; 19:12-27; 1Co 4:2; Re 2:10. INSTANCES OF: Abraham: Ga 3:9. Moses: Heb 3:5. David: 2Sa 22:22-25. Elijah: 1Ki 19:10,14. Abijah: 2Ch 13:4-20. Jehoshaphat: 2Ch 20:1-30. Job: Job 1:21-22; 2:9-10'.

Torrey's Topical Textbook provides references for the word faithful as: 'A characteristic of saints: Eph 1:1; Col 1:2; 1Ti 6:2; Re 17:14. EXHIBITED IN: the service of God: Mt 24:45. Declaring the word of God: Jer 23:28; 2Co 2:17; 4:2. The care of dedicated things: 2Ch 31:12. Helping the brethren: 3Jo 1:5. Bearing witness: Pr 14:5. Reproving others: Pr 27:6; Ps 141:5. Situations of trust: 2Ki 12:15; Ne 13:13; Ac 6:1-3. Doing work: 2Ch 34:12. Keeping secrets: Pr 11:13. Conveying messages: Pr 13:17; 25:13. All things: 1Ti 3:11. The smallest matters: Lu 16:10-12. Should be unto death: Re 2:10. ESPECIALLY REQUIRED IN. Ministers: 1Co 4:2; 2Ti 2:2. The wives of ministers: 1Ti 3:11. The children of ministers: Tit 1:6. Difficulty of finding: Pr 20:6. The wicked devoid of: Ps 5:9. Associate with those who exhibit: Ps 101:6. Blessedness of: 1Sa 26:23; Pr 28:20. Blessedness of, illustrated: Mt 24:45; 25:21,23. Exemplified: Joseph, Ge 39:22-23. Moses, Nu 12:7; Heb 3:2,5. David, 1Sa 22:14. Hananiah, Ne 7:2. Abraham, Ne 9:8; Ga 3:9. Daniel, Da 6:4. Paul, Ac 20:20,27. Timothy, 1Co 4:17. Tychicus, Eph 6:21. Epaphras, Col 1:7. Onesimus, Col 4:9. Silvanus, 1Pe 5:12. Antipas, Re 2:13. Faithfulness of God, the Is part of His character: Isa 49:7; 1Co 1:9; 1Th 5:24. DECLARED to BE. Great: La 3:23. Established: Ps 89:2. Incomparable: Ps 89:8. Unfailing: Ps 89:33; 2Ti 2:13. Infinite: Ps 36:5. Everlasting: Ps 119:90; 146:6. Should be pleaded in prayer: Ps 143:1. Should be proclaimed: Ps 40:10; 89:1. MANIFESTED: In His counsels: Isa 25:1. In afflicting His saints: Ps 119:75. In fulfilling His promises: 1Ki 8:20; Ps 132:11; Mic 7:20; Heb 10:23. In keeping His covenant: De 7:9; Ps 111:5. In executing His judgments: Jer 23:20; 51:29. In forgiving sins: 1Jo 1:9. ToHis saints: Ps 89:24; 2Th 3:3. Saints encouraged to depend on: 1Pe 4:19. Should be magnified: Ps 89:5; 92:2'.

Please see the notes for Galatians C4-S1; Galatians C5-S14 about the word child. Please see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham. The functional definition is: 'The Jews claimed to be children of Abraham but Jesus said that the true children of Abraham would have his faith'. Please see the notes for Romans C8S14; God in Romans : Romans C4S12 and 1Peter 2:3-LJC about the phrase children of God. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel. Please see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the phrase My little children. The functional definition for the word child is: 'This word has considerable latitude of meaning in Scripture. thus, Joseph is called a child at the time when he was probably about sixteen years of age (Ge 37:3); and Benjamin is so called when he was above thirty years (Ge 44:20). Solomon called himself a little child when he came to the kingdom (1Ki 3:7). the descendants of a man, however remote, are called his children; as, "the children of Edom," "the children of Moab," "the children of Israel."'.

Please see the note for Titus 2:3 about the word accuser. The functional definition is: 'To charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, either by plaint, or complaint, information, indictment, or impeachment; to charge with an offense against the laws, judicially or by a public process; as, to accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and false accusers are acting like Satan'.

Please see the note for Romans 13:13 which has links to every verse in the Bible which uses the word riot along with the definitions from Webster's 1828 .

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:14-16 about the word rule. The functional definition is: 'That which is established as a principle, standard or directory; that by which anything is to be adjusted or regulated, or to which it is to be conformed; that which is settled by authority or custom for guidance and direction. thus, a statute or law is a rule of civil conduct; a canon is a rule of ecclesiastical government; the precept or command of a father is a rule of action or obedience to children; precedents in law are rules of decision to judges; maxims and customs furnish rules for regulating our social opinions and manners. the laws of God are rules for directing us in life, paramount to all others'. The word unruly means 'not obeying the rules'

We find forms of the word unruly in: 1Thessalonians 5:14; Titus 1:6; Titus 1:10; James 3:8. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. Disregarding restraint; licentious; disposed to violate laws; turbulent; ungovernable; as an unruly youth. The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil. James. 4. 2. Accustomed to break over fences and escape from inclosures; apt to break or leap fences; as an unruly ox. The owner of the unruly ox paid a sum of money, as a civil penalty for the ransom of his life'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'left I. 1Ti 1:3 Crete. Ac 2:11; 27:7,12,21 set. 1Ch 6:32; Ec 12:9; Isa 44:7; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Col 2:5 wanting, or, left undone. and. Ac 14:23; 2Ti 2:2 General references. exp: Le 14:42; Eze 44:9; 1Co 14:40.
any. 1Ti 3:2-7 the husband. Le 21:7,14; Eze 44:22; Mal 2:15; Lu 1:5; 1Ti 3:12 having. Ge 18:19; 1Sa 2:11,22,29-30; 3:12-13; 1Ti 3:4-5 not. Pr 28:7 or. Tit 1:10; 1Th 5:14 General references. exp: Le 14:42; Eze 44:9'.

Home Start of Chapter

C1-S3, (Verse 7-9) Specific requirements for bishops / elders.

First Step: He must do God's business (steward) in a way that avoids any possibility of blame coming on the ministry of God.

For a bishop must be blameless,
as the steward of God;.

Second Step: He must not have any major sin controlling his life.

not selfwilled,
not soon angry,
not given to wine,
no striker,
not given to filthy lucre;.

Third Step: He must have the positive character traits that God instills with spiritual maturity.

But a lover of hospitality,
a lover of good men,
sober,
just,
holy,
temperate;.

Fourth Step: He must be a winner in the spiritual warfare.

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..

A steward is a manager of a business belonging to someone else. A good steward conducts the business as the owner desires. Thus, an elder must conduct God's ministry as God wants in order to be a blameless...steward. In order to verify that a man meets these requirements, Paul specifies things to check in four steps. There is much that could be said about each part of this sentence, but I will stop after one small note about the last step. Most people believe that the antichrist is in Revelation because of misdirection by unfaithful preachers. The true Biblical antichrist in found in 1John and in 2John (see those Book Studies). The true Biblical antichrist is not someone doing terrible things in a government but he is a preacher in the pulpit of 'Bible believing' churches.

Anti means 'alternative' and a Biblical antichrist gives an alternative to what Christ teaches. He teaches what is 'almost correct'. But 'almost' is not holding fast. We also find that most 'Bible believing fundamental Baptist preachers' can not convince the gainsayers because they are not relying upon sound doctrine from their Bible but are relying upon the 'Baptist interpretation' of their Bible. Notice the very next sentence where Paul talks about unruly and vain talkers and deceivers and later in this chapter Paul mentions Jewish fables, and commandments of men. These are misrepresentations of the word of God. They gained authority because people accepted the interpretations of religion as the same authority as the word of God.

In order to convince the gainsayers and to avoid trusting a Biblical antichrist, we must have sound doctrine that is based completely upon the Bible and not on religious doctrine. A qualified elder who is based upon sound doctrine can give someone a Bible reference for their doctrine, and that person can not dispute the interpretation being supplied by the elder, and that person can not find any other place in the Bible that disputes the doctrine which is taught by the elder. Unfortunately, many doctrines taught by 'fundamental Bible believing Baptists', are no more sound that doctrines taught by other religions. Both have some parts of the Bible that support their doctrine, but some parts of the Bible dispute the doctrine. Any doctrine that is disputed by any part of the Bible is not sound and will not convince the gainsayers. A man who bases his doctrine upon religious training instead of sound doctrine from the Bible is not qualified to be an elder.

Paul wrote three pastoral epistles: Titus, 1Timothy and 2Timothy. Titus is the pastor's basic job description and tells him how to use Sound Doctrine to cause saved people to produce good works. In the Bible, good is defined as: 'what comes from God'. Thus, the pastor is to get God's people to do Godly works and he is to use sound doctrine to accomplish this. 1Timothy defines sound doctrine. 2Timothy warns that people within the church and outside of the church will turn against sound doctrine to fables. They will be motivated by fleshly lusts, the wisdom of this world (1Corinthians 1-3) and doctrines of devils (2Timothy 4:1). With this context of other epistles in mind, we can now look at the details of this particular epistle.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:1 for links to every place in the The functional definition for this word is: 'A pastor of pastors. One who has trained and sent out other men who are not the pastors of churches of their own'

Please see the note for about the word steward. The functional definition is: 'A man employed in great families to manage the domestic concerns, superintend the other servants, collect the rents or income, keep the accounts, etc'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will. The functional definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'. The word selfwilled means 'choosing to do what your own flesh (self) wills to do'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:5 about the word give. The functional definition of giving is: 'Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering'. Please also see the note for Philippians 4:15 about the word give. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. We find forms of the word give occurring in Titus, in: 1:7; 1:14 and 2:3:.

Please see the note for Mark 15:23 about the word wine. The functional definition for this word is: 'There are several different drinks which have this name in the Bible. Please see the reference given for more details'. Please also see the note for Luke 7:34 about the word winebibber. Please also see the note for Matthew 21:33-34 about the word winepress.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S13 about the word filth. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 7:1 for links to every place in the New Testament where we find forms of the word filthy along with the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators.

Please see the note for 1Peter 5:1-3 about the word lucre. The functional definition is: 'Gain in money or goods; profit; usually in an ill sense, or with the sense of something base or unworthy'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word hospitality. The functional definition is: 'The act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality'.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please also see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love. Please see the note for Romans C9S23 about the word beloved. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:5 for links to every place where the phrase beloved Son is applied to Jesus. We find forms of the word love occurring in Titus in: 1:8; 2:4; 3:4; and 3:15.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; Romans C11S26 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word good. The functional definition is: 'that which comes from God'. Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about Good Friday. Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness. We find forms of the word good occurring in: 1:8; 1:16; 2:3, 5; 2:7; 2:10; 2:14; 3:1; 3:8 and 3:14.

Please see the note for Romans 12:3 for links to verses in the Bible that use forms of the word sober along with the definition from Webster's 1828 . The functional definition is: 'Regular; calm; not under the influence of passion; as sober judgment; a man in his sober senses'.

Please see the notes for Galatians 2:16-LJC and Romans C7S16 about the word just. The functional definition is: 'Exactly proportioned; proper'. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for RomansC3S19 about the word justify.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S35 about the word temperate. The functional definition is: 'Moderate; not excessive'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S10 about the word hold. The functional definition is: 'Stopping; confining; restraining; keeping; retaining; adhering; maintaining, etc'. Please see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the phrase lay hold.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word fast. Please see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S54 about the word stedfast. The functional definition of the word fast is: 'something that is held in place with a fastener and no circumstances will move the thing which is fastened down'. 5:21 says, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. this is a two-step process and there is a significant doctrinal message based upon that verse, with the link found in the note for that verse. Please also see it for more details on this doctrinal concept.

Please see the note for 1:6 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of the word faithful. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'as a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy (Ac 10:45; 16:1; 2Co 6:15; Col 1:2; 1Ti 4:3,12; 5:16; 6:2; Tit 1:6; Eph 1:1; 1Co 4:17, etc.). It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted (Ps 119:86,138; Isa 25:1; 1Ti 1:15; Re 21:5; 22:6, etc.)'. Please also see the note for 1:1 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of faith.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S27 about the word teach. The functional definition is: 'To instruct; to inform; to communicate to another the knowledge of that of which he was before ignorant'. Please also see the note for John 3:2 about the word teacher. Please also see the Study called False things According to the Bible about 'false teachers'. We find forms of this word, in Titus, in: 1:9; 1:11; 2:3-4 and 2:12.

Please see the note for 1:9 about the word sound. The functional definition is: 'Entire; unbroken; not shaky, split or defective; as sound timber'. Twice in this epistle we are told about sound doctrine. (1:9 and 2:1) and twice in this epistle we are told about sound faith. (1:13 and 2:2). It is not possible to have sound faith unless it is based upon sound doctrine. Our last reference to the word sound, in our epistle, tells us the have sound speech. That is the end result of sound faith.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S6 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word doctrine. The functional definition is: 'religious teaching which claims to be from God. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. the doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles'. Please also see the note for Lord Jesus Christ Overview about doctrine of Christ. We find forms of the word doctrine occurring in 1Timothy, in: our current sentence; 1:10; 4:1; 4:6; 4:13; 4:16; 5:17; 6:1; 6:4.

We find the phrase sound doctrine in: 1Timothy 1:10; 2Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9 and Titus 2:1. Please see the notes for each of those verses, and the surrounding context, to understand this critical teaching. In addition, please see the Message called Sound Doctrine.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S3 about the word exhort. The functional definition is: 'the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable. The form of words intended to incite and encourage, to give advice and counsel'. We find forms of this word, in Titus, in: 1:9; 2:6; 2:9 and 2:15.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 14:24-25 for links to every verse in the Bible which uses any form of the word convince along with the definition from Webster's 1828 . The functional definition is: 'To prove prior position wrong'.

Please see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. The functional definition is: 'To contradict; to oppose in words; to deny or declare not to be true what another says; to controvert; to dispute; applied to persons, or to propositions, declarations or facts'. Please see the note for Philippians 1:21 about the word gain. Please see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. Please see the note for Romans C15S15 about the word speak. Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking. Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:17 and 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a bishop. Tit 1:5; Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1-13 as. Mt 24:45; Lu 12:42; 1Co 4:1-2; 1Pe 4:10 not selfwilled. Ge 49:6; 2Pe 2:10 not soon. Pr 14:17; 15:18; 16:32; Ec 7:9; Jas 1:19-20 not given to wine. Tit 2:3; Le 10:9; Pr 31:4-5; Isa 28:7; 56:12; Eze 44:21; Eph 5:18; 1Ti 3:3 no. 2Ti 2:24-25 (Gr) exp: 1Ti 3:3. not given to filthy. Isa 56:10-11; 1Ti 3:3,8; 1Pe 5:2 General references. exp: Le 14:42; Eze 44:9,21; 1Ti 5:23.
a lover of hospitality. 1Ti 3:2 a lover of good. 1Sa 18:1; 1Ki 5:1,7; Ps 16:3; Am 5:15; 1Jo 3:14; 5:1 men. or, things. sober. Tit 2:7; 2Co 6:4-8; 1Th 2:10; 1Ti 4:12; 6:11; 2Ti 2:22 exp: 1Pe 5:8. General references. exp: Le 14:42; Eze 44:9,21.
Holding. Job 2:3; 27:6; Pr 23:23; 1Th 5:21; 2Th 2:15; 2Ti 1:13; Jude 1:3; Re 2:25; 3:3,11 exp: 1Ti 1:19. fast. 1Ti 1:15; 4:9; 6:3; 2Ti 2:2 as he hath been taught. or, in teaching. sound. Tit 2:1,7-8; 1Ti 1:10; 6:3; 2Ti 4:3 to convince. Tit 1:11; Ac 18:28; 1Co 14:24; 2Ti 2:25 General references. exp: Le 14:42; 15:8; Eze 44:9,23; Hag 2:11; Tit 2:1'.

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C1-S4, (Verse 10-11)', Characteristics of those who want to be elders but whose mouths must be stopped.

Equivalent Section: Why an elder must display the character of God.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers,
specially they of the circumcision:.

Equivalent Section: What must be done to the liars.

Whose mouths must be stopped,
who subvert whole houses,
teaching things which they ought not,
for filthy lucre's sake..

Paul names three kinds of people who try to be leaders in the church but who are doing the work of Satan. Notice that he says specially they of the circumcision. These were saved preachers who were preaching 'old time religion' that went against the word of God. We still have the same type today in our religion and they fool people by saying 'I'm not part of the' circumcision. For example, 'Old Fashion Baptist preachers' will say 'I'm not like those Catholics who believe wrong religious doctrine' and then preach 'If you men loved your wife like God wants you to love her then she would have no trouble submitting to you!' Wives say 'Amen!' to that and then go homeans blame their husbands for their failure to submit. They say 'I would submit if you loved me more. It's your fault!' If you look at the Study on 1Peter and other places that the Bible teaches about submitting, you will see this claim from the wife is not Biblical. It all starts with the preacher using a religious definition for submit instead of a Biblical definition for submit. Thus, we have religious leaders preaching error in the name of 'Old fashion religion'.

Notice the equivalent part of this sentence where Paul describes what they do, why they do it and what we need to do about them. Many claim that they are not this part because they aren't doing it for filthy lucre's sake. However, if they are teaching error then they need to be corrected. If they persist and refuse correction, then they are doing it because of pride and still need to have their mouth stopped. The church leader who allows preachers (even 'Old Fashion Baptist preachers') to subvert whole houses will answer to their Lord for allowing that (Hebrews 13:17).

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C15S1 and Galatians C2-S16 about the word vain. The functional definition is: 'Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance'. I tell people to think of whited sepulchers, which look pretty on the outside but are 'full of a dead man's bones'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S15 and 1Corinthians 3:18 about the word deceived. The note in 1Corinthians breaks down the references, in the New Testament, by how the word is used. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S3 about the phrase deceiveth himself. The functional definition is: 'One who deceives; one who leads into error; a cheat; an impostor'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:8 about the words especially / specially. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. 1. Particularly; in a manner beyond what is common, or out of the ordinary course. Every signal deliverance form danger ought to be specially noticed as a divine interposition. 2. fora particular purpose. A meeting of the legislature is specially summoned. 3. Chiefly; specially'.

Please see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The functional definition is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'. Please also see the notes for Romans C4S13 about the word uncircumcision.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:10 about the word stop. The functional definition of it is: 'To cease to go forward'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:14 about the word subvert. The functional definition is: 'To overthrow from the foundation; to overturn; to ruin utterly'.

Please see the note for Mark 10:52 about the word whole. The functional definition for this word is: 'All; total; containing the total amount or number, or the entire thing; Complete; entire; not defective or imperfect'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word house. The functional definition is: 'all who live in a dwelling place, mansion or abode for any of the human species'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 5:1-3 about the word lucre. The functional definition is: 'Gain in money or goods; profit; usually in an ill sense, or with the sense of something base or unworthy'.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S25; 1Corinthians C9S16 and 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about the word sake. The functional definition is: 'to press or oppress. the primary sense is to strain, urge, press or drive forward'. Please see the note for Philippians 1:29-30 about the phrase for His sake.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'there. Ac 20:29; Ro 16:17-18; 2Co 11:12-15; Eph 4:14; 2Th 2:10-12; 1Ti 1:4,6; 6:3-5; 2Ti 3:13; 4:4; Jas 1:26; 2Pe 2:1-2; 1Jo 2:18; 4:1; Re 2:6,14 specially. Ac 15:1,24; Ga 1:6-8; 2:4; 3:1; 4:17-21; 5:1-4; Php 3:2-3 General references. exp: Le 15:8; Eze 44:23.
mouths. Tit 1:9; 3:10; Ps 63:11; 107:42; Eze 16:63; Lu 20:40; Ro 3:19; 2Co 11:10 subvert. Mt 23:14; 2Ti 3:6 filthy. Tit 1:7; Isa 56:10-11; Jer 8:10; Eze 13:19; Mic 3:5,11; Joh 10:12; 1Ti 6:5; 2Pe 2:1-3 exp: 1Ti 3:3. General references. exp: Eze 44:23'.

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C1-S5, (Verse 12) the nature of carnal saved people (gainsayers) and the pastor is told to rebuke them sharply.

One of themselves,
even a prophet of their own,
said,
The Creti and are alway liars,
evil beasts,
slow bellies..

Paul is repeating what is reported by these people about themselves because the prophet of their own is one of them. Remember that the principal used in the sentence just prior to this one is that people can hide their true nature, and even get those close to them to help with the show (lie), but the true nature will be displayed by some of them. This prophet of their own reported their true sinful human nature. We have seen elsewhere that, while we are all sinners and all have trouble with some types of sins, different people have problems with different types of sins. Paul is telling Titus that part of the ministry is to consider the nature of the people being ministered to. The phrase slow bellies refers to lazy people who lay around claiming that they are waiting for their bellies to finish digesting their food so that they don't have to get up and get busy doing the work that needs doing.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5 and Jude about the word prophet. The functional definition is: 'One that foretells future events; a predicter; a foreteller. In Scripture, a person illuminated, inspired or instructed by God to announce God's word; as Moses, Elijah, David, Isaiah, etc'. Please also see the notes for Romans C12S5; 1Corinthians C11S4 and 1Thessalonians 5:20 about the words prophecy / prophesy. Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection.

Please see the note for 1:5 about the place of Crete.

Please see the note for Matthew 28:19 about the words alway / always. The functional definition for this word is: 'Perpetually; throughout all time; as, God is always the same. 2. Continually; without variation. the word "always" (plural) is used for several never ending continuances'.

Please see the note for Galatians C1-S15 about the word liar. The functional definition is: 'A person who knowingly utters falsehood; one who declares to another as a fact what he knows to be not true, and with an intention to deceive him. the uttering of falsehood by mistake, and without an intention to deceive, does not constitute one a liar'.

We find forms of the word evil occurring 707 verses of the Bible, 259 times in 231 verses of the New Testament, and in Titus, in: 1:12; 2:8 and 3:2. Please see the note for Romans 7:19 about the word evil. Please see the note for Romans C1S16 about the phrase inventors of evil thing. Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. The functional definition of evil is: 'to be unjust or injurious, to defraud'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for Luke 24:25-26 about the word slow. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. Moving a small distance in a long time; not swift; not quick in motion; not rapid; as a slow stream; a slow motion. 2. Late; not happening in short time. these changes in the heavens though slow, produc'd like change on sea and land, sidereal blast. 3. Not ready; not prompt or quick; as slow of speech, and slow of tongue. Ex. 4. 4. Dull; in active; tardy. the Troj and are not slow to guard their shore from an expected foe. 5. Not hasty; not precipitate; acting with deliberation. the Lord is merciful, slow to anger. He that is slow the wrath is of great understanding. Prov. 14. 6. Dull; heavy in wit. 7. Behind in time; indicating a time later than the true time; as, the clock or watch is slow. 8.Not advancing, growing or improving rapidly; as the slow growth of arts and sciences.'. Understand, what dictionaries claim are different definitions of a word are actually different applications of the word. The functional definition for this word is: 'not swift'.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:18-19 for links to every place in the New Testament where we find the word belly along a definition of: 'the seat of the carnal affections'. A slow belly is a person who refused to get up and do anything because they claim they are still digesting their food. This is slang for lazy.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'of. Ac 17:28 liars. Ro 16:18; 1Ti 4:2; 2Pe 2:12,15; Jude 1:8-13'.

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C1-S6, (Verse 13)', This witness is true.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:4 about the word witness. The functional definition is: 'someone who is qualified to testify in court and is available to do so if the court requests'. Please also see the notes for 2Corinthians 13:1 and Colossians C3S13 about the phrase two or three witnesses. Please see the note for this verse in the Study on Truth.

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C1-S7, (Verse 13-14)', How to deal with problems from our culture.

First Step: Realize and fix the problem.

Wherefore rebuke them sharply,
that they may be sound in the faith;.

Second Step: Warn them to avoid future error.
1. Not giving heed to Jewish fables,
2. and commandments of men,
3. that turn from the truth..

Our sentence provides a concluding command (Wherefore) which is based upon all that Paul has written before this. Paul started out telling his authority to speak for God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. He also summarized what was promised in salvation and then gave specifications for someone to be a leader of saved people within God's church. Then Paul warned about people teaching doctrinal error followed by a warning that the people whom Paul sent Titus to would naturally tend to follow doctrinal error. The prior two sentences tells of their cultural heritage which tends to make them follow doctrinal error. Paul's command for dealing with that problem is in this sentence. All of us are raised in a culture which is part of this world and teaches us the wisdom of this world. That means that our own culture opposes the wisdom of God, as explained in the first three chapters of 1Corinthians. None of use want to admit that there is a problem with our own culture even while we see and point out the problems which come from other cultures. Religious leaders who refuse to obey the command of this sentence will fall prey to the error which Paul is warning against in this chapter and epistle.

There is a true saying of: 'There are none so blind as those who will not see and there are none so deaf as those who will not hear'. The first phrase of our First Step commands to rebuke them sharply so that we can get past the natural 'deafness' of all people when it comes to criticism of their own culture. The sharply is specific and there to make people try and think about how they believe that their culture is right. The honest will have to accept the cultural errors that are in their own background and thinking before they become qualified as leaders of God's church. The people who refuse this rebuke prove themselves to be unfit to guide God's church.

The second phrase, in our First Step tells us why the first phrase is necessary. (It starts with the word that.) the implication is that we can not be sound in the faith, and we can not give God's people Sound Doctrine unless we are willing to look at our own culture from God's perspective. We must each reject the things which we believe, that came from our own culture, when God shows us how they go against God's word.

The Second Step can only be done after we do the First Step. We might think that we would reject error from other cultures, but that is exactly what our sinful fleshly nature seeks unless we have our own fleshly nature controlled by sound doctrine from the Word of God. In our Second Step we see two sources of error which will turn from the truth. Therefore, the main thing which we need to watch for is anything from this world which compromises our belief in what God's word literally says. in Genesis 3:1 we read Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? thus, we see that the first attack on our obeying the commandment of God it to question our own knowledge of God's word. The error that Eve made, and that was to assume she was accurate on the details without first verifying her own belief. Even today, most people make the same mistake. Our only protection is to be sure that we know the sound doctrine which comes from God's word and constantly verify what we think we know any time that our belief is questioned. Our Second Step warns us that our greatest danger of being turn from the truth is fables (cultural stories taught to children and held by adults) and commandments of men.

Please see the note for Romans intro about the word wherefore. The functional definition is: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and seen wherever you look'.

Please see the note for Titus 2:15 about the word rebuke. A simple definition of the word rebuke is: 'To chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give. The functional definition is: 'Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering. GIV'ING, n. the act of confering'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver.

Please see the note for Galatians C2-S9 about the word Jew. The functional definition is: 'a contraction of Judas or Judah. A Hebrew or Israelite. This is the name for God's chosen people who followed the Mosaic Law'.

We find forms of the word fable in: 1Timothy 1:4; 1Timothy 4:7; 2Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2Peter 1:16. Smith's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions. --Encyc. Brit. the fable differs from the parable in that -- 1. the parable always relates what actually takes place, and is true to fact, which the fable is not; and 2. the parable teaches the higher heavenly and spiritual truths, but the fable only earthly moralities. Of the fable, as distinguished from the parable [PARABLE], we have but two examples in the Bible: 1. that of the trees choosing their king, addressed by Jotham to the men of Shechem, (Jg 9:8-15). 2. that of the cedar of Lebanon and the thistle, as the answer of Jehoash to the challenge of Amaziah. (2Ki 14:9). The fables of false teachers claiming to belong to the Christian Church, alluded to by writers of the New Testament, (1Ti 1:4; 4:7; Tit 1:14; 2Pe 1:16) do not appear to have had the character of fables, properly so called'. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', n. L., Gr. the radical sense is that which is spoken or told. 1. A feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept. Jothams fable of the trees is the oldest extant, and as beautiful as any made since. 2. Fiction in general; as, the story is all a fable. 3. An idle story; vicious or vulgar fictions. But refuse profane and old wives fables. 1 Timothy 4. 4. the plot, or connected series of events, in an epic or dramatic poem. The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral. 5. Falsehood; a softer term for a lie.
FABLE, v.i. 1. to feign; to write fiction. Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. 2. to tell falsehoods; as, he fables not.
FABLE, v.t. to feign; to invent; to devise and speak of, as true or real. The hell thou fablest'.

Please see the note for this verse in the Study on Truth.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'rebuke. Tit 2:15; Pr 27:5; 2Co 13:10; 1Ti 5:20; 2Ti 4:2 exp: Le 19:17. That. Tit 2:2; Le 19:17; Ps 119:80; 141:5; 2Co 7:8-12; 1Ti 4:6 General references. exp: 1Ti 5:7.
Jewish. 1Ti 1:4-7; 2Ti 4:4 commandments. Isa 29:13; Mt 15:9; Mr 7:7; Col 2:22 turn. Ga 4:9; 2Ti 4:4; Heb 12:25; 2Pe 2:22'.

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C1-S8, (Verse 15)', the difference between pure and impure people.

Equivalent Section: Identification of people who are pure.

Unto the pure all things are pure:.

Equivalent Section: Identification of people who are not pure.

First Step: Identify the people.

but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure;.

Second Step: Explain why they are this way.

but even their mind and conscience is defiled..

Notice the colon followed by but. Every place that I have found this combination the two sides are polar opposites. One side gives the view from one way and the other side gives the view from the opposite direction. in this sentence we see how things look to those who are pure and how it looks to those who are the opposite of pure. We also see that when we refuse to become pure, we are going to become defiled and unbelieving. Paul tells us that there are two steps to this process: first people refuse to acknowledge that some things are pure and (secondly) as a result, their mind and conscience is defiled so that they can not think right and their conscience isn't bothered any more by sin. (Please also see the note for Romans 9:1, which has links to every verse in the Bible which uses the word conscience.) these are the type of people who fall for religious fables and commandments of men, as we saw in the prior sentence. They also do as Paul says in the next sentence. Points from this sentence:

The colon followed by but (in this sentence) people who are pure the polar opposite of those who are defiled and unbelieving.
Those who are not pure are defiled.
Those who are not pure are unbelieving.
Those who are not pure think nothing (is) pure . That is, everything is sinful, especially if someone else enjoys it and they don't.
Those who are not pure have a mind and conscience (that) is defiled.
Those who are not pure profess that they know God; but in works they deny him.
Those who are not pure have works that are abominable.
Those who are not pure have works that are disobedient.
Those who are not pure are reprobate unto every good work.

Please see the note for Romans C14S27 about the word pure. The functional definition is: '100%'. Please see the note for Luke 2:22-24 about the words purify / purification. Symbolically, in the Bible, purification is about 'devoting 100% of a life to God'. However, as with most things that are symbolically related to God, religion changes it to being a ceremony with no, or different, symbolic meaning. People who have not given '100%' of themselves to the Lord, but are only partially committed, are not pure.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians 3:17 and James 3:6 about the word defile. The functional definition is: 'To make unclean; to render foul or dirty; in a general sense'.

Please see the notes for Romans C3S4; Romans C3S5 and Hebrews 3:7-12 about the word unbelief. The functional definition is: 'Incredulity; the withholding of belief; as, unbelief is blind. 2. Infidelity; disbelief of divine revelation'. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S15; 1Corinthians C14S25 and Galatians C3-S8 about the word believe. Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please see the notes for Romans 3:26-LJC and John 20:31-LJC about the phrase believe in Jesus / Christ. Please see the note for Romans C4S21 about the phrase belief requires us to do.

Please see the notes for Romans C11-S37; Romans C12-S2; 2Corinthians C1S9 and 1Timothy 6:17 about the word mind. Please see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the phrase mind Jesus. The functional definition is: ' Intention; purpose; design'. Our current sentence is the only place in 1Timothy where We find this word.

Please see the note for Romans C11-S37 about the word mind. It lists many different types of minds which the Bible describes. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians C1S9 which discusses the differences between the 'Eastern Mind' and the 'Western Mind'. Please also see the note for Romans C12-S2 for links to where the word mind is used in Romans. Finally, please see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the phrase mind Jesus. The functional definition is: 'the thinking process and conclusion of that process'.

Please see the note for Romans C9S1 about the word conscience. The functional definition is: 'A witness inside of ourselves that lets us know if something is right or wrong from a moral perspective'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians 3:17 and James 3:6 about the word defile. 1Corinthians explains the use of this word within the New Testament. James has links to every place in the New Testament where we find any form of this word. The functional definition is: 'To make impure'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the pure. Lu 11:39-41; Ac 10:15; Ro 14:14,20; 1Co 6:12-13; 10:23,25,31; 1Ti 4:3-4 but. Pr 21:4; Hag 2:13; Zec 7:5-6; Mt 15:18; Ro 14:20,23; 1Co 11:27-29 exp: Pr 21:8. Their. 1Co 8:7; Heb 9:14; 10:22 General references. exp: Le 7:19; 10:10; 11:34; De 14:3; Ac 24:16'.

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C1-S9, (Verse 16)', Sections of sentence below are steps.

They profess that they know God;
Sections of sentence below have equal structural level.

but in works they deny him,
being abominable,
and disobedient,
and unto every good work reprobate..

The They of this sentence are the defiled and unbelieving people of the prior sentence. Please see the note above for context. The note at the start of this study showed that Paul identified three classes of people. Throughout chapter 1 he has treated the 'lost who claim to be saved' and the 'saved but carnal' as a single group who are not pure and do not have the attributes of true Biblical Christians (saved and spiritually mature). What we see as the conclusion of chapter 1 is that our works show our true spiritual nature.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:12-14 which has links to everywhere that the Bible uses any form of the word profess along with the definition from Webster's 1828 . The functional definition of it is: 'Open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment of one's sentiments or belief; as professions of friendship or sincerity; a profession of faith or religion.'

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; Galatians C3-S9 and know in 1John about the word know. Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow. Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. We find forms of these words, within 1Thessalonians, in: 1:4; 1:5; 2:1-2; 2:5; 2:11; 3:3; 3:4; 3:5; 4:2; 4:4-5; 5:2 and 5:12. There are different levels of knowledge which can vary based upon their source, how the knowledge is obtained and more. True Biblical knowledge includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge which comes from personal experience.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Forms of the word work are found in Titus in: 1:16; 2:7; 2:14; 3:1; 3:5; 3:8 and 3:14. The basic Biblical definition of work is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:11-13 about the word deny / denial. The functional definition is: 'To contradict; to gainsay; to declare a statement or position not to be true'.

Please see the note for Mark 13:14-16 about the word abominable. The functional definition for this word is: 'Ongoing sinful wickedness; what is unfit to be presented in the service of God'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S16 about the word disobedient. The functional definition is: 'Neglecting or refusing to obey; omitting to do what is commanded, or doing what is prohibited; refractory; not observant of duty or rules prescribed by authority; as children disobedient to parents; citizens disobedient to the laws'. Please also see the notes for Romans C6S12 and Philippians 2:12 about the word disobedience. Please also see the note for Romans C1S16 about the phrase disobedient to parents. Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of disobedience. The functional definition is: 'Saved people who live a life of disobedience to God'. Please see the note for Romans 6:12 which has links to where Romans talks about obedience and disobedience. In that sentence we are told to not obey the reign of sin. We find forms of this word, in Titus, in: 1:16; 2:5; 2:9; 3:1 and 3:3.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16 and Romans C11S26 about the word good. Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness. Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about Good Friday. The functional definition, that us used within the Bible, is: 'that which comes from God'. This is the only place within Colossians where We find this word.

Please see the note for 2Timothy C3S4 about the word reprobate. That note has links to every place in the Bible where We find this word. The functional definition is: 'Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'profess. Nu 24:16; Isa 29:13; 48:1; 58:2; Eze 33:31; Ho 8:2-3; Ro 2:18-24; 2Ti 3:5-8; Jude 1:4 being. Job 15:16; Re 21:8,27 and disobedient. 1Sa 15:22,24; Eph 5:6; 1Ti 1:9 unto. Jer 6:30; Ro 1:28; 2Ti 3:8 reprobate. or, void of judgment. General references. exp: Nu 23:12; De 14:7; Ho 8:2'.

Home Start of Chapter

Titus Chapter 2

links to sentences in this chapter:

C2-S1 (Verse 1-2), C2-S2 (Verse 3-5), C2-S3 (Verse 6), C2-S4 (Verse 7-8), C2-S5 (Verse 9-10), C2-S6 (Verse 11-14), C2-S7 (Verse 15), C2-S8 (Verse 15)'.

Sentence Summary:

C2-S1 : Sound Doctrine for aged men.
C2-S2 : Sound Doctrine for aged women.
C2-S3 : Sound Doctrine for Young men.
C2-S4 : Sound Doctrine that the pastor is to live as a pattern of good works.
C2-S5 : Sound Doctrine for workers.
C2-S6 : Why we should all obey Sound Doctrine.
C2-S7 : Pastor: do the work.
C2-S8 : Don't let anyone despise God's work.

In Titus 2 we are told sound doctrine is to be manifested by the life of the saved. Different people in different circumstances manifest sound doctrine different ways. in this chapter Paul deals with how aged men, aged women, Young men, servants, all men, and the preacher are to act within the church. Paul also ends the chapter with Let no man despise thee. The circumstances of life don't determine who should be God's leader within the church and God's leader is to not allow anyone else destroy his God given authority within the church.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1-9	Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life.
10-15	Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians.

C2-S1, (Verse 1-2) the sound doctrine for male leaders (aged men).

Equivalent Section: the job of male leaders.

But speak thou the things which become Sound Doctrine :.

Equivalent Section: the attitude of male leaders.

That the aged men be sober,
grave,
temperate,
sound in faith,
in charity,
in patience..

This sentence starts with But, which connects it to the prior sentence while going in a different direction. The prior sentence was the closing (and summary) sentence of chapter 1. Therefore, Paul is changing direction from where he was going and chapter 2 will be related to the subject of chapter 1 while going in a different direction. Specifically, in chapter 1 Paul said that there were three classes of people that he would deal with in this epistle. They were: the lost who claimed to be saved; the saved but spiritually immature and the saved and spiritually mature. Then he spent the rest of the chapter telling Titus to end doctrinal error by stopping the mouths of those who taught doctrinal error and rebuke sharply the lazy people who believed whatever was preached by a 'good Godly preacher' without verifying what they preached with the word of God and the Spirit of God. Now that Paul has identified doctrine that is not sound, he is going to give sound doctrine. Where the preacher was to stop error with 'harsh' means, he is to gently encourage God's people to obey sound doctrine. Thus, Paul changes direction on the type of people he is talking about, on the tone and approach that the preacher is to take and on what is to be preached to these different type of people.

The first sub-group of 'saved and spiritual' people that Paul deals with are the leaders of the church (aged men). As noted elsewhere, each of these words should be studied and dealt with in detail and shown how they relate to the leaders of the church. I will only make two minor notes.

The aged men are also to be sound in faith. As explained many places on this site, including the note for 1Peter 1:11, faith is an action verb whereby we obey God and believe that He will keep His promise in His way and in His time. We also have to believe that His way and in His time is best for us. Further, our action is required to give God permission to work in our life so that the devil can't accuse God of taking away our free will like sin does. Finally, our action adds nothing to what God does, it is strictly to prove that, of our own free will, we gave God permission to take over our life and do what only He can do.

Moving on, we see that Paul didn't just say that these church leaders (aged men) were to have faith but that they were to be sound in faith. As already noted, Paul says a lot about what is sound in this epistle and these men are to be sure that their acts of faith also are within the limits of what is sound In the prior chapter Paul identified sources of 'faith' that are not sound and are to be stopped. These leaders are to help in this effort by making sure that their faith is also sound and by teaching others to make sure that their faith is sound. When we put our faith into what is not sound, God does not honor our act of faith. Then the devil tells people that God is not reliable and the person ends up being punished (instead of blessed) because they hurt the glory of God instead of increasing the glory of God. Thus, it is critical for leaders to be sure that their act of faith is based upon sound doctrine so that they are leading people into obeying God and not leading people into doctrinal error.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak. The functional definition is: 'To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words'. We find forms of the word speak in: 2:1; 2:15 and 3:2. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking. Please see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. Please see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying.

Please see the note for 1:9 about the word doctrine. The functional definition is: 'religious teaching which claims to be from God. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. the doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles'.

We find the phrase sound doctrine in: 1Timothy 1:10; 2Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9 and Titus 2:1. Please see this Message (Sound Doctrine) and the notes for each of those verses, and the surrounding context, to understand this critical teaching.

Please see the note for Colossians 1:21-29 about the word age. The functional definition is: 'The whole duration of a being'. There is a lot of doctrinal error taught about ages. Please be sure to stick to what is actually said within the context of where you find forms of this word. The functional definition, for the word aged, is: 'someone who has lived most of their allocated time of a being'.

With the exception of the sentence here and in 1Timothy, and the use of the word engraved, all Biblical usages of the word grave is talking about a burial place. Thus, we can see that a grave is: 'a place to hold dead things'. The dead do not change on their own not do they respond to promptings from this world. Thus, we can see the link to the word engraved, which is: 'a marking which does not change'. Likewise, we can see that our sentence uses the word grave for 'a character trait that does not change'. This word is used for the concept of: 'super reliable'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S35 about the word temperate. The functional definition is: 'Moderate; not excessive'.

Our sentence says sound in faith. Putting the two (sound and faith) definitions (which we have already seen) together we get: 'an action that is based upon what the Bible actually says with the understanding that God does not change and that His judgment of our attitudes and actions will not change and that our eternal reward or punishment depend upon our own attitudes and actions as compared to what the word of God literally says'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:1 for links to every sentence in the word of God which use any form of the word charityThe functional definition of charity is: 'Showing God's love to others regardless of who they are. Charity differs from love in that love is shown to people we know'. Please also see the note for Romans 14:15 about the word charitably.

The note for Romans 5:3-5 provides links to every verse in the Bible which uses the word patience along with a small note on each verse. The functional definition is: 'The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Tit 2:11-14; 1:9; 3:8; 1Ti 1:10; 6:3; 2Ti 1:13
the. Le 19:32; Job 12:12; Ps 92:14; Pr 16:31; Isa 65:20 sober. or, vigilant. 1Co 15:34; 1Th 5:6,8; 1Ti 3:2,11; 1Pe 1:13; 4:7; 5:8 (Gr) exp: Tit 2:4. grave. Tit 2:7; 1Ti 3:4,8,11; Php 4:8 (Gr) temperate. Tit 1:8; Ac 24:25; 1Co 9:25; Ga 5:23; 2Pe 1:6; Mr 5:15; Lu 8:35; Ro 12:3; 2Co 5:13; 1Pe 4:7 (Gr) sound. Tit 1:13 in patience. 1Ti 1:5'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S2, (Verse 3-5) , the sound doctrine for female leaders (aged women).

First Step: Get their own life right.

The aged women likewise,
that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,
not false accusers,
not given to much wine,
teachers of good things;.

Second Step: Teach younger women to live right.

That they may teach the young women to be sober,
to love their husbands,
to love their children,
To be discreet,
chaste,
keepers at home,
good,
obedient to their own husbands,
that the word of God be not blasphemed..

This sentence starts with likewise. That means 'in the same way as told to the men leaders'. (Please see the note above.) the specific actions are different between men and women but the attitude and heart condition is to be the same. We are to do what God tells us to do and have faith that God will bless us for anything that we do in faith but which men do not reward us for doing. We are also to have faith that God sees and greatly blesses when we act in the Spirit of Christ in respond to being treated wrongly. Once more I will not go into all of the details of this sentence but will ask the reader to notice that this sentence ends with that the word of God be not blasphemed. Women who refuse to obey the commandments of this sentence will cause this result and will face judgment by God for such actions.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S2 about the word woman. Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. this tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. this is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ. In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10.'. Please see the note for Romans C9S19 about the phrase What is man.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the word likeness. The functional definition is: 'Resemblance; form; external appearance.. An image, picture or statue, resembling a person or thing'.

We find forms of the word behaviour only in: 1Samuel 21:13; 1Timothy 3:2 and Titus 2:3. This word is also in the notes for Psalms 34:1, which some Bible have but which others do not have since the notes are an addition to the word of God. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word, with a spelling of behaviour, as: 'Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; conduct; manners; carriage of one's self, with respect to propriety, or morals; deportment. It expresses external appearance or action; sometimes in a particular character; more generally in the common duties of life; as, our future destiny depends on our behaviour in this life. It may express correct or good manners, but I doubt whether it ever expresses the idea of elegance of manners, without another word to qualify it'. The functional definition for this word is: 'Manner of behaving'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word behaviour as: 'Behaviour, exhortations concerning: 1Co 13:5; Php 1:10; 2Th 3:7; 1Ti 3:2; Tit 2:3. See Walk; of Believers'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word become. The functional definition is: 'In general, to suit or be suitable; to be congruous; to befit; to accord with, in character or circumstances; to be worthy of, decent or proper'. Please note that our word is becometh, which means that they must 'keep on keeping on acting decent and proper'.

Please see the Study called False things according to the Bible about the word false. A false accuser is a person who claims that another did wrong when that person did not do as accused. The main reason for such behaviour is to make self look good in comparison but For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2Corinthians 10:12). Please also see the note for Luke 3:14 about the word false. The functional definition for this word is: 'Not true; not conformable to fact; expressing what is contrary to that which exists, is done, said or thought'.

We find forms of the word accuser occurring 51 times in 46 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthew 12:10; Matthew 27:12; Matthew 27:37; Mark 3:2; Mark 15:3; Mark 15:26; Luke 3:14; Luke 6:7; Luke 11:54; Luke 16:1; Luke 19:8; Luke 23:2; Luke 23:10; Luke 23:14; John 5:45; John 8:6; John 8:10; John 18:29; Acts 22:30; Acts 23:28-30; Acts 23:35; Acts 24:2; Acts 24:8; Acts 24:13; Acts 25:5; Acts 25:11; Acts 25:16; Acts 25:18; Acts 26:2; Acts 26:7; Acts 28:19; Romans 2:15; 1Timothy 5:19; 2Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:6; Titus 2:3; 1Peter 3:16; 2Peter 2:11; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:10. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, either by plaint, or complaint, information, indictment, or impeachment; to charge with an offense against the laws, judicially or by a public process; as, to accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor. 2. to charge with a fault; to blame. Their thoughts, in the meanwhile, accusing or excusing one another. Rom. 2. It is followed by of before the subject of accusation; the use of for after this verb is illegitimate'. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Satan is styled the "accuser of the brethren" (Re 12:10. Comp. Job 1:6; Zec 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among men by bringing false charges against Christians, with the view of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they are identified. He was regarded by the Jews as the accuser of men before God, laying to their charge the violations of the law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment. the same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in Joh 8:10 (but omitted in the Revised Version); Ac 23:30,35; 24:8; 25:16,18, in all of which places it is used of one who brings a charge against another'.

Nave's Topical Bible provides links for the phrase false accusation as: 'General scriptures concerning: Ex 23:1,7; Le 19:16; Ps 41:5-9; Mt 5:11; Lu 3:14; 2Ti 3:3; 1Pe 4:14. Against Joseph by Potiphar's wife: Ge 39:7-20. Against Joseph's brethren by Joseph: Ge 42:9-14. Against Moses by Korah: Nu 16:3,13. Against the prophet Ahimelech by Saul: 1Sa 22:11-16. Against Abner by Joab: 2Sa 3:24-27. Against David by the princes of Ammon: 2Sa 10:3. Against Elijah by Ahab: 1Ki 18:17-18. Against Naboth by Jezebel: 1Ki 21:10,13. Against Jews, returned under Ezra: Ezr 4:6-16; Ne 6:6-8. Against Jeremiah: Jer 26:8,11; 37:13-14; 43:2-3. Against Amos: Am 7:10-11. Against Mary: Mt 1:19. Against Jesus: Mt 9:34; 10:25; 12:2-14; 26:59-61; Mr 3:22; 14:53-65; Lu 23:2; Joh 18:30. Against Stephen: Ac 6:11,13. Against Paul: Ac 17:7; 21:28; 24:5-6,13; 25:2,7; Ro 3:8. Against Paul and Silas: Ac 16:20-21. Satan falsely accuses Job : Job 1:9-10; 2:4-5'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides links for the phrase false accusation as: 'General references to: 1Sa 1:14; Ne 6:7; Job 2:5; 22:6; Jer 37:13; Mt 5:11; 27:12; Lu 6:7; 1Pe 3:16. See False; Witnesses. See Slander'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give. The functional definition is: 'Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering.GIV'ING, n. the act of confering'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John; 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. Please see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for Matthew 19:18-19 about the phrase love thy neighbour. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love. Please see the note for Romans C9S23 about the word beloved. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:5 for links to every place where the phrase beloved Son is applied to Jesus. It is important to note that many preachers erroneously define charity as love. The first reason that this is in error is that charity and love are both Bible words and, while two different Bible words can have the same application under certain circumstances, they can not have three same definition. Secondly, while charity and love have the same actions, love is extended to people we know while charity is extended to strangers in addition to people that we know. We find forms of the word love occurring 649 times in 549 verses of the Bible, 328 times in 263 verses of the New Testament, and in Colossians, in: our current sentence; 2:2 and 3:19.

We find forms of the word discreet only four times in the Bible. Those are: Genesis 41:33; Genesis 41:39; Mark 12:34 and Tit 2:5. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Prudent; wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash. It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. Let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise. Genesis 41'. In Genesis, this word was applied to Joseph.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:2 about the word chaste. The functional definition of it is: 'Pure; clean; not corrupt. 2Co 11:2'.

Please see the note for Matthew 28:3-4 about the word keeper. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'of anything. 1. One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the custody of prisoners. 2. One who has the care of a park or other inclosure, or the custody of beasts; as the keeper of a park, a pound, or of sheep. 3. One who has the care, custody or superintendence of anything. In Great Britain, the keeper of the great seal, is a lord by his office, and one of the privy council. All royal grants, commissions and charters pass through his hands. He is constituted lord-keeper by the delivery of the great seal. the keeper of the privy seal is also a lord by his office, and a member of the privy council.'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 5:22 about the word keep. Please see the note for 1John about the phrase keep his commandments. The functional definition is: 'To hold; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose or part with; as, to keep a house or a farm; to keep anything in the memory, mind or heart. 2. to have in custody for security or preservation'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:19 about the word home. The functional definition for this word is: 'the house or place in which one resides'.

Please see the note for 1:16 about the word obedient / disobedient. The functional definition is: 'Submissive to authority; yielding compliance with commands, orders or injunctions; performing what is required, or abstaining from what is forbid'. Please notice that this command carries the qualifier: to their own husbands, which means it is not applied to all males.

Please see the note for 1:1 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of word. The functional definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, the word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. The phrase every word is explained in Romans C13S12, stated in Deuteronomy 8:3; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 18:16; Luke 4:4.

Please see the notes for Mark 2:6-7 about the word blasphemy. That note explains why blasphemy. has a different meaning than the popular religious definition. The functional definition is: 'When anyone makest (themselves to be) God'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'as. Ro 16:2; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:9-10; 3:11; 5:5-10; 1Pe 3:3-5 holiness. or holy women. false accusers. or, makebates. 1Ti 3:8,11 not given. Tit 1:7 teachers. Tit 2:4; Heb 5:12; Re 2:20 General references. exp: 1Ti 5:23.
the. 1Ti 5:2,11,14 sober. or, wise. Tit 2:2 exp: 1Pe 5:8. Tolove their husbands. 1Ti 5:14 General references. exp: Pr 31:27.
discreet. Tit 2:2 keepers. Ge 16:8-9; 18:9; Pr 7:11; 31:10-31; 1Ti 5:13 good. Ac 9:36,39; 1Ti 5:10 obedient. Ge 3:16; 1Co 11:3; 14:34; Eph 5:22-24,33; Col 3:18; 1Ti 2:11-12; 1Pe 3:1-5 that. 2Sa 12:14; Ps 74:10; Ro 2:24; 1Ti 5:14; 6:1'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S3, (Verse 6), the sound doctrine for young men.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

This sentence also says likewise. That means 'in the same Spirit that the leaders are told to have'. (Please see the two notes above.) With these young men Paul keeps the instructions to the basic, but most required, commandment. That is: Paul tells them to guard how they think. As Reformers Unanimous says: 'I thunk it before I done it'. The spiritual warfare starts in the mind and future leaders need to start by learning to control their mind.

Please see the note for Luke 15:11-12 about the word young. The functional definition for this word is: 'Not having been long born; being in the first part of life; not old'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Young. Job 29:8; Ps 148:12; Ec 11:9; 12:1; Joe 2:28; 1Pe 5:5; 1Jo 2:13 sober-minded. or, discreet. Tit 2:2'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S4, (Verse 7-8) , the sound doctrine for the pastor.

Equivalent Section: the pastor is to have a good testimony.

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:.

Equivalent Section: How.

First Step: How to do it.

in doctrine shewing uncorruptness,
gravity,
sincerity,
Sound speech,
that cannot be condemned;.

Second Step: Why to do it.

that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed,
having no evil thing to say of you..

With the other people mentioned in this chapter, Paul says what they are to do and how they are to think. However, for a pastor Paul starts out with shewing. The pastor is to lead by example and that means that he has to make sure that his example is seen. A pattern has to be seen in order to be followed. (Please see 1Corinthians 11:1.) Others can do their work in the background but the pastor must be seen doing the things that Paul mentions in this sentence so that others know how to do the same. For example, the first action that Paul deals with is in doctrine shewing uncorruptness. The word uncorruptness means no (or removed) ongoing corruption. Yes (as a human being), the pastor will make some errors (corrupt), but when he does he is to stop and remove that corruptness instead of continuing it. The pastor is to be a pattern for admitting his error and correcting it according to the sound doctrine of the word of God. Notice that Paul also says that this uncorruptness is to be in doctrine. True Biblical doctrine is based upon what the word of God literally says in at least two places and it applies to all men. However, as the leader of the church, a pastor has to make decisions about things where the Bible does not give literal instructions. In these cases, the pastor must use his spiritual gift of wisdom. In the Bible we see God change His mind about how He will act in a particular instance (Abraham offering Isaac). These are 'one time' instances in the Bible and are not the basis of sound doctrine. When a pastor is acting upon his Godly wisdom and God leads him in a new direction, he does not have to shew the Biblical basis for his change like he has to do when he is shown that his doctrine is wrong. This is part of rightly dividing the Word of truth (1Timothy 2:15).

Paul also says that the pastor is to be an example in gravity, sincerity and sound speech. Again, the sound speech is speech which is based upon the word of God. Notice that Paul completes this section with that cannot be condemned. None of the four things mentioned here can be condemned if they are based upon proper interpretation of the Bible. All can be condemned when they are based upon anything else.

Moving on, we see this section of the sentence ends with a semicolon, which means it is the first step of a two-step plan. The first step must be taken before the second step. That is, the pastor will be able to make he that is of the contrary part to be ashamed only after the pastor does the things of the first step. Also, that contrary person will have no evil thing to say of you only after the pastor does the things of the first step. These two steps combined are the equivalent of the first part of this sentence and tell the pastor how he is to shew thyself a pattern of good works.

The word shew is just a different spelling of the word show. Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. The functional definition is: 'To exhibit or present to the view of others'.

We find forms of the word pattern only in: Exodus 25:9; Exodus 25:40; Numbers 8:4; Joshua 22:28; 2Kings 16:10; 1Chronicles 28:11-12; 1Chronicles 28:18-19; Ezekiel 43:10; 1Timothy 1:16; Titus 2:7; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:23. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'An original or model proposed for imitation; the archetype; an exemplar; that which is to be copies or imitated, either in things or in actions; as the pattern of a machine; a pattern of patience. Christ was the most perfect pattern of rectitude, patience and submission ever exhibited on earth. 2. A specimen; a sample; a part showing the figure or quality of the whole; as a pattern of silk cloth. 3. An instance; an example. 4. anything cut of formed into the shape of something to be made after it. Topattern after, to imitate; to follow'.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The functional definition is: 'to move, or to labor'.

We find forms of the word uncorruptible in: Romans 1:23; Titus 2:7. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. that cannot be corrupted. But incorruptible is the word now used.'. We find forms of the word incorruptible in: 1Corinthians 9:25; 1Corinthians 15:42; 1Corinthians 15:50; 1Corinthians 15:52; 1Corinthians 15:53; 1Corinthians 15:54; 1Peter 1:4; 1Peter 1:23. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. that cannot corrupt or decay; not admitting of corruption. thus gold, glass, mercury, etc., are incorruptible. Spirits are supposed to be incorruptible. Our bodies shall be changed into incorruptible and immortal substances. 2. that cannot be bribed; inflexibly just and upright'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C9S36 about the word corrupt. The functional definition is: 'To change from a sound to a putrid or putrescent state; to separate the component parts of a body, as by a natural process, which accompanied by a fetid smell'. It should be obvious that the word uncorruptness means the opposite and doing all that is possible to avoid any part of the word corrupt.

Please see the note for 1Timothy C3-S5 about the word grave. The word gravity is another form of the same word and it means 'not responding to things of this world'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C5S7 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word sincerity. The functional definition is: 'Honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation or hypocrisy'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S15 about the word speak. Please see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:17 and 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. The functional definition is: 'To speak; to utter in words; as, he said nothing; he said manythings; he says not a word'. Please see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking.

Please see the note for Romans C8S1 about the word condemn. The functional definition is: ' the judicial act of declaring one guilty, and dooming him to punishment'. Please see the note for Romans C8S1 about the word condemnation. Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase condemnation of fools.

Please see the note for Galatians 5:17 about the word contrary. The functional definition for this word is: 'Opposite; adverse; moving against or in an opposite direction; as contrary winds.'. Please also see the note for Gallatians 2:6-9 about the word contrariwise. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:3 about the word contradiction. The functional definition for this word is: 'Oppositely; on the other hand'.

Please see the notes for Romans C5S2 about the word ashamed. The functional definition for this word is: 'effected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt or a conviction of some criminal action or indecorous conduct, or by the exposure of some gross errors or misconduct, which the person is conscious must be wrong, and which tends to impair his honor or reputation'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 6:7 for links to every sentence in this epistle which use any form of the word shame. The functional definition is: 'A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation; or by of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. Shame is particularly excited by the disclosure of actions which, in the view of men, are mean and degrading. Hence it is often or always manifested by a downcast look or by blushes, called confusion of face'. Please see the note for Romans C5S2 which has a discussion of the Biblical use of shame along with links to several other verses. Basically, if God has to make us ashamed then it will probably be at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10 and 2Corinthians 5:10-11) and that shame will last for eternity.

Please see the note for 1:12 about the word evil. The functional definition is: 'to be unjust or injurious, to defraud'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 4:15 about the word evildoer. Please also note the conincidence between the Devil and the word evil since the Devil is the source of much evil. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'all. Ac 20:33-35; 2Th 3:9; 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 5:3 uncorruptness. 2Co 2:17; 4:2 gravity. Tit 2:2 sincerity. 2Co 1:12; 8:8; Eph 6:24; Php 1:10
Sound. Mr 12:17,28,32,34; 1Ti 6:3 exp: Tit 1:9. That he. Ne 5:9; 1Ti 5:14; 1Pe 2:12,15; 3:16 may. Isa 66:5; Lu 13:17; 2Th 3:14 having. Php 2:14-16'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S5, (Verse 9-10) , the sound doctrine for servants.

First Step: obey.

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters,
and to please them well in all things;.

Second Step: keep your mouth shut.

not answering again;

Third Step: Be reliable.

Not purloining,
but shewing all good fidelity;.

Fourth Step: Produce spiritual results.

that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things..

Paul gives four Steps that servants are to take if they want to have sound doctrine. Notice that the first step has an and in it. Both sides of this and (obey and Please them) are equally important. Both must be done at the same time before advancing to the second step. Most of us know how to obey without pleasing our own masters. Further, many are discussed by 'politically correct' workers who specialize in pleasing their own masters without obeying them. We are to do both at the same time and with equal emphasis on each command. Further, we are to do this for our own masters, not for someone else.

After servants learn to obey...and..Please , the next step is to 'not talk back' with the built in assumed command to 'not be two-faced'.

After that, Paul says to not steal and to make wise use of funds to minimize costs to their own masters.

in the last step Paul says why servants are to act this way. God doesn't want us to just blindly follow a lot of religious rules but wants us to understand why we are to act this way. With understanding, we sometimes have to break the apparent rule in order to achieve the desired result and that is what God wants us to concentrate on. Paul talks about being free and being a servant in 1Corinthians 7 and in 1Corinthians 9. What Paul teaches there and here is only possible when we understand that being a servant is only one of several roles that God gives to people and that, in God's plan, each role has equal opportunity to do our main function, which is to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Please see the note for 1:1 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of serve. Please see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. The functional definition is: 'properly one that waits, that is, stops, holds, attends, or one that is bound'. Today post people in this position are called 'employees'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:18 about the word master. The functional definition is: 'A man who rules, governs or directs either men or business. A man who owns slaves is their master; he who has servants is their master; he who has apprentices is their master, as he has the government and direction of them. the man who superintends and directs any business, is master'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 and Galatians 1:10-LJC about the word please. The functional definition is: 'To excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to gratify; as, to please the taste; to please the mind'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C10S2 about the phrase well pleased.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:12 about the word answer. The functional definition is: ' to speak in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration or argument of another person'.

This is the only place in the Bible where we find any form of the word purloin. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it as: 'Stealing; committing literary theft or plagiarism'. Basically, claiming to have sole responsibility for anything done for the boss. If nothing else, the boss got the OK from the people who make decisions and got the cooperation of others to accept the final work.

The word shewing is just a different spelling of the word showing. Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. The functional definition is: 'To exhibit or present to the view of others'.

This is the only place in the Bible where we find any form of the word fidelity. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it as: 'Faithfulness; careful and exact observance of duty, or performance of obligations. We expect fidelity in a public minister, in an agent or trustee, in a domestic servant, in a friend. The best security for the fidelity of men, is to make interest coincide with duty. 2. Firm adherence to a person or party with which one is united, or to which one is bound; loyalty; as the fidelity of subjects to their king or government; the fidelity of a tenant or liege to his lord. 3. Observance of the marriage covenant; as the fidelity of a husband or wife. 4. Honesty; veracity; adherence to truth; as the fidelity of a witness'. Basically, this is being faithful to your boss and not giving away his secrets nor helping his enemies.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word fidelity as: 'In Business: Of Joseph: Ge 39:6. The Workmen Under Jehoiada: 2Ki 12:15. The Workmen Under Hilkiah: 2Ch 34:11-12. Nehemiah's Treasurers: Ne 13:13. Of Daniel: Da 6:4. Required of Stewards: 1Co 4:2. Of Moses: Heb 3:5. ToGod: (examples of): Nu 12:7; 14:24; 1Ki 19:18; Ne 7:2; 1Co 4:17; Col 1:7; 4:9; Re 17:14. Rewards of: Mt 24:45; Lu 19:17; Re 2:10; 20:4. Of Women: Last at the Cross: Mr 15:47. First at the tomb: Joh 20:1. First to proclaim the resurrection: Mt 28:8. First preacher to the Jews: Lu 2:37-38. Attended the first prayer-meeting: Ac 1:14. First to greet Christian Missionaries (Paul and Silas) in Europe: Ac 16:13. First European convert: Ac 16:14. In Keeping the Covenant with God: Ex 19:5; De 33:9; Ps 103:17-18; 132:12; Isa 56:4; Da 9:4'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 2:9 about the word adorn. The functional definition for this word is: 'to make beautiful; to add to beauty by dress; to deck with external ornaments'.

Please see the note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study about the word Saviour. There is a considerable amount about this verse in that note. In addition, please see the Word Study on Saviour, which explains the single definition and multiple applications of this word. Also, please see the LJV-verses which has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word. In general, the word Saviour is like 'parent'. We have multiple 'parents' and each has a different function in the creation and raising of a child. Likewise, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, God the Son as Lord, God the Son as Jesus and God the Son as Christ each have different functions in the salvation (creation) and sanctification (raising) of a child of God. Please note that in this epistle we read God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'servants. Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:22-25; 1Ti 6:1-2; 1Pe 2:18-25 to Please. Eph 5:24 answering again. or, gainsaying. General references. exp: Ge 30:29; 31:6; Ro 15:2; 1Co 12:22.
purloining. 2Ki 5:20-24; Lu 16:6-8; Joh 12:6; Ac 5:2-3 shewing. Ge 31:37-38; 39:8-9; 1Sa 22:14; 26:23; Ps 101:6; Mt 24:45; Lu 16:10; 1Co 4:2 adorn. Mt 5:16; Eph 4:1; Php 1:27; 2:15-16; 4:8; 1Pe 2:12; 3:16 the doctrine. 1Ti 5:17; 6:1,3; 2Jo 1:9 God. Tit 1:3; 1Ti 1:1; Isa 12:2 exp: Ps 24:5; 106:21; Lu 1:47; Tit 3:4; Jude 1:25. General references. exp: Ge 30:29; 31:6; Isa 43:11; Ro 15:2; 1Co 12:22. '.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S6, (Verse 11-14) , Why (For) all saved should obey sound doctrine.

Sections of sentence below have equal structural level.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly,
righteously,
and Godly,
in this present world;.

Sections of sentence below have equal structural level.

Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;.

Sections of sentence below have equal structural level.

Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works..

Points from this sentence:

The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. However, most men need someone to explain the grace of God that bringeth salvation. Since there are liars preaching a false gospel, the truth has to be shown to be different from a lie and that difference is shown by how we live.
The grace of God that bringeth salvation is more than a one-time religious act. The rest of this sentence can not occur outside of an ongoing personal relationship with our Lord. As we have seen all throughout the Bible, and as we see in this sentence, true Biblical salvation results in a God honoring changed life and anything less is not true Biblical salvation.
We show sound doctrine when we are denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. Please see the please see the notes for Romans 4:5 and 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word ungodly .
We show sound doctrine when we live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world .
We show sound doctrine when our life proves that we are Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Those who are truly doing this will not do anything that they don't want all of heaven to catch them doing.
We show sound doctrine when our life shows that He has redeemed us from all iniquity. That means we 'stop our sinning'.
We show sound doctrine when our life shows that He has purify unto himself a peculiar people. We are peculiar when we avoid things that aren't necessarily bad but which might make us unpure.
We show sound doctrine when our life shows that He has made us zealous of good (Godly) works
We show sound doctrine when we do not despise Godly authority.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S5; Romans C4S17; Galatians 1:1 and Ephesians C1S2 about the word grace. The word grace is usually presented as 'God's riches at Christ Expense'. However, that obviously does not fit in James 1:11. So while that is the main application within the Bible, the true definition is: 'that which makes the source look good'. We are given God's grace for the expressed purpose of making God look good. please see the notes for Galatians C5S4 and Galatians C6S18 about the phrase grace through Christ.

Please notice the th in the word the bringeth. That means that the grace of God 'keeps on keeping on bringing' 'God's life' into us. Once more we see that the Bible teaches that true Biblical salvation is not a one-time event but is a lifestyle ongoing personal relationship with God.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 for links to every place in that epistle where we find the word salvation along with definitions from three different dictionaries and links from other commentators. This is the only places in Titus where the word salvation is used. Although, the word saved is used in 3:5. Please see the note for Main Menu item for Salvation about the word save. The functional definition is: 'to exclude. When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you. When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life' .

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word appear. The functional definition is: 'To come or be in sight; to be in view; to be visible'. We find forms of this word, in Titus, in: 2:11, 13 and 3:4.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:11-13 about the word deny / denial. The functional definition is: 'To contradict; to gainsay; to declare a statement or position not to be true'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S17 and Galatians C5-S18; Jude 1:16 about the word lust. The functional definition is: 'Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; as the lust of gain'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 about the word life. That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. Please also see the notes for Life in 1John about the word life. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. Please see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC and Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S10 and Galatians C2-S16 about the word righteous / righteousness. Please see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the righteousness of the Law. Please see the notes for Romans C3S7 and Romans C1S16 about the word unrighteousness. Please see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the fruit of righteousness. Please see the note for Romans C4S7 about the phrase imputeth righteousness. Please see the note for Romans C2S5 about obeying unrighteousness. The functional definition is: 'Doing the right thing the right way and at the right time with all defined by God'.

Please see earlier within the word definitions for the word Godly.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:13-14 about the word present. The functional definition is: 'Being in a certain place; opposed to absent. 2. Being before the face or near; being in company'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:4 about the word look. The functional definition is: ' We observe its primary sense is nearly the same as that of seek. Hence, to look for is to seek. Todirect the eye towards an object, with the intention of seeing it'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S6 about the phrase LORD looketh on the heart.

Please see the notes for Galatians C3-S10 about the word bless. The functional definition is: 'receiving, or wishing another to receive, the spiritual good from God which produces spiritual joy even while it might make us less happy in the flesh'.

Please see the note for 1:2 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of hope. The functional definition is: 'an action word just like faith is. However, where true Biblical faith is based upon a promise which we can point to within the Bible, true Biblical hope is based upon the character of our Lord Jesus Christ'.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S14; 1Corinthians C15S36; Ephesians C1S2; 2Corinthians 10:14-LJC; Colossians C1S6 and 1Thessalonians 2:5-6 about the word glory. The functional definition is: 'Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honour, dignity of God; of the mind or heart; Splendour, brightness, majesty of Jehovah , the infinite perfections of God'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory. Think about the 'Mount of transfiguration'. The note in 1Thessalonians has the full definition from Easton's Bible Dictionary. The functional definition is: 'Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honour, dignity of God; of the mind or heart; Splendour, brightness, majesty of Jehovah , the infinite perfections of God'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word appear. The functional definition is: 'To come or be in sight; to be in view; to be visible'.

Please see the note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study about the word Saviour. There is a considerable amount about this verse in that note. In addition, please see the Word Study on Saviour, which explains the single definition and multiple applications of this word. Also, please see the LJV-verses which has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word. In general, the word Saviour is like 'parent'. We have multiple 'parents' and each has a different function in the creation and raising of a child. Likewise, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, God the Son as Lord, God the Son as Jesus and God the Son as Christ each have different functions in the salvation (creation) and sanctification (raising) of a child of God. Please note that in this epistle we read God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give. The functional definition is: 'Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering.
GIV'ING, n. the act of confering'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver.

Please see the note for Romans C8S21 for links to every place in the Bible where the word redemption is used along with a short note about the use of the word within each verse. Please also see the note for Ephesians 5:15-16 which discusses the doctrine and what the Bible says is included in our redemption. Please see the note for Colossians 4:5 for links to every verse within the New Testament which uses forms of the word redeem. There are a couple of dictionary definitions and links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'Ransoming; procuring deliverance from captivity, capture, bondage, sin, distress or liability to suffer, by the payment of an equivalent'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word iniquity. It has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word along with the full definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'ongoing lifestyle sins'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:9 about the word peculiar. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'as used in the phrase "peculiar people" in 1Pe 2:9, is derived from the Lat. peculium, and denotes, as rendered in the Revised Version ("a people for God's own possession"), a special possession or property. the church is the "property" of God, his "purchased possession" (Eph 1:14; R.V., "God's own possession")'.

Please see the note for Romans C10S2 for links to every place in the Bible where the word zeal is used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 . Please see the note for Galatians C1-S11 for links to every place in the Bible where the word zealous is used along with links from other commentators.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The functional definition is: 'to move, or to labor'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the grace. Tit 3:4-5; Ps 84:11; Zec 4:7; 12:10; Joh 1:14,16-17; Ac 11:23; 13:43; 20:24; Ro 4:4-5; 5:2,15,20-21; 11:5-6; 2Co 6:1; Ga 2:21; Eph 1:6-7; 2:5,8; 2Th 2:16; 1Ti 1:14; Heb 2:9; 12:15; 1Pe 1:10-12; 5:5-12 exp: 2Th 1:12; 1Pe 1:13. bringeth, etc. or, bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared. hath. Ps 96:1-3,10; 98:1-3; 117; Isa 2:2-3; 45:22; 49:6; 52:10; 60:1-3; Mt 28:19; Mr 16:15; Lu 3:6; 24:47; Ac 13:47; Joh 1:9; Ro 10:18; 15:9-19; Eph 3:6-8; Col 1:6,23; 1Ti 2:4; 2Ti 4:17 General references. exp: Ge 6:8; Pr 8:4; 12:28; Isa 32:16; Lu 1:75; Ac 24:16; Eph 4:20; Tit 2:1.
Teaching. Mt 28:20; Joh 6:25; 1Th 4:9; Heb 8:11; 1Jo 2:27 denying. Isa 55:6-7; Eze 18:30-31; 33:14-15; Mt 3:8-10; 16:24; Lu 1:75; Ro 6:4-6,12,19; 8:13; 13:12-13; 1Co 6:9-11; 2Co 7:1; Ga 5:24; Eph 1:4; 4:22-25; Col 1:22; 3:5-9; 1Th 4:7; Jas 4:8-10; 1Pe 2:11-12; 4:2-5; 2Pe 1:4; 2:20-22; 1Jo 2:15-17; Jude 1:18 live. Ps 105:45; Eze 36:27; Mt 5:19-20; Lu 1:6,75; 3:9-13; Ac 24:16,25; Ro 6:19; 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 1:14-18; 2Pe 1:5-8; 3:11; 1Jo 2:6; Re 14:12 exp: 2Ti 3:12. soberly. Tit 2:4 exp: Ro 12:3. Godly. Ps 4:3; 2Co 1:12; 2Pe 2:9 exp: Ps 32:6. This. Joh 14:30; 17:14-15; Ro 12:2; Ga 1:4; Eph 2:2; 2Ti 4:10; 1Jo 5:19 General references. exp: Pr 8:4; 12:28; Isa 32:16; Eze 11:18; Lu 1:75; Ac 24:16; Eph 4:20; Tit 2:1.
Looking. 1Co 1:7; Php 3:20-21; 2Ti 4:8; 2Pe 3:12-14 exp: Heb 12:2; Jude 1:21. blessed. Tit 1:2; 3:7; Ac 24:15; Ro 5:5; 8:24-25; 15:13; Col 1:5,23,27; 2Th 2:16; Heb 6:18-19; 1Pe 1:3; 1Jo 3:3 the glorious. Job 19:25-27; Isa 25:9; Mt 16:27; 25:31; 26:64; Mr 8:38; 14:62; 1Ti 6:13-14; Heb 9:28; 2Co 4:4,6 (Gr) Col 3:4; 2Ti 4:1,8; 1Pe 1:7; 1Jo 3:2; Re 1:7 our. Tit 3:4,6; 2Pe 3:18; 1Jo 4:14 exp: 2Ti 1:10. General references. exp: Ex 33:18; Isa 43:11; Lu 1:75; Joh 10:30; Ac 24:16; Eph 4:20; Tit 2:1.
gave. Mt 20:28; Joh 6:51; 10:15; Ga 1:4; 2:20; 3:13; Eph 5:2,23-27; 1Ti 1:15; 2:6; Heb 9:14; 1Pe 3:18; Re 1:5; 5:9 that. Ge 48:16; Ps 130:8; Eze 36:25; Mt 1:21; Ro 11:26-27 exp: Ps 105:45; Mt 5:16; Joh 17:19; Ga 2:19. purify. Mal 3:3; Mt 3:12; Ac 15:9; Heb 9:14; Jas 4:8; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:2 unto. Ac 15:14; Ro 14:7-8; 2Co 5:14-15 exp: Isa 59:20; Lu 2:11. peculiar. Ex 15:16; 19:5-6; De 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps 135:4; 1Pe 2:9 zealous. Tit 2:7; 3:8; Nu 25:13; Ac 9:36; Eph 2:10; 1Ti 2:10; 6:18; Heb 10:24; 1Pe 2:12 General references. exp: Ex 37:6; Le 9:15; 16:30; Nu 3:50; 7:15; De 14:2; 15:15; Ps 136:24; Isa 43:21; Lu 1:75; Ro 14:7; Eph 4:20; Tit 2:1'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S7, (Verse 15) : three equally important things that Titus is to do.

These things speak,
and exhort,
and rebuke with all authority..

Many people want the preacher to do some of these commands to themselves and others to other people but the preacher is to do all three of these commands to all of the people he is responsible for and to put equal emphasis on each of them.

To speak is to tell the first time. Many in authority make the mistake of getting upset with someone who broke the rules but people can't be expected to keep rules that they don't know and understand. Parents have to pay special attention to this commandment because children have to reach a certain level of maturity before they can understand the importance of keeping commandments. When they are too immature, they can't understand the association between actions and consequences. Likewise, spiritually immature people often can't understand this relationship in spite of their physical age. Spiritual things often follow a different set of rules from the physical world and someone who understands the physical can find that understanding interfering when they try to learn the rules of the spiritual reality.

The Biblical meaning of exhort is to encourage someone to do the right thing the right way. That is: to do things well and to keep doing well doing. We are reminded of the rewards of well doing in Romans 2:5-11; Galatians 6:9; 2Thessalonians 3:13; 1Peter 2:15-16; 3:17; 4:19. Each of these places remind us of spiritual rewards that are not seen now in this current world. We find the permutations of exhort 34 times in 33 verses of the New Testament.

We find the permutations of rebuke 82 times in 80 verses of the Bible with 33 of them occurring in the New Testament. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines rebuke as: 'v.t. See Pack and Impeach. 1. to chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof. The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd, not to rebuke the rich offender fear'd. Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor. Lev. 19. 2. to check or restrain. The Lord rebuke thee, of Satan. Zech. 3. Is. 17. 3. to chasten; to punish; to afflict for correction. of Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger. Ps. 6. 4. to check; to silence. Master, rebuke thy disciples. Luke 19. 5. to check; to heal. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever. Luke 4. 6. to restrain; to calm. He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea. Matt. 8. REBU'KE, n. 1. A chiding; reproof for faults; reprehension. Why bear you these rebukes and answer not? 2. In Scripture, chastisement; punishment; affliction for the purpose of restraint and correction. Ezek. 5. Hos. 5. 3. In low language, any kind of check. Tosuffer rebuke, to endure the reproach and persecution of men. Jer. 15. Tobe without rebuke, to live without giving cause of reproof or censure; to be blameless.'

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word rebuke as: 'Of Rulers: Rebuked by the Prophets and Messengers of God: 1Sa 15:23; 2Sa 12:7; 1Ki 14:7; 16:1; 18:18; 21:20; 2Ki 3:13; 2Ch 12:5; 16:9; 26:18; Da 5:23; Mr 6:18; Ac 23:3. Judges of Israel.: rebuked of Sin: (examples of): Ge 3:17. A Man of God Rebukes Eli: 1Sa 2:29. Samuel Rebukes Saul: 1Sa 13:13. Nathan Rebukes David: 2Sa 12:7,9; 1Ki 18:18. Elijah Rebukes Ahab: 1Ki 21:20. Zechariah Rebukes Judah: 2Ch 24:20. Ezra Rebukes the People: Ezr 10:10-11; Da 5:22; Mt 25:26. The Dying thief Rebukes his Companion: Lu 23:39-40.
Doubt Rebuked: Rebuked by Christ: Mt 6:30. Peter sinking in the Sea: Mt 14:31; 16:8. The Disciples Powerless to Heal: Mt 17:17. The Disciples in the Storm: Mr 4:40. The Two on the Way to Emmaus: Lu 24:25; Joh 20:27.'

Please notice that Paul puts a limit on rebuke when he says with all authority. That means 'limit the rebuke to what you can back up directly from the Bible.' When a preacher bases his rebuke on his own opinion or on religious traditions, he opens the door for others to use the same authority when disputing with the preacher or with someone else. However, neither our opinion nor religious traditions have the authority that the word of God has. Therefore, they are not all authority. Today men put their own opinions and their religious traditions above the word of God because preachers failed to obey this command.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:8-9 about the word authority. The functional definition is: 'Legal power, or a right to command or to act'. The pastor has 'Legal power' because God gives it to him and other types of power are not higher within the church.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'speak. Tit 1:13; 2Ti 4:2 with. Mt 7:29; Mr 1:22,27; Lu 4:36'.

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C2-S8, (Verse 15) : Let no man despise thee.

This is Paul's last sentence of this chapter and is based upon all that came before it. If the preacher does all that Paul tells him to do in this chapter then some people will want to despise them personally (thee). However, if the preacher obeys the commands in this chapter, the way that Paul tells him to do, then God takes any despising as going against God and God brings judgment upon the person doing the despising. If the preacher doesn't obey these commands, or obeys them but does it the wrong way, then God allows the people to despise the preacher. However, when the preacher does the right thing the right way (especially the immediately prior sentence), then they are saving people from God's judgment by obeying this sentence.

The specific actions that a preacher is to take in order to accomplish this sentence is in the next chapter. This sentence introduces the subject of the next chapter.

Please see the note for Romans C2S4 about the word despise. The functional definition is: 'To contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have the lowest opinion of. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1. Else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matt. 6. 2. to abhor'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Let. 1Ti 4:12 General references. exp: Lu 4:32; 1Ti 4:11; 5:7'.

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Titus Chapter 3

links to sentences in this chapter:

C3-S1 (Verse 1-2), C3-S2 (Verse 3), C3-S3 (Verse 4-7), C3-S4 (Verse 8), C3-S5 (Verse 8), C3-S6 (Verse 9), C3-S7 (Verse 10-11), C3-S8 (Verse 12), C3-S9 (Verse 13), C3-S10 (Verse 14), C3-S11 (Verse 14), C3-S12 (Verse 15), C3-S13 (Verse 15), C3-S14 (Verse 15)'.

Sentence Summary:

C3-S1 : Teach good citizenship.
C3-S2 : Remind God's people of how they used to be and what they should no longer be.
C3-S3 : Remind God's people of why they need a good testimony.
C3-S4 : Continuously remind God's people to produce evidence of their salvation.
C3-S5 : Remind God's people that this is how they profit.
C3-S6 : Avoid anything that is unprofitable and vain.
C3-S7 : Deal with an heretick.
C3-S8 : Do your duty to those who taught you.
C3-S9 : Provide for the physical needs of missionaries, evangelists, and others who help God's people.
C3-S10 : Teach that spiritual fruit only comes from good works.
C3-S11 : Encourage people in other churches that are doing God's work.
C3-S12 : Encourage all saints.
C3-S13 : Provide God's grace to all saved.
C3-S14 : this epistle is God's truth.

In Titus 3 we are told sound doctrine that should be seen in the lives of all saved people regardless of their circumstances of life. All truly saved have a changed lifestyle that is caused by having God's life in them. We are to be careful to maintain the God-led life and not backslide to living according to the flesh. We are to also avoid the traps of foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law and to reject the heretick. Finally, we are to help God's missionaries weather they are preachers or not and we are to encourage all saved people.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1-9	Titus is yet further directed by Paul, both concerning the things that he should teach and not teach.
10-11	He is to reject obstinate heretics.
12-15	He appoints him time and place wherein he should come unto him.

C3-S1, (Verse 1-2) the lifestyle of sound doctrine.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers,
to obey magistrates,
to be ready to every good work,
To speak evil of no man,
to be no brawlers,
but gentle,
shewing all meekness unto all men..

What all saved people are to do to show that they obey sound doctrine and that they have a true relationship with God our Saviour

All are to be subject to principalities and powers (spiritual authorities).
All are to obey magistrates (Earthly authorities).
All are to be ready to every good work. That is, not have to be bribed to do a good work.
All are to speak evil of no man, including a despised political leader.
All are to be no brawlers. Can we say ' no' to traffic rage and similar events which provoke us?
All are to be gentle, shewing all meekness (under control of God) unto all men.

Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God.

Please see the note for Romans 13:1 about the word subject. The functional definition is: 'Reduced to the dominion of another; enslaved; exposed; submitted; made to undergo'.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S40 and Ephesians C6S8 about the word principalities. The functional definition is: 'Sovereignty; supreme power. A prince; one invested with sovereignty'.

Please see the note for Romans C13S2 about the word power. The functional definition is: ' In a philosophical sense, the faculty of doing or performing anything; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength. Power might be physical, spiritual, emotional, moral, religious or of some other nature'. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S40; Ephesians C6S8 about spiritual powers.

We find forms of the word magistrate only in: Judges 18:7; Ezra 7:25; Luke 12:11; Luke 12:58; Acts 16:20; Acts 16:22; Acts 16:35-36; Acts 16:38; Titus 3:1. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. in this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States. But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like. The magistrate must have his reverence; the laws their authority'. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a public civil officer invested with authority. the Hebrew shophetim, or judges, were magistrates having authority in the land (De 1:16-17). In Jg 18:7 the word "magistrate" (A.V.) is rendered in the Revised Version "possessing authority", i.e., having power to do them harm by invasion. In the time of Ezra (Ezr 9:2) and Nehemiah (Ne 2:16; 4:14; 13:11) the Jewish magistrates were called seganim, properly meaning "nobles." In the New Testament the Greek word archon, rendered "magistrate" (Lu 12:58; Tit 3:1), means one first in power, and hence a prince, as in Mt 20:25; 1Co 2:6,8. this term is used of the Messiah, "Prince of the kings of the earth" (Re 1:5). In Ac 16:20,22,35-36,38, the Greek term strategos, rendered "magistrate," properly signifies the leader of an army, a general, one having military authority. the strategoi were the duumviri, the two praetors appointed to preside over the administration of justice in the colonies of the Romans. they were attended by the sergeants (properly lictors or "rod bearers")'.

Nave's Topical Bible provides references for the word magistrate as: 'An officer of civil law Jg 18:7; Ezr 7:25; Lu 12:11,58; Ac 16:20,22,35,38. Obedience to, enjoined: Tit 3:1'.

Torrey's Topical Textbook provides references for the word magistrate as: 'Are appointed by God: Ro 13:1. Are ministers of God: Ro 13:4,6. Purpose of their appointment: Ro 13:4; 1Pe 2:14. Their office to be respected: Ac 23:5. Are not a terror to the good, but to the evil: Ro 13:3. Tobe wisely selected and appointed: Ex 18:21; Ezr 7:25. Tobe prayed for: 1Ti 2:1-2. SHOULD. Seek wisdom from God: 1Ki 3:9. Rule in the fear of God: 2Sa 23:3; 2Ch 19:7. Know the law of God: Ezr 7:25. Be faithful to the Sovereign: Da 6:4. Enforce the laws: Ezr 7:26. Judge wisely: 1Ki 3:16-28. Hate covetousness: Ex 18:21. Not take bribes: Ex 23:8; De 16:19. Defend the poor: Job 29:12,16. Judge for God, not for man: 2Ch 19:6. Judge righteously: De 1:16; 16:18; 25:1. Be impartial: Ex 23:6; De 1:17. Be diligent in ruling: Ro 12:8. Subjection to their authority enjoined: Mt 23:2-3. Wicked--Illustrated: Pr 28:15. Good--Exemplified: Joseph, Ge 41:46. Gideon: Jg 8:35. Samuel: 1Sa 12:3-4. Nehemiah: Ne 3:15. Job: Job 29:16. Daniel: Da 6:3. Wicked--Exemplified: Sons of Samuel: 1Sa 8:3. Pilate: Mt 27:24,26. Magistrates in Philippi: Ac 16:22-23. Gallio: Ac 18:16-17. Felix: Ac 24:26'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word magistrate as: 'Wisdom and Integrity Essential to: Ge 41:33; Ex 18:21; De 1:13; 16:18; Pr 24:23; 25:2; 31:4. Duties of: De 17:16; 2Sa 23:3; 2Ch 19:6; Ps 2:10-11; Pr 16:12; 20:28; 29:4,14. Warnings to: De 27:19; Ne 5:7; Ps 110:5; Isa 1:23; 3:14; 10:1; 28:14; Eze 22:27; 28:2; 45:9; Ho 5:10; Mic 3:1; 7:3. Examples of Honour Rendered to: Ge 41:43; 1Sa 10:24; 2Sa 19:15; 1Ki 8:66; Da 3:9; Ac 26:2. Rebuked by the Prophets and Messengers of God: 1Sa 15:23; 2Sa 12:7; 1Ki 14:7; 16:1; 18:18; 21:20; 2Ki 3:13; 2Ch 12:5; 16:9; 26:18; Da 5:23; Mr 6:18; Ac 23:3'.

A magistrate is a government official. Please see the note for Romans 12:28 for links to notes on this site which use various words related to government. While the word government is not used within this sentence, the words used are part of our government.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The functional definition is: 'to move, or to labor'.

We find forms of the word brawl only in: Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 25:24; 1Timothy 3:3 and Titus 3:2. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.i. 1. to quarrel noisily and indecently. 2. to speak loud and indecently. 3. to roar as water; to make a noise.
BRAWL, v.t. to drive or beat away.
BRAWL, n. Noise; quarrel; scurrility; uproar'.

Please see the note for Galatians 5:22-23 for links to every verse in the Bible which uses any form of the word gentle along with a definition and links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'Softness in manners'.

Please see the note for Galatians C6S1 fabout the word meek. That note has links to every place in the Bible where We find this word along with a short note on each usage. The functional definition is: 'Strength under control of God's Holy Spirit'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Put. Isa 43:26; 1Ti 4:6; 2Ti 1:6; 2Pe 1:12; 3:1-2; Jude 1:5 to be subject. De 17:12; Pr 24:21; Ec 8:2-5; 10:4; Jer 27:17; Mt 22:21; 23:2-3; Ro 13:1-7; 1Ti 2:2; 1Pe 2:13-17 to be ready. Tit 3:8,14; 2:14; 1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9-10; Eph 2:10; Php 1:11; Col 1:10; 1Ti 5:10; 2Ti 2:21; Heb 13:21 General references. exp: Jos 1:16; 1Sa 10:25; 1Pe 2:13.
speak. Ps 140:11; Pr 6:19; Ac 23:5; 1Co 6:10; 2Co 12:20; Eph 4:31; 1Ti 3:11; Jas 4:11; 1Pe 2:1; 3:10; 4:4; 2Pe 2:10; Jude 1:8,10 no. Pr 19:19; 25:24; 1Ti 3:3; 2Ti 2:24-25 gentle. 2Sa 22:36; Isa 40:11; Mt 11:29; 2Co 10:1; Ga 5:22; 6:1; Eph 4:2; Php 4:5; Col 3:12-13; 1Th 2:7; 2Ti 2:24-25; Jas 1:19-20; 3:17; 1Pe 3:8 all men. 1Co 9:19; Ga 6:10; 1Th 5:14-15; 1Pe 2:17 exp: 1Ti 2:1'.

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C3-S2, (Verse 3) Why all saved should obey sound doctrine.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,
disobedient,
deceived,
serving divers lusts and pleasures,
living in malice and envy,
hateful,
and hating one another..

Points from this sentence:

We used to act like the lost before we were saved. Therefore, we should be understanding with them.
We didn't earn salvation (Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us).
We act differently because of His ongoing work in our life (by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost).
Jesus Christ is our Saviour and wants to work through our life so that He can be Saviour of the lost.
We are justified by his grace and should live like it.
We should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Notice that this says should be, not 'will be'. It is should because it is not guaranteed. It is based upon (according to) the hope of eternal life. If we don't live a life that shows the hope of eternal life then we are not guaranteed (probably will not) to be made heirs.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:16 about the word fool. The functional definition is: ' One who is destitute of reason, or the common powers of understanding; an idiot. Some persons are born fools, and are called natural fools; others may become fools by some injury done to the brain. In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness'. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the condemnation of fools. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines the word foolish as: 'Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character. 2. Unwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things. 3. Proceeding from folly, or marked with folly; silly; vain; trifling. But foolish questions avoid. 2Tim. 2. 4. Ridiculous; despicable. A foolish figure he must make. 5. In scripture, wicked; sinful; acting without regard to the divine law and glory, or to one's own eternal happiness. of foolish Galatians - Ga. 3. 6. Proceeding from depravity; sinful; as foolish lusts. 1Tim. 6'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word foolish as: 'Foolish Questions: (to be Avoided): 1Ti 1:4; 6:4; 2Ti 2:23; Tit 3:9. Folly: Of men: General References to: Ps 49:13; Pr 14:8; 15:14; 18:13; 26:11; Ec 2:13; 10:1. Revealed: Pr 12:23; 15:2; 18:2; Ec 5:3; 10:3; 2Ti 3:9. WITNESSES, Two or thee Required: See Witnesses; Two or three Required. Disciples and Early Christians as: Lu 1:2; 24:48; Ac 1:22; 5:32; 10:39; 13:31; 1Pe 5:1; 2Pe 1:16'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S15 and 1Corinthians 3:18 about the word deceived. The note in 1Corinthians breaks down the references, in the New Testament, by how the word is used. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S3 about the phrase deceiveth himself. The functional definition is: 'Misled; led into error; beguiled; cheated; deluded'.

Please see the note for Hebrews C1-S1 about the word divers. The functional definition is: 'Old spelling of "diverse;" unequal. Pr 20:10'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S17 and Galatians C5-S18; Jude 1:16 about the word lust. The functional definition is: 'Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; as the lust of gain'.

Please see the note for Luke 8:14 about the word pleasure. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'PLEASURE, n. plezh'ur. 1. the gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish or happiness produced by enjoyment or the expectation of good; opposed to pain. We receive pleasure from the indulgence of appetite; from the view of a beautiful landscape; from the harmony of sounds; from agreeable society; from the expectation of seeing an absent friend; from the prospect of gain or success of any kind. Pleasure, bodily and mental, carnal and spiritual, constitutes the whole of positive happiness, as pain constitutes the whole of misery. Pleasure is properly positive excitement of the passions or the mind; but we give the name also to the absence of excitement, when that excitement is painful; as when we cease to labor, or repose after fatigue, or when the mind is tranquilized after anxiety or agitation. Pleasure is susceptible of increase to any degree; but the word when unqualified, expresses less excitement or happiness than delight or joy. 2. Sensual or sexual gratification. 3. Approbation. The Lord taketh pleasure in his people. Ps. 147. and 149. 4. What the will dictates or prefers; will; choice; purpose; intention; command; as, use your pleasure. Cyrus, he is my shepherd and shall perform all my pleasure. Is.44. My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. Is.46. 5. A favor; that which Please s. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul. Acts.25. 6. Arbitrary will or choice. He can vary his scheme at pleasure.' please also see the notes for 2Timothy 2:4 and Galatians 1:10-LJC about the word please. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C10S2 about the phrase well pleased.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C5S7 and Colossians C3S6 about the word malice. The functional definition is: 'Extreme enmity of heart, or malevolence; a disposition to injure others without cause, from mere personal gratification or from a spirit of revenge; unprovoked malignity or spite'.

Please also see the note for Romans 13:13 which has links to every verse in the Bible which uses a form of the word envy along with divisions of this word by commentators. The functional definition is: 'To feel uneasiness, mortification or discontent, at the sight of superior excellence, reputation or happiness enjoyed by another; to repine at another's prosperity; to fret or grieve one's self at the real or supposed superiority of another, and to hate him on that account'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'we. Ro 3:9-20; 1Co 6:9-11; Eph 2:1-3; Col 1:21; 3:7; 1Pe 4:1-3 foolish. Pr 1:22-23; 8:5; 9:6 exp: Ro 10:19; 1Pe 2:15. disobedient. Mt 21:29; Ac 9:1-6; 26:19-20; Eph 2:2; 1Pe 1:14 exp: 1Ti 1:9. deceived. Isa 44:20; Ob 1:3; Lu 21:8; Ga 6:3; Jas 1:26; Re 12:9; 13:14 serving. Joh 8:34; Ro 6:17,22 living. Ro 1:29-31; 2Co 12:20; 2Ti 3:2-3 hateful. Ps 36:2; Re 18:2 General references. exp: Ge 39:16; Le 14:17; Isa 11:6; Ro 9:16; Eph 2:9; Col 3:7; 1Jo 4:19'.

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C3-S3, (Verse 4-7) All men should obey sound doctrine because of the type of salvation that God provides.

What God did in the past for our salvation.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to his mercy he saved us,
by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost;.

What God is doing in our current life for our salvation.

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;.

What God will do in our future for our salvation.

That being justified by his grace,
we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life..

Please also see the Message called The Love of God for the application of these verses in the life of the believer.

Notice that this sentence starts with But, which connects it to the prior sentence while going in a different direction. In that sentence (above), Paul reminded us of all of the sinful attitudes that we used to live with. He also said that we were deceived. However, God's salvation removes the deceit from the devil. As a result, we are to let Him remove the sinful attitudes and change us. Notice the words washing of regeneration and renewing. The 'ing' makes these words ongoing processes, which matches with what is taught throughout the Bible. That is, our changed life occurs over time due to God working through our ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour. These changes are related to the last sentence (But) in that our sinful attitudes are the things which are changed through the washing of regeneration and renewing.

Going on, this change is not a one-time religious event but an process that occurs over time and is not complete until after we get to heaven. Notice that the first step of this sentence has words which are in the past tense (after, appeared, have done, saved). Now notice that the last step of this sentence has words that are future tense (should be and hope). The middle part has a past tense verb (shed) that has an ongoing present tense effect (abundantly through) upon our current relationship (Jesus Christ our Saviour). Thus, we see the steps which occur over time. These Steps are part of our relationship with God. Please also see the note for this sentence in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, which provides more details on this relationship.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S8 and Colossians C3S8 about the word kind. The functional definition is: 'Good will; benevolence; that temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; benignity of nature. Kindness ever accompanies love'.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The functional definition is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S10 and Galatians C2-S16 about the word righteous / righteousness. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines righteous as: 'Just; accordant to the divine law. Applied to persons, it denotes one who is holy in heart, and observant of the divine commands in practice; as a righteous man. Applied to things, it denotes consonant to the divine will or to justice; as a righteous act. It is used chiefly in theology, and applied to God, to his testimonies and to his saints. The righteous, in Scripture, denote the servants of God, the saints. 2. Just; equitable; merited. And I thy righteous doom will bless'. The functional definition is: 'doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time and for the right reason'. We find forms of the word righteousness occurring in 1Timothy, only in: our current sentence and 1:8-11. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the phrase fruit of righteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C4S7 about the phrase imputeth righteousness. Please also see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the phrase righteousness of the Law. Please also see the notes for Romans C3S7 and Romans C1S16 about the word unrighteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C2S5 about the phrase obeying unrighteousness. The functional definition is: 'Doing the right thing the right way and at the right time with all defined by God'.

This is the only place in Titus where the word saved is used. Although, the word salvation is used in 2:11-14. Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 for links to every place in that epistle where we find the word salvation along with definitions from three different dictionaries and links from other commentators. Please also see the note for Main Menu item for Salvation about the word save. The functional definition is: 'to exclude. When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you. When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life' .

We find forms of the word wash occurring 151 times in 136 verses of the Bible, 40 times in 34 verses of the New Testament but only in our current sentence within Titus. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'WASHING, ppr. Cleansing with water; purifying; overflowing; overspreading.
WASHING, n. 1. the act of cleansing with water; ablution. Hebrews 9. 2. A wash; or the clothes washed'. This verb is often used symbolically for: 'spiritual removal of sin and the influence of sin by Jesus Christ'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word washing as: 'Ceremonial: Le 6:27; 13:54; 14:8; 16:28; Nu 31:24; 2Ch 4:6. Of Feet: Ge 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; 1Sa 25:41; 2Sa 11:8; Lu 7:44; Joh 13:5; 1Ti 5:10. Of Hands: (in token of innocence): De 21:6; Ps 26:6; 73:13; Mt 27:24. '.

Nave's Topical Bible provides references for the word washing as: 'Of hands, a token of innocence: De 21:6; Ps 26:6; 73:13; Mt 27:24. Of regeneration : Ps 51:7; Pr 30:12; Isa 1:16; 4:4; Zec 13:1; 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5. '.

We find forms of the word regeneration only in Matthew 19:28 and our current sentence. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Reproduction; the act of producing anew. 2. In theology, new birth by the grace of God; that change by which the will and natural enmity of man to God and his law are subdued, and a principle of supreme love to God and his law, or holy affections, are implanted in the heart. He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3'. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'only found in Mt 19:28; Tit 3:5. this word literally means a "new birth." the Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Mt 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Ac 3:21). In Tit 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1Jo 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2Co 5:17); being born again (Joh 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Ro 12:2); a resurrection from the dead (Eph 2:6); a being quickened (Eph 2:1,5). This change is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. It originates not with man but with God (Joh 1:12-13; 1Jo 2:29; 5:1,4). as to the nature of the change, it consists in the implanting of a new principle or disposition in the soul; the impartation of spiritual life to those who are by nature "dead in trespasses and sins." the necessity of such a change is emphatically affirmed in Scripture (Joh 3:3; Ro 7:18; 8:7-9; 1Co 2:14; Eph 2:1; 4:21-24)'.

provides references for the word regeneration as: 'The teaching concerning: Birth of a New Spirit: Eze 36:26. f Divine Origin: Joh 1:13. Essential to Spiritual Vision: Joh 3:3; 2Co 3:3. A New Creation: 2Co 5:17. Necessary to Salvation: Tit 3:5; Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:3. By the word of God: 1Pe 1:23; 1Jo 2:29; 3:9; 4:7. obtained by Faith: 1Jo 5:1'.

Nave's Topical Bible provides references for the word regeneration as: 'General scriptures concerning: De 29:4; 30:6; 1Ki 8:58; Ps 36:9; 51:2,7,10; 65:3; 68:18; 87:4,6; 110:3; Pr 4:23; 12:28; 14:27; 16:1; Isa 1:16-17,25; 4:4; 12:3; 26:12; 29:23; 32:3-4,15,17; 35:5-6; 42:16; 43:7; 44:3-5; 49:9; 55:1-3; Jer 13:23; 17:13-14; 24:7; 31:3,33-34; 32:38-40; 33:6; Eze 11:19-20; 16:9; 18:31; 36:26-27,29; 37:1-14; 44:7,9; Zec 12:10; Mt 12:33-35,43-44; 13:23,33; 18:3; Mr 4:20,26-29; 5:19-20; 10:15; Lu 1:16-17; 8:35,38-39; 13:21; 18:17; Joh 1:4,13,16; 3:3-8; 4:10,14; 5:24; 6:44-45,47,50-51,57; 8:12,32,36; 10:9-10; 13:8; 15:1,3; 17:2; Ac 2:38,47; 3:26; 11:17,21; 15:9; 16:14; 21:19; 26:18; Ro 2:28-29; 6:3-23; 7:6,24-25; 8:2-6,9,13-16; 12:2; 15:16; 1Co 1:9,24,30; 2:12,14-16; 3:6-7,9; 6:11; 12:6,13; 15:10; 2Co 1:21-22; 3:3,18; 4:6; 5:5,17; Ga 2:20; 4:29; 6:15; Eph 2:1,5,8,10; 4:7-8,16,21-24; 5:14; Php 1:6; Col 2:11-13; 3:9-10; 2Th 2:13; Tit 3:5-6; Heb 4:1-12; 8:10-11; 10:16-17,22-23; Jas 1:18; 5:19-20; 1Pe 1:2-3,22-23; 2:3; 2Pe 1:3-4; 1Jo 2:27,29; 3:9,14; 4:7; 5:1,4-5,11-12,18. INSTANCES OF: Jacob: Ge 32:29. King Saul: 1Sa 10:9. Saul of Tarsus: Ac 9:3-18'.

Please see the note for Colossians 3:10 about the word renew. The functional definition is: 'Made new again; repaired; re-established; repeated; revived; renovated; regenerated'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7; Colossians C1S6 about the word holy. Please see the note for 1John C2S25 about the phrase Holy One. The functional definition of holy is: ' whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections'. We find the word holy only in 1:8 and 3:5. We find the word holiness only in 2:3. Please also see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost. There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost and God's Holy Spirit, but I can not specify what that doctrinal difference is at this time. Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity. Please see the link for God's Holy Spirit for links to the various applications where this other identifier of the third Person is used. The phrase Holy Ghost only occurs within the New Testament. Please also see the note for Romans C5S2 which explains how the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word abundant. The functional definition is: 'lentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply. In scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with'.

Please see the note for RomansC3S19 about the word justify. The functional definition is: 'To prove or show to be just, or conformable to law, right, justice, propriety or duty; to defend or maintain; to vindicate as right. We cannot justify disobedience or ingratitude to our Maker. We cannot justify insult or incivility to our fellow men. Intemperance, lewdness, profaneness and dueling are in no case to be justified'. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please ALSO see the notes for Galatians 2:16-LJC and Romans C7S16 about the word just.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S5; Romans C4S17; Galatians 1:1 and Ephesians C1S2 about the word grace. The main application, and what many claim is the definition is: 'God's riches at Christ's expense'. However, we see grace given by men in the Bible and Christ definately did not die to pay for what men give. The doctrinal use of grace, within the Bible, is: 'that which is given to make the giver look good'. If we don't use God's grace to make God look good then He wasted His grace on us.

Please see the note for Romans C8S16 about the word heir. It has links to every verse, in Romans, which uses any form of the word heir along with a note for each verse. The functional definition is: 'The man who succeeds, or is to succeed another in the possession of lands, tenements and hereditaments, by descent; the man on whom the law casts an estate of inheritance by the death of the ancestor or former possessor; or the man in whom the title to an estate of inheritance is vested by the operation of law, on the death of a former owner'.

Please see the note for 1:2 for links to every place in this epistle where we find mention of eternal. The functional definition is: 'without beginning or end. Only God, and things from God like God's life, are eternal'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 11:30 for links to the all of the verses in the Bible which use the phrase eternal life.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the kindness. Tit 2:11; Ro 5:20-21; Eph 2:4-10 love. or, pity. exp: Ro 8:39. God. Tit 1:3; 2:10; 1Ti 1:1; 2:3; 4:10 exp: Ps 24:5; 106:21; Lu 1:47; Joh 3:16; Jude 1:25. appeared. Tit 2:11; 2Ti 1:10; Heb 9:26 General references. exp: Le 14:17; Isa 11:6; 43:11; Ro 9:16; Eph 2:9; 1Jo 4:19.
by works. Job 9:20; 15:14; 25:4; Ps 143:2; Isa 57:12; Lu 10:27-29; Ro 3:20,28; 4:5; 9:11,16,30; 11:6; Ga 2:16; 3:16-21; Eph 2:4,8-9; 2Ti 1:9 according. Tit 3:4; Ps 62:12; 86:5,15; 130:7; Mic 7:18; Lu 1:50,54,72,78; Eph 1:6-7; Heb 4:16; 1Pe 1:3; 2:10 exp: Nu 14:19. washing. Joh 3:3-5; 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26; 1Pe 3:21 renewing. Ps 51:10; Ro 12:2; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Heb 6:6 General references. exp: Ex 30:19; 40:7; Le 14:17; Isa 11:6; 43:11; Ro 9:16; Eph 2:9; 1Jo 4:19.
he shed. Pr 1:23; Isa 32:15; 44:3; Eze 36:25; Joe 2:28; Joh 1:16; 7:37; Ac 2:33; 10:45; Ro 5:5 abundantly. Gr. richly. Eph 4:2; 3:8 through. Tit 1:4; Joh 4:10; 14:16-17; 16:7; Ro 8:2 General references. exp: Le 8:11; 14:17; Isa 43:11.
being. Tit 2:11; Ro 3:24,28; 4:4,16; 5:1-2,15-21; 11:6; 1Co 6:11; Ga 2:16 made. Ro 8:17,23-24; Ga 3:29; 4:7; Heb 6:17; 11:7,9; Jas 2:5; 1Pe 3:7 hope. Tit 1:2; 2:13 General references. exp: Ge 6:8; Ro 3:28; 1Jo 2:25'.

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C3-S4, (Verse 8) Good works that are based upon faith produces sound doctrine.

This is a faithful saying,
and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works..

A faithful saying is a saying that is not only full of faith but is also reliable, constant and unwavering. It does not change for circumstances or time or any other factor. As said many times before, faith (in the Bible) is an action verb that is like the start switch in a car. When we turn the key, we send a little bit of electricity to the solenoid which gives it permission to use the power from the battery to start the engine. The little electricity from the start switch has nothing to do with the power used to actually start the car. Our faith is an action we do before God acts through our life to prove that we, of our own free will, give God permission to do His work through our life. Again, the difference between faith and hope (in the Bible) is that faith is based upon the promise of God while hope is based upon the character of God. When we maintain good works we are supposed to be doing the action of faith. That means that we have to be doing them with the attitude that we are giving God permission to work through our life. This attitude is critical. Two different people can do the same religious 'work' and get different results because God also considers the attitude of our heart.

In the chapter before this Paul told us how to demonstrate that we had sound doctrine. The last sentence of chapter 2 was the basis for chapter 3. The first sentence of chapter 3 was telling us the attitude to have with other men when they do things to make us mad. The next sentence told us why (For) and that was we ourselves also were.., meaning that such actions are supposed to be in our past but not in our present. The next sentence started with But, which ties it to the prior sentence while going in a different direction. That sentence tells us about the work of God in our life due to salvation and used words like washing of regeneration and renewing and justified. So the promise of faith in our current sentence is that God will apply washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost to our lives as we maintain good works which gives God ongoing permission to do these spiritual works in our life. The changes which we allow God to make in our life justifies His saving us and displays sound doctrine. When we maintain good works we demonstrate that we are not liars and that we really believed in God. This truth is what Paul told Titus to affirm constantly and to do that affirming in a personal way (thou). That is, as a pastor Titus was to lead by example and to personally maintain good works before he asked his followers to do the same.

The phrase This is a faithful saying occurs in: 1Timothy 1:15, 1Timothy 4:9 and Titus 3:8.

We find forms of the word affirm only in: Luke 22:59; Acts 12:15; Acts 25:19; Romans 3:8; 1Timothy 1:7 and 3:8. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to declare the existence of something; to maintain as true; opposed to deny. Of one Jesus whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Acts 25. 2. to make firm; to establish, confirm or ratify; as, the Supreme court affirmed the judgment'.

Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please see the notes for Romans 3:26-LJC and John 20:31-LJC about the phrase believe in Jesus / Christ. Please see the note for Romans C4S21 about the phrase belief requires us to do. Please see the notes for Romans C3S4 and Romans C3S5 about the word unbelief. The functional definition is: 'To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity'. In addition, the difference between a 'head belief' and a true 'heart belief' is that a true 'heart belief' causes a person to act upon what they claim to believe. Further, the word believeth is: 'an ongoing lifestyle heart based belief'. Any so-called belief, which does not result in a changed life is only a 'head belief' and does not receive the promised blessings of a true Biblical belief. .

Please see the note for Philippians 2:28 about the word careful. The functional definition for this word is: 'full of care'.

Please see the note for Titus 3:14 about the word maintain. The functional definition is: 'To hold, preserve or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present character or reputation'.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The functional definition is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the note for James 2:14 for links to every verse in the New Testament where the words faith and works contained within the same verse.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a faithful. Tit 1:9; 1Ti 1:15 that thou. Pr 21:28; Ac 12:15; 2Co 4:13 which. Ps 78:22; Joh 5:24; 12:44; Ro 4:5; 1Pe 1:21; 1Jo 5:10-13 be. Tit 3:1,14; 2:14 good. Job 22:2; 35:7-8; Ps 16:2-3; 2Co 9:12-15; Phm 1:11 exp: Eph 2:10; 1Ti 5:10'.

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C3-S5, (Verse 8) These things are good and profitable unto men.

In the Bible, what is good is 'from God'. A profit is 'an increased result due to an investment'. Doing the things that Paul has told us to do in this epistle (maintain good works) are the 'investment' that we make in order for God to produce an increased (profitable') good result in our life. We have to do a little of the work that is from God in order for God to do a great work in our life. Foranyone who has ever used a well, this is like 'priming the pump'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S3 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word profit. The functional definition is: 'to proceed forward, to advance'. Please also see the note for Matthew 25:30 about the word unprofitable. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Bringing no profit; producing no gain beyond the labor, expenses and interest of capital; as unprofitable land; unprofitable stock; unprofitable employment. 2. Producing no improvement or advantage; useless; serving no purpose; as an unprofitable life; unprofitable study. Job. 15. 3. Not useful to others. 4. Misimproving talents; bringing no glory to God; as an unprofitable servant. Matt. 25'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. exp: De 6:17; 1Ti 4:11; Tit 2:1'.

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C3-S6, (Verse 9) Specific things for Titus to avoid.

First Step: What to avoid.

But avoid foolish questions,
and genealogies,
and contentions,
and strivings about the law;.

Second Step: Why.

for they are unprofitable and vain..

This is a two step process with the commandment to avoid certain things being the first step and the reason why being the second step. Some things are only understood through experience. Each of these items are things that the natural man will argue about but it is an argument that can not be won. Satan will put people in our path when we go to do God's work who will try to argue with us about one of these items. It is only after walking away from such arguments several times that people really understand deep down that there was a spiritual victory ahead that they would have missed if they stayed to argue.

in this sentence, Paul uses law for the religious part of the Mosaic Law. In general, this is a type for any set of religious rules. God doesn't want us arguing about religious rules but following the leading of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives. If I'm following the Holy Spirit then I don't have to worry about your religious rules and if you are following the Holy Spirit then you don't have to worry about my religious rules. The only time that there will be a problem is when someone over me gives me a rule that I disagree with. Then, God tells me to Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.. (Hebrews 13:17). See the Book Study on 1Peter for the Biblical definition of submit. We are to disagree only when we have at least two places where the Bible literally says that they are wrong (1Timothy 5:19).

Please see the note for 1Timothy 6:20 about the word avoid. The functional definition for this word is: 'To shun; to keep at a distance from; that is, literally, to go or be wide from'.

Please see the note for 3:3 about the word foolish. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines the word foolish as: 'Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character. 2. Unwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things. 3. Proceeding from folly, or marked with folly; silly; vain; trifling. But foolish questions avoid. 2Tim. 2. 4. Ridiculous; despicable. A foolish figure he must make. 5. In scripture, wicked; sinful; acting without regard to the divine law and glory, or to one's own eternal happiness. of foolish Galatians - Ga. 3. 6. Proceeding from depravity; sinful; as foolish lusts. 1Tim. 6'.

Please see the note for Mark 1:27 about the word question. The functional definition for this word is: 'The act of asking; an interrogatory; as, to examine by question and answer'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C11S16 and Philippians 1:15-17 about the word contentious / contention / contend. The functional definition is: 'Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel'.

Please see the note for Romans 15:30-32 which has links to everywhere that the Bible uses the word strive. The definition from Webster's 1828 is: ' v.i. pret. strove; pp. striven. G. this word coincides in elements with drive, and the primary sense is nearly the same. See Rival. 1. to make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard; applicable to exertions of body or mind. A workman strives to perform his task before another; a student strives to excel his fellows in improvement. Was it for this that his ambition strove to equal Cesar first, and after Jove? Strive with me in your prayers to God for me. Romans 15. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Luke 8. 2. to contend; to contest; to struggle in opposition to another; to be in contention or dispute; followed by against or with before the person or thing opposed; as, strive against temptation; strive for the truth. My spirit shall not always strive with man. Genesis 6. 3. to oppose by contrariety of qualities. Now private pity strove with public hate, reason with rage, and eloquence with fate. 4. to vie; to be comparable to; to emulate; to contend in excellence. Not that sweet grove of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspird Castalian spring, might with this paradise of Eden strive'.

The functional definition of the word law is: 'A written code or rule that is enforced by God or some government'. Please also see the following notes about law: law of works: Romans C3S27. kinds of laws that apply to us tday: Romans C3S31; 1Corinthians 9:21-LJC. Law defined: Romans C6S16; 1Corinthians C6S1. religious part of Moses' law: Hebrews 19:29-LJC. righteousness of the Law: Ephesians 4:7-LJC. Law and faith: Romans C3S25. Mosaic Law added: Galatians C3S22.

Please see the note for Matthew 25:30 about the word unprofitable. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Bringing no profit; producing no gain beyond the labor, expenses and interest of capital; as unprofitable land; unprofitable stock; unprofitable employment. 2. Producing no improvement or advantage; useless; serving no purpose; as an unprofitable life; unprofitable study. Job. 15. 3. Not useful to others. 4. Misimproving talents; bringing no glory to God; as an unprofitable servant. Matt. 25 '. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S3 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word profit. The functional definition for this word is: 'to proceed forward, to advance'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'avoid. Tit 1:14; 1Ti 1:3-7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:23 unprofitable. Job 15:3; 1Co 8:1; 13:2; 2Ti 2:14 General references. exp: 2Ti 2:23'.

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C3-S7, (Verse 10-11) Specific actions for Titus to do.

First Step: What to do.

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;.

Second Step: Why.

Knowing that he that is such is subverted,
and sinneth,
being condemned of himself..

Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines 'heretic' as: '1. A person under any religion, but particularly the Christian, who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith, or that which is made the standard of orthodoxy. In strictness, among Christians, a person who holds and avows religious opinions contrary to the doctrines of Scripture, the only rule of faith and practice. 2. Any one who maintains erroneous opinions.'

We also find (forms of) heresy in four verses:

Acts 24:14 is part of Paul's defense before Felix when he was arrested in the Temple and falsely accused of heresy because he choose to obey God in his personal life rather than follow erroneous religious traditions. This shows that when heresy becomes the religious tradition then the people who follow erroneous religious traditions will accuse the people who worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) of doing their own sin. Please also see the Study called God is a Spirit.
1Corinthians is part of Paul's writing and leads into the section traditionally read by Baptist at every Lord's Supper. Here Paul was warning that people who wanted church members to follow them instead of following our Lord would cause divisions in the church and teach heresies. That led into his teaching on the consequence of participating in the Lord's Supper while unworthy.
Galatians 5:20 lists heresies as one of the works of the flesh. That is, heresy causes the person to be filled with a false pride because they are getting others to follow their personal religious rules while claiming to lead others in following the true Lord.
2Peter 2:1 starts chapter 2 of that epistle and is tied to the prior sentences (while going a different direction) by the sentence starting with a But. The prior sentences warned Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. Forthe prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. thus, Peter is warning against the religious teachings which disagree with what the Holy Ghost teaches in other parts of the Bible. The truth is that there are NOproblem verses' in the Bible. All so-called problems are the result of private interpretation. All true interpretation comes from the Holy Ghost, who is God. Since God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), He can not say one thing in one place of the Bible and disagree with Himself in another. The true interpretation of any part of the Bible agrees with all other true interpretation of any other part of the Bible. Like Paul, Peter warns of God's judgment upon the heretick.

Paul gives Titus a two-step process. The first step is to reject him after the first and second admonition . Many places in the Bible teach for us to have at least two witnesses and the preacher is to admonish the heretick twice from the word of God so that he has at least two witnesses of his error from the word of God. However, the preacher needs to be sure that his admonition is based upon the interpretation of the word of God that agrees with all other places in the word of God or the preacher might end up like those who falsely accused Paul in Acts (see above).

The second step of this sentence tells the preacher Knowing that he that is such is subverted, which means that God has revealed to the preacher in a personal way (Knowing) that this person is following the flesh or a devil into trying to destroy the work of God (subverted). The preacher is also warned that he is to know that this person sinneth, and, therefore, will try to get others to participate in their sin. As a result, this person is condemned of himself. If the preacher does not reject the heretick, that heretick will teach others to do things which will cause those others to also be condemned. Thus, the preacher is not being 'mean' but is protecting others from being condemned when he rejects the heretick.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S12 and Ephesians C6S3 about the word admonish. The functional definition is: 'Gentle reproof; counseling against a fault; instruction in duties; caution; direction'.

We find forms of the word heretick only in this verse. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', n. 1. A person under any religion, but particularly the christian, who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith, or that which is made the standard of orthodoxy. In strictness, among christians, a person who holds and avows religious opinions contrary to the doctrines of Scripture, the only rule of faith and practice. 2. Any one who maintains erroneous opinions.'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:14 about the word subvert. The functional definition is: 'To overthrow from the foundation; to overturn; to ruin utterly'.

Please see the note for Romans C7S26 about the word sin. The functional definition is: 'The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Sin is either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'heretick. 1Co 11:19; Ga 5:20; 2Pe 2:1 after. Mt 18:15-17; 2Co 13:2 reject. Ro 16:17; 1Co 5:4-13; Ga 5:12; 2Th 3:6,14; 2Ti 3:5; 2Jo 1:10
is subverted. Tit 1:11; Ac 15:24; 1Ti 1:19-20; 2Ti 2:14; Heb 10:26 being. Mt 25:26-28; Lu 7:30; 19:22; Joh 3:18; Ac 13:46; Ro 3:19'.

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C3-S8, (Verse 12) Paul's pl and for his immediate future.

Equivalent Section: What he is having his helpers do.

When I shall send Artemas unto thee,
or Tychicus,
be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis:.

Equivalent Section: What he pl and on doing.

for I have determined there to winter..

Artemas is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. There is a little more speculation by some commentators based upon unreliable history, but that is not a reliable source for commenting upon the Bible.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 4:12 for links to every place in the Bible where we find Tychicus. He was a preacher trained and used by Paul but was not one of the three whom Paul called son. Therefore, he did not have the same character as Paul.

What we see here is evidence that Paul was not aware that he was writing scripture, even though most of this epistle is instructing the preacher in Bible truths. It is speculation on my part, but I do not believe that Paul would include these personal matters if he was aware that he was writing scripture. The truth is that people are often not aware of greater spiritual significance that their decisions and actions have. That is why we need to consult God on all things, even ones that we feel are not important.

In addition, this sentence lets us know that Paul was not in prison at the time of writing this epistle. People use information like this, combined with historical documents, to put dates and places on letters that Paul wrote. Then other people want to 'take a doctrinal stand' based upon information that is not completely Biblical in its source. The devil likes these actions because they distract from people paying attention to the major concern, which is the message within the epistle. God allows such as a test to separate fools from the wise. Please be wise and concentrate upon obeying the doctrine which came before this. This sentence has interest and truth, but is not doctrinally significant.

Please notice the word thee within our sentence. Paul was going to send a messenger to Titus personally, quite possibly with the original of this epistle. Paul did not send his messenger to the church and while this epistle had indirect significance to the church, through the obedience of Titus, it had no direct significance. Therefore, the messenger was significant to Titus personally but not to the church in general and, apparently, not significant doctrinally.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 4:12 about Tychicus. As mentioned there, he was a preacher trained and used by Paul but was not one of the three whom Paul called son. Therefore, he did not have the same character as Paul.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:7 about the word diligence. The functional definition is: ' Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity'.

The city of Nicopolis was in of Macedonia.

Please see the note for Mark 13:18 about the word winter. The functional definition for this word is: 'The cold season of the year'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Tychicus. Ac 20:4; 2Ti 4:12 exp: Eph 6:21; Col 4:7. be. 2Ti 4:9,21 for. 1Co 16:6,8-9'.

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C3-S9, (Verse 13) Specific actions for Titus to do.

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently,
that nothing be wanting unto them..

Here we see instruction for a pastor to care for traveling preachers and Christian workers. 3John was written to tell Gaius that he did right by caring for such people and to condemn a pastor at that church who refused to do the same.

Zenas is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. However, he is obviously a traveling companion of Apollos and we can reasonably assume that he was a non-preacher missionary and Christian worker because he is named by Paul as someone for the pastor / church to care for.

Also, although I include the links by other commentators, as a possible aid, I do not endorse all of them. For example, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, provides references for the word 'lawyer' which I very much doubt is Zenas the lawyer. Yes, it is a valid link if you are looking for 'lawyers', but you must be careful about any further assumption made about the link.

Please see the note for Luke 14:3 about the word lawyer. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'A teacher of the law, one who expounded the law. Nicodemus was probably one, for the Lord called him a 'teacher of Israel.' the Lord said of the lawyers that they put heavy burdens on others, but did not touch them themselves; and in their expositions they took away the key of knowledge. they did not enter in themselves, and hindered those who were entering a solemn description that may, alas, apply to some in this day, such as are elsewhere described as 'blind leaders of the blind.' Mt 22:35; Lu 7:30; 10:25; 11:45-52; 14:3; Tit 3:13'. Note: While this and other dictionaries acknowledge the difference in authority between a scribe and a doctor of law, none of them acknowledge that the lawyer was a position of authority between the other two positions.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S1; Galatians C2-S10 and Psalms 119 about the word law. The functional definition for this word is: 'the set of written or commonly understood rules for acceptable behavior and which can be used by a legal system for punishing offenders'. Please also see the note for Galatians 3:10 about the phrase book of the law. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of the life. Please also see the notes for Romans C3S31 and 1Corinthians 9:21-LJC about the phrase kinds of laws that apply to us tday. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about the phrase law and faith. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S22 about the phrase Mosaic Law added. Please also see the note for Hebrews 10:28-29 about the phrase New Testament replaces only the religious part of the Mosaic Law. Please also see the note for Hebrews 19:29-LJC about the phrase religious part of Mosaic Law. Please also see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the phrase righteousness of the Law.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:12 for links to every verse where we see the name of Apollos used.

We find forms of the word journey occurring 107 times in 99 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthew 10:10; Matthew 25:15; Mark 6:8; Mark 13:34; Luke 2:44; Luke 9:3; Luke 10:33; Luke 11:6; Luke 13:22; Luke 15:13; John 4:6; Acts 1:12; Acts 9:3; Acts 9:7; Acts 10:9; Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13; Romans 1:10; Romans 15:24; 1Corinthians 16:6; 2Corinthians 11:26; Titus 2:13; 3John 1:6. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1.) A day's journey in the East is from 16 to 20 miles (Nu 11:31). (2.) A sabbath-day's journey is 2,000 paces or yards from the city walls (Ac 1:12). According to Jewish tradition, it was the distance one might travel without violating the law of Ex 16:29. (See sabbath.)'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:14 about the word want. The functional definition is: 'Lack; be deficient. De 28:48'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the lawyer. Mt 22:35; Lu 7:30; 10:25; 11:45,52; 14:3 Apollos. Ac 18:24 on. Ac 21:5; 28:10; Ro 15:24; 1Co 16:11; 3Jo 1:6-8'.

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C3-S10, (Verse 14) Specific actions for saved people to do.

And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses,
that they be not unfruitful..

Good works are required in order for the saved person to produce spiritual fruit. All throughout this epistle we have seen Paul emphasize producing good works. This is one of the 'Pastoral Epistles' which instruct the pastor on how to lead God's people to mature spiritually. We can not mature spiritually without putting into practice the things that we are taught and doing so produces good works.

Please notice that our sentence starts with the word And. It is added to the prior sentences where Titus was instructed to care for the physical needs of traveling Christian workers and preachers. Thus, the let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses is instruction for the pastor to teach church members to do what Paul instructed Titus to do. Our sentence also tells us that they are to do this that they be not unfruitful. If people will not care for the physical needs of traveling Christian workers and preachers, who visit their church, they also will not care for those who are not at their church. Further, our sentence indicates that such a lack may make them unfruitful. While that may be argued because there are other ways to produce spiritual fruit, our sentence clearly tells us that this type of care does produce spiritual fruit. Which returns us to the prior possibility. If a person refuses to engage in this type of spiritual fruit production, do you really believe they will truly engage in other forms of spiritual fruit production?

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 14:31 about the word learn. The functional definition is: 'To gain knowledge of; to acquire knowledge or ideas of something before unknown. We learn the use of letters, the meaning of words and the principles of science. We learn things by instruction, by study, and by experience and observation. It is much easier to learn what is right, than to unlearn what is wrong'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S25 about the word unlearned.

We find forms of the word maintain only in: 1Kings 8:45; 1Kings 8:49; 1Kings 8:59; 1Chronicles 26:27; 2Chronicles 6:35; 2Chronicles 6:39; Job 13:15; Psalms 9:4; Psalms 16:5; Psalms 140:12; Titus 3:8 and Titus 3:14. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to hold, preserve or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present character or reputation. 2. to hold; to keep; not to lose or surrender; as, to maintain a place or post. 3. to continue; not to suffer to cease; as, to maintain a conversation. 4. to keep up; to uphold; to support the expense of; as, to maintain state or equipage. What maintains one vice would bring up two children. 5. to support with food, clothing and other conveniences; as, to maintain a family by trade or labor. 6. to support by intellectual powers, or by force of reason; as, to maintain an argument. 7. to support; to defend; to vindicate; to justify; to prove to be just; as, to maintain one's right or cause. 8. to support by assertion or argument; to affirm. In tragedy and satire, I maintain that this age and the last have excelled the ancients'.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The functional definition is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the note for about the word necessary. The functional definition is: 'That must be; that cannot be otherwise; indispensably requisite'.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S5 and 1Corinthians C9S10 about the word fruit:. The functional definition is: 'Production; that which is produced'. Please see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the fruit of righteousness.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'learn. Tit 3:8 maintain good works. or, profess honest trades. Ac 18:3; 20:35 (Gr) Eph 4:28; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8 that. Isa 61:3; Mt 7:19; 21:19; Lu 13:6-9; Joh 15:8,16; Ro 15:28; Php 1:11; 4:17; Col 1:10; Heb 6:6-12; 2Pe 1:8 exp: Mt 5:16'.

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C3-S11, (Verse 15) Paul's closing.

All that are with me salute thee.

Paul was not writing Titus with some private interpretation (see note on C3-S7 above) but was writing with the knowledge and agreement of those who were serving the Lord with Paul.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:21 for definitions of the word salutations which have explanations of the cultural applications and for links from other commentators. Please also see the note for Romans 16:16 for links to where that epistle uses the word salute. The functional definition is: ' to greet; to hail; to address with expressions of kind wishes'.

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C3-S12, (Verse 15) Paul's last words for the churches that Titus is leading and Paul's closing.

Greet them that love us in the faith.

We have seen that throughout the Bible, faith is an action word. We have seen throughout this epistle that them...in the faith produce good works and good works include Biblical love. those who are truly in the faith will love others who are in the faith. this closing remark is a reminder to encourage those people who are doing right.

Please see the note for Luke 20:45-47 about the word greetings. The functional definition for this word is: 'Addressing with kind wishes or expressions of joy'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'with me. Ro 16:21-24 Greet. Ro 16:1-20 love. Ga 5:6; Eph 6:23; 1Ti 1:5; Phm 1:5; 2Jo 1:1-2; 3Jo 1:1'.

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C3-S13, (Verse 15) Paul's last words for the churches that Titus is leading and Paul's closing.

Grace be with you all.

Christ is the role, of the Son of God, that brings spiritual maturity to the saved. While our good works can not earn God's grace, God does give grace to those who produce good works just like a parent rewards an obedient child while punishing a disobedient child.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Grace. 1Co 16:23; Eph 6:24; 2Ti 4:22; Heb 13:25 exp: 1Ti 6:21. General references. exp: Heb 13:25'.

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C3-S14, (Verse 15) Amen.

The Bible uses the word Amen when it wants to double what was said before and let us know that the prior sentence is doctrine that all believers are to believe. Please also see the Significant Gospel Events for this, and other, Minor Titles of the Son of God.

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God in Titus

of God:
servant	1:1
promise	1:2
commandment	1:3
steward	1:7
word	2:5
doctrine	2:10
grace	2:11
kindness and love	3:4
man-God:
know God	1:16
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing	2:13
believed in God	3:8
from God:
Grace, mercy, and peace	1:4
God's
elect	1:1
Godly	1:1

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Interpretive Study of Titus

Epistle theme: Basic Job Description of a Pastor.

God's Way to Study His Word:

Overview of Titus

Epistle theme: Basic Job Description of a Pastor.

Sentence Summary:

Chapter 1:

Chapter theme: Basic order in the church.

Chapter 2:

Chapter theme: How to live if you truly obey sound doctrine.

Chapter 3:

Chapter theme: Sound doctrine that should be seen in the lives of all saved people regardless of their circumstances of life.

Titus Chapter 1

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Titus Chapter 2

links to sentences in this chapter:

Sentence Summary:

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Titus Chapter 3

links to sentences in this chapter:

Sentence Summary:

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

God in Titus

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