A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 5

Titus 2:9-10 Slaves and Masters

Advice to Servants and Masters

Titus 2:9-10 WEL [Tell] servants to be under the authority of their own masters, to be well pleasing in everything, not talking back [to them], 10 Not stealing [from them], but demonstrating complete trustworthiness, so as to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything,

Notes

B1 Ephesians 6:5-9 NLT Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. 9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

B2 Does God like slavery?

C1 Often atheists will make a statement (this link is dead. A link to another atheist site writing about slavery) as “Slavery remains a modern day travesty—a travesty with the Bible and the Koran on the wrong side of the issue. You would never think that owning people as slaves is immoral if you rely on the Bible or the Koran as your source of morality. If you need the Bible or Koran to tell you something as obvious as owning people as slaves is immoral, then you would never think that because neither the Bible nor the Koran says a word against slavery.

C2 Two types are spoken of in the Bible

D1 Voluntary—because of debt, etc.

D2 Involuntary—because of war, etc.

E1 Old Testament

F1 Cities that are not in the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 20)

G1 Offer peace. If they agree, they will serve you.

G2 Offer peace. If they reject, the men die and the others are spoils of war to enjoy, thus the people were to be treated kindly (see Jamieson, Faussett, Brown commentary).

F2 Cities in the land of Canaan. (Deuteronomy 20) All must die, because they have sinned so much, that God has judged them, and Israel was to carry out the sentence.

E2 New Testament. The saints lived in the Roman culture and were under Roman laws.

F1 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 GW Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn't bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it. 22 If the Lord called you when you were a slave, you are the Lord's free person. In the same way, if you were free when you were called, you are Christ's slave. 23 You were bought for a price. Don't become anyone's slaves.

F2 Ephesians 6:5 GW Slaves, obey your earthly masters with proper respect. Be as sincere as you are when you obey Christ.

C3 Old Testament rules for slaves (Jews could not be considered property)

D1 If one is a thief (to serve until restitution is paid in full): Exodus 22:2-3 NKJV If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. 3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

D2 If one sells himself because of debt (as in indentured servant):

E1 Leviticus 25:39-41 NKJV 'And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. 40 As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 And then he shall depart from you—he and his children with him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers.

E2 Deuteronomy 15:12-15 NKJV "If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; 14 you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD has blessed you with, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.

D3 War (possibly slaves until they die): 2 Samuel 12:29-31 NKJV So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah, fought against it, and took it. 30 Then he took their king's crown from his head. Its weight was a talent of gold, with precious stones. And it was set on David's head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

D4 If the master causes an injury to a slave (injured and dies, the slave owner will be given the death penalty. If the slave is injured and lives, the slave owner loses a worker. My understanding is that if injured, the slave is to be set free, see verses 26-27): Exodus 21:20-21 NKJV "And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.

D5 Master abuses slave (Slave goes free): Exodus 21:26-27 GNB "If someone hits his male or female slave in the eye and puts it out, he is to free the slave as payment for the eye. 27 If he knocks out a tooth, he is to free the slave as payment for the tooth.

D6 If slave runs away (They must not be returned to their master): Deuteronomy 23:15-16 GNB "If slaves run away from their owners and come to you for protection, do not send them back. 16 They may live in any of your towns that they choose, and you are not to treat them harshly.

D7 Slave traders are to receive the death penalty. Exodus 21:16 NKJV He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

C4 New Testament rules for slaves (remember that the Christians lived under the laws of the Roman Empire)

D1 Be calm and choose freedom if offered: 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 GW Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn't bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it. 22 If the Lord called you when you were a slave, you are the Lord's free person. In the same way, if you were free when you were called, you are Christ's slave. 23 You were bought for a price. Don't become anyone's slaves.

D2 Be doing the best work as you can: Ephesians 6:5 GW Slaves, obey your earthly masters with proper respect. Be as sincere as you are when you obey Christ.

D3 Paul’s appeal to Philemon to free Onesimus from slavery. See Philemon 1:8-21.

C4 The Bible teaches that freedom is better.

D1 Philemon and Onesimus

E1 Philemon, the slave owner, is a Christian.

E2 Paul makes an appeal to Philemon to free Onesimus, so he can help Paul.

E3 Paul does not condone Onesimus’ running away.

E4 We don’t know why Onesimus ran away.

D2 I cannot find the introduction to Philemon from the IVP Background Commentary NT (by Craig Keener) online. It’s introduction to the letter of Philemon is instructive on slavery, so if you have it is helpful to read.

C5 The Bible does not teach us to overthrow government. We are to fight a spiritual warfare, not physical. The Gospel is freeing, not enslaving. For example, see Some Initial Reflections on Slavery in the New Testament.

C6 Slavery is spoken against in Ephesians 6:9 NLT Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

D1 Slaves in the Roman Empire had masters.

D2 These masters also had a master in heaven—God Himself. Paul reminds the slave owners that they are slaves, too.

D3 God has no favorites. He treats all people with justice and equity.

C7 God demands kindness, gentleness, love

D1 It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Is there no showing of kindness and compassion, then that master is going to hell. He is a fake. Galatians 5:22 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

D2 A master must show gentleness. No gentleness seen? They are fake. God will punish.

E1 Colossians 3:12 NLT Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

E2 1 Timothy 6:11 NLT But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

D3 We are to love even our enemies. Surely, these slaves were NOT their enemies; they were to be loved.

E1 Luke 6:35 NLT Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

E2 The actions of love show that no one can treat any person any other way except God’s way. The actions are love are in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty. 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends…

D4 God shows goodness to all, so should we. Slavery is wrong. It is not God’s way of doing things. Slave owners are doing evil. Acts 14:16-17 NLT In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts."

D5 God wants freedom, not slavery:

E1 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

E2 Galatians 4:5 NLT God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

E3 1 Timothy 2:6 NLT He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

E4 1 Peter 2:16 NLT For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.

D6 God sent His Son, Jesus, to free slaves:

E1 Prophesied: Isaiah 61:1 CSB The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners;

E2 Fulfilled: Luke 4:18-19 WEL The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, restoring sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 19 “And to announce the favorable year of the Lord.”

C8 William Wilberforce (1759-1833)

D1 Fought to abolish slavery in the British Empire due to Christian principles.

D2 Two links for studying him.

E1 Short biography= http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wilberforce_william.shtml

E1 Short biography and bibliography= http://www.brycchancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce.htm

C9 Slavery and its statistics can be found here: EPCAT USA

B3 Some thoughts on the slavery that is most dangerous

C1 Some verses

D1 Romans 6:20 LEB For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with respect to righteousness.

D2 John 8:34 NKJV Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

D3 Sin is an addiction. Sin controls us. Romans 6:16 NLT Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

C2 The end result of this slavery leads to death just like most addictions:

D1 Romans 6:23 NKJV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

D2 Galatians 3:22 NLT But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

C3 The rescue from this addiction, slavery, to sin is only through grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. No one can do this themselves.

D1 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

D2 1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

D3 Acts 4:12 NLT There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

B4 Application

C1 It is not God’s will for people to be slaves. God does not have that kind of leadership. He is a shepherd, but most of those with authority are slave owner style of leadership.

D1 John 10:11 NKJV I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

D2 Matthew 20:25 NLT But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

C2 Sin is addictive. All humans are addicted to sin.

C3 Jesus died for us to be free from the addiction to sin: 1 Timothy 2:6 NLT He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

C4 We are to use our body to honor God: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

C5 Jesus didn’t live and die to change the government, but if all were real Christians, society and government would change.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 4

Chapter 2

Titus 2:1-8 Instructions for both older and younger believers

Advice to Older Men

1 But you are to talk about things which are appropriate for sound doctrine.

2 The older men are to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, being sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

Advice to Older Women

3 The elder women in the same way [are to be] in behavior what is consistent with holiness, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,

4 So that they teach the younger women to be clear headed, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be self-controlled, chaste, taking care of the family, good, under authority to their own husbands, so that the Word of God is not reviled.

Advice to Young Men

6 Likewise, strongly encourage the young men to be sensible.

7 In everything showing yourself to be a model of good works, and in teaching [using] integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [and]

8 Sound words that can’t be condemned, so that one who is antagonistic may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about you.

Notes

B1 Older men

C1 This is hard to identify but probably would include the age group where children are either grown up or nearly so.

C2 This age group is to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, being sound in faith, love, and perseverance

D1 Because of Titus 2:3 and Titus 1:7, it is understood to be referring to not addicted to alcohol.

E1 Alcohol effects decision making and remembering the next day what decision was made. This can be a disaster in many cases.

E2 Alcohol effects judgment.

E3 Alcohol effects body functions including balance.

E4 For more info see Long term effects of alcohol on the brain.

D2 Dignified refers to acting sensible, being of good character, respectable, etc. This is an attitude that leads to godly character. We need to maintain a good reputation.

D3 Self-controlled rather than impulsive. It has the ideas of remaining calm, keeping one’s composure, having patience and restraint.

D4 Being of sound faith. This would be knowing what the Christian faith is and able to defend it. It is a pure faith, rather than being mixed with error. We need to study and read the Bible.

D5 Love

E1 This is agape love.

E2 With some older men there is the tendency to rest from our labors.

E3 The labor of love must continue. This is love of God, love of family, love of the believers, and love of unbelievers (in order to preach the Gospel).

E4 What the older men have learned by living (experience both unpleasant and pleasant) needs to be passed on to younger people. Love is the motive to do this.

E5 This love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not do of ourselves. Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

D6 Perseverance

E1 Many understand this to refer to tribulations of persecution and temptation.

E2 Romans 12:12 CSB Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

E3 This should be the goal of all old male believers: Luke 8:15 NLT And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

E4 For believers, let us remind ourselves: Romans 2:6-7 NIV God "will repay each person according to what they have done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

B2 Older women

C1 Consistent

C2 Not slanderers

C3 Not enslaved to alcohol

C4 Teachers of what is good, especially to the younger women to be

D1 Clear headed

D2 Love husbands

D3 Love children

D4 Self-controlled

D5 Chaste

D6 Care givers of the family

D7 Under authority of husbands

D8 All has a purpose to honor God, His ways, His kingdom, and His gospel.

D9 People need to know God’s way is best in everything

C5 The role of experience cannot be underestimated. These older women have much experience in life from marriage to child bearing to child raising.

C6 They can be present in the house to physically help. For example, they can help manage the household after the baby is born. Mom needs time to recover and a new born typically needs more attention from mom. She can also help taking care the chores and helping the other children for a time.

C7 I’m sure most older women already know these things and certainly much better than I.

C8 The list given by Paul here can surely be applied to all believers.

C9 Certainly this verse can be applied to anyone: Proverbs 31:26 NLT When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

B3 Younger men

C1 The need for younger men to be sensible

C2 The need for the pastor, especially younger pastors, and in particular Titus. Living, teaching, preaching in public or private to be

D1 An godly example, thus, be consistent in what you say and what you do.

D2 Your teaching (Titus) in speaking, showing, demonstrating, etc. is to be

E1 Truth

E2 Serious instead of everything being a big joke

E3 Honest and not changeable to pressure. Being steadfast and true.

E4 People may disagree with the teaching, but they cannot condemn the teaching when held to the Scriptural standards.

E5 In life and teaching be blameless both publicly and privately. This would include many things including handling of money, counseling, delegating, answering questions from seekers, doubters, or the curious, where they would go and what they do in public, who their best friends are, the music they listen to, how they handle complaints, disagreements, hurts, etc.

B4 Dictionary of Bible Themes by Manser gives a topical listing with many verses on The Believers Character. It would be good for all believers to study.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 3

Titus 1:10-16 Rebuke

Titus 1:10-16 WEL For there are many unruly, mouthy talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who sabotage whole families teaching things which they should not for the sake of shameful personal profit. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own said, “Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, and lazy bellies.” 13 This witness is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 Not paying attention to Jewish fables and laws from men that turn [people] from the truth. 15 To the pure everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, and even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God, but in [their] actions they disown him. They are repulsive, disobedient, and useless for any good work.

Notes

B1 False teachers in Crete

C1 Described as

D1 Unruly

E1 The Greek word is ἀνυπότακτος anypótaktos. It means uncontrollable and disobedient. This word is also used to describe the unruly children in Titus 1:6.

E2 They are just like their ancestors: Hosea 7:13 NLT What sorrow awaits those who have deserted me! Let them die, for they have rebelled against me. I wanted to redeem them, but they have told lies about me.

E3 This group is described: Acts 15:1 NLT While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: "Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved."

E4 They believe their own teaching, but they will not believe the teaching of the Lord Jesus despite His 3.5 years of teaching.

E5 It is impossible to reason with such people who believe they are right and you are wrong, no matter how much you show that they are wrong. They also like to use any method possible to win an argument.

D2 Mouthy

E1 They have a lot to say, but it is only to impress people, so they can enslave them to their false religion.

E2 The Greek word for mouthy means they speak a lot of words but actually communicate little.

E3 They same type exist day using reams of paper to prove their interpretation some one word is correct.

E4 Romans 16:18 CSB because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

D3 Deceivers

E1 Instead of truth (reality), they express their personal opinion as truth.

E2 They lie.

E3 Some other verses describing these deceivers:

F1 Matthew 24:24 CSB For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

F2 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 CSB For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.

F3 2 Peter 2:18 CSB For by uttering boastful, empty words, they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery, people who have barely escaped from those who live in error.

D4 The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges comments on this verse: many unruly] Add men, leaving the pair of attributes to go together, as in the Pauline usage, empty talkers and deceivers of the mind. Both compounds occur only here in N.T.; but the substantive, meaning vaniloquentia, has occurred 1Ti 1:6, where the meaning is defined in what follows, ‘though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm;’ and the verb, meaning seducit, is used Gal 6:3 and defined by the context ‘if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing.’ Peile translates ‘self-deceivers,’ i.e. visionary enthusiasts, comparing Isa 44:20 and Jas 1:26.

D5 Ignatius (Fathers Volume 1.04.04 Ignatius Epistle to the Trallians Chapter 6) has this comment about false teachers:

I therefore, yet not I, out the love of Jesus Christ, “entreat you that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.” (1Co 1:10) For there are some vain talkers (Tit 1:10) and deceivers, not Christians, but Christ-betrayers,24 bearing about the name of Christ in deceit, and “corrupting the word” (2Co 2:17) of the Gospel; while they intermix the poison of their deceit with their persuasive talk,26 as if they mingled aconite with sweet wine, that so he who drinks, being deceived in his taste by the very great sweetness of the draught, may incautiously meet with his death. One of the ancients gives us this advice, “Let no man be called good who mixes good with evil.”29 For they speak of Christ, not that they may preach Christ, but that they may reject Christ; and they speak30 of the law, not that they may establish the law, but that they may proclaim things contrary to it. For they alienate Christ from the Father, and the law from Christ. They also calumniate His being born of the Virgin; they are ashamed of His cross; they deny His passion; and they do not believe His resurrection. They introduce God as a Being unknown; they suppose Christ to be unbegotten; and as to the Spirit, they do not admit that He exists. Some of them say that the Son is a mere man, and that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are but the same person, and that the creation is the work of God, not by Christ, but by some other strange power.

D6 Schaff writes (Schaff History 1/Vol 1 Chap 12 § 097-099):

The question arises, which of the many types of this many-sided error is opposed? Evidently the Judaizing type, which resembled that at Colossae, but was more advanced and malignant, and hence is more sternly denounced. The heretics were of “the circumcision” (Tit 1:10); they are called “teachers of the law” (νομοδιδάσκαλοι, 1Ti 1:7, the very reverse of antinomians), “given to Jewish fables” (Ἰουδαΐκοί μῦθοι, Tit 1:14), and “disputes connected with the law” (μάχαι νομικαί, Tit 3:9), and fond of foolish and ignorant questionings (2Ti 2:23). They were, moreover, extravagant ascetics, like the Essenes, forbidding to marry and abstaining from meat (1Ti 4:3, 1Ti 4:8; Tit 1:14, Tit 1:15). They denied the resurrection and overthrew the faith of some (2Ti 2:18).

C2 Verse 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who sabotage whole families teaching things which they should not for the sake of shameful personal profit.

D1 This is the effect they are having on the church: Whose mouths must be stopped, who sabotage whole families teaching things which they should not for the sake of shameful personal profit.

D2 Selfish profit as money, fame, power, influence, followers, control, abuse, etc.

D3 The Greek words have the idea of shameful (dishonorable and filthy) personal profit (usually in the sense of money).

C3 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own said, “Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, and lazy bellies.” 13 This witness is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 Not paying attention to Jewish fables and laws from men that turn [people] from the truth.

D1 These are ungodly character traits.

D2 Since they are ungodly, these false teachers must be rebuked.

D3 False teachers don’t like rebuke when caught in something. They cover-up. They excuse. They lie.

D4 God hates liars: Proverbs 12:22 NET The LORD abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.

D5 God identifies those who lie and doing the devil’s work. The devil’s chief character trait is lying: John 8:43-47 NET Why don't you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching. You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me. Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God's words. You don't listen and respond, because you don't belong to God.

D6 It is not good for a person to be a liar: Proverbs 6:16-19 NET There are six things that the LORD hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord among family members.

D7 The fearful thing here is their lies sound so convincing that people are turning away from the truth to follow the lie. We must know truth (reality). The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.

C4 15 To the pure everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, and even their mind and conscience is defiled.

D1 Pure according to God’s standard. Pure as God is pure. It is the character of God’s kingdom.

D2 Lies contaminate and defile. To a Jew outward defilement is abhorred but the inward defilement is much, much worse. Let us be careful what we think and do. Matthew 15:2, 11, 14, 17-20 NET Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat." ... What defiles a person is not what goes into the mouth; it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person." ... Leave them! They are blind guides. If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit." ... Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and then passes out into the sewer? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a person. For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are the things that defile a person; it is not eating with unwashed hands that defiles a person."

D3 It affects the mind by addiction to lying, and affects the conscience by searing it, that is, hardening it.

D4 We are to be renewed to truth, not lies: Romans 12:1-2 NET Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice - alive, holy, and pleasing to God - which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God - what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

C5 16 They profess that they know God, but in [their] actions they disown him. They are repulsive, disobedient, and useless for any good work.

D1 What one says is important, but we need to watch what one does.

D2 What a person does is what they really believe. (James 2:14-26).

D3 God is not fooled. What we do will be judged. Galatians 6:7-8 GW Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you'll harvest. 8 If you plant in the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life.

D4 They do not know God (His character, His ways, His fellowship, His salvation, etc.). They show that they do not know God by what they do, not what they say. They disown God (apostates), are repulsive (to God and Christians), disobedient (to the rules of Jesus Christ), and thus are useless to all people.

C6 F. B. Meyer commenting on this verse writes:

The Judaizing teachers, who insisted that men must become Jews before they could be Christians, were always on Paul’s heels, visiting his churches and diverting his converts from the simplicity of the faith. Their motive in many cases was very largely self-aggrandizement. Such men were to be resisted to the uttermost and sharply rebuked. Where the work of grace is really commenced in the heart, a sharp rebuke will often turn the soul back to God. The gardener must not hesitate to use a pruning-knife, if the well-being of the tree is at stake.

Note the marvelous power we possess of viewing things in the light or gloom cast upon them from our own temperament. We see life and the world in a glass colored from within. Oh, that we might possess that pure and untarnished nature that passes through the world like a beam of sunshine, irradiating all but contaminated by none! The true test of the knowledge of God is a holy life. These act and react. The better you know God, the more you will resemble Him; compare Psa 111:1-10; Psa 112:1-10. The more you are like God, the better you will know Him. [Emphasis is mine]

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 2

Titus 1:5-9 Church leaders

Titus 1:5-9 WEL I left you in Crete for this reason, that you should finish organizing and appoint elders in every city as I directed you. 6 So, if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of a riotous or unruly life. 7 For an overseer must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not consumed by money. 8 Instead, [he needs to be] a lover of hospitality, of what is good, reasonable, just, and holy, having self-control, 9 Being committed to the faithful word just as he has been taught, that he may be able with sound doctrine to plead and convince those who actively disagree with [the truth],

Notes

B1 Titus was left in Crete to finishing organizing the church and appointing the church leaders.

B2 The 16 qualifications of elders (pastors, overseers, bishops, etc.) Also see 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

C1 Blameless

D1 Blameless does not mean sinless. No one is sinless in this life, except Jesus Christ.

E1 Jesus was, is, and always will be without sin in thoughts, desires, words, or deeds: Hebrews 4:15 CSB For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

E2 1 Peter 2:22 NLT He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.

D2 Blameless is not committing nor repeatedly committing sin knowingly:

E1 Psalm 19:13 NET Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins; do not allow such sins to control me. Then I will be blameless, and innocent of blatant rebellion.

E2 Proverbs 12:2 NLT The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

C2 One wife. Most understand this to be one wife at a time. He is faithful to his wife. This is not referring to marriage after the spouse’s death or someone being disqualified because they are not married. But then, not all agree with this. Some understand this passage to teach that a qualified man must be married, faithfully to one woman, and have at least 2 children (the Greek word for children, τεκνα, is plural). This may have been preferred but hardly correct as Paul was unmarried.

C3 Faithful children

D1 Some understand the word faithful as the word for believing, so they are believers. Others understand the word to be faithful, which is the way I understand it.

D2 Two scenarios

E1 A man becomes a believer at age 12. He studies the Scriptures and doctrine faithfully. He is recognized as having the gift of pastor/teacher when he is 22. He marries at 23. He and his wife have 5 children. One is not a believer. Is this pastor required to resign and never preach again?

E2 A man who is qualified Scripturally as a pastor serves God faithfully, but one on his children leave the faith when they are in the 20’s. Is this pastor required to resign and never pastor again?

E3 There is much disagreement about this. I opt that Paul is speaking that the children be faithful as a character trait, not necessary all being believers.

E4 See a discussion of this here (PDF) and here. One could consult many other places, too.

C4 Does not live a riotous or unruly lifestyle

D1 Most understand this trait as referring to the children.

D2 This would be children who were unrestrained, out of control, having no self-control, doing whatever they please and what they desire, addicted to pleasure, etc. Having children like this would disqualify a man from being a church leader.

C5 Not self-willed

D1 Their attitude is that they are supreme. No one can question them. No one can correct them. They are right, and we are wrong.

D2 We have all met people like this. They are difficult to converse with, teach, show the errors of their thinking. We can appeal to them in mercies of Jesus, and they will not answer our questions. They only make demands.

D3 This is a person who commits pastoral abuse.

D4 Some articles. I do not necessarily endorse these writers but personally feel their points are well founded. Eight Signs of Spiritual Abuse by Rick Thomas. 10 Ways to Spot Spiritual Abuse by Mary DeMuth.

D5 This type of person is a controller, not a leader. They lead by force, power, and threat of pain. God leads by example, love, truth, etc. as I’ve written before on the two styles of leadership.

C6 Not easily angered

D1 Anger is a character trait of God. Anger is not necessarily a sin. The Lord Jesus showed anger.

E1 Mark 3:5 CSB After looking around at them with anger, he was grieved at the hardness of their hearts and told the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

F1 Wilbur Pickering comments: They had no compassion, no agape; their only concern was to preserve their system, their position and authority.

F2 In Robertson’s Word Pictures, Dr. Robertson comments: Mark has a good deal to say about the looks of Jesus with this word (Mar 3:5, Mar 3:34; Mar 5:37; Mar 9:8; Mar 10:23; Mar 11:11) as here. So Luke only once, Luk 6:10. The eyes of Jesus swept the room all round and each rabbinical hypocrite felt the cut of that condemnatory glance. This indignant anger was not inconsistent with the love and pity of Jesus. Murder was in their hearts and Jesus knew it. Anger against wrong as wrong is a sign of moral health (Gould).

E2 God’s anger is righteous, so as humans, we must be careful.

E3 Ephesians 4:26 WEL When you are angry, do not sin. Don’t let the sun set on your anger.

D2 I understand the anger written about in our passage is the anger of abuse. It is an anger used to control, to shame, to manipulate.

D3 An example of this anger is John 9:34 GW The Jews answered him, "You were born full of sin. Do you think you can teach us?" Then they threw him out of the synagogue.

C7 Not given to wine

D1 It is not wine that Paul writes against; he writes against the misuse of wine.

D2 Addiction is evil.

D3 If the wine controls the person, then the person is disqualified.

D4 We, as Christians, are to find our joy, help, comfort God’s way, not the way of alcohol.

D5 Alcohol destroys judgment, discernment, self-control, etc.

D6 Alcohol was forbidden kings and priests.

E1 Isaiah 28:7 NIV And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.

E2 Leviticus 10:9-10 NIV You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,

E3 Proverbs 31:4-5 NLT It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

C8 Not violent

D1 This is the use of force to control whether by words, physical violence, or both.

D2 Psalm 11:5 NIV The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

C9 Not consumed by money

D1 Consider the number of “teachers” on the conference circuit who promote each others books.

D2 Fleecing the flock in frequent appeals for money, fake promises of God’s blessings for money, or even stealing it.

D3 Psalm 11:5 NIV The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

C10 Lover of hospitality

D1 This is especially true for traveling church workers.

D2 This is in meeting the needs of believers primarily.

D3 This is if we are able. Some might say they are not able as an excuse even though they are able.

C11 Loves what is good

D1 Good is defined by God.

D2 Mark 10:18 NET Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

D3 We read of God pronouncing His creation as good in Genesis 1:31

D4 The Lord Jesus showed us by example: John 10:32 NET Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?"

C12 Good as above. The church not only must love good but do and be good, as God defines good, which would be one in compliance with His rules and beliefs.

C13 Sober, reasonable

D1 This has the idea of thinking and living in moderation.

D2 This is an attitude.

D3 He doesn’t go to extremes in eating, drinking, work, etc.

D4 It is translated as sensible, prudent, discreet, temperate, and of a sound mind.

C14 Just

D1 Treats all evenly and without bias or prejudice.

D2 Making decisions without favoritism.

D3 Doesn’t have any “yes” men whose loyalty is to the church leader instead of God.

D4 Being just like this would be in compliance with God’s rules and desires.

C15 Holy

D1 Even though we all are wicked, after salvation we are to be holy as God is holy. This is God’s standard.

D2 Someone who lives their life avoiding or deliberately disobeying God is a failure and are not qualified.

D3 There are leaders who when confronted with error will stonewall, cover-up, or abuse. They have completely failed this command for leaders and failed all of us.

C16 Self-control

D1 We need the grace of God to help, so we can show restraint and control.

D2 An out of control church leader is not favored by anyone.

D3 It is being self-disciplined. Someone like this doesn’t need someone to constantly prod them to do their job, to study, to encourage, etc. Having self-control would include self-discipline in Bible study, prayer, and service to God first, then wife, then children, then believers, then those outside the church.

D4 1 Corinthians 9:24 CSB Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.

D5 Hebrews 12:1 CSB Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

C17 Committed to the faith

D1 This is commitment to the Gospel as taught by our Lord Jesus. This is commitment to His teaching. This is commitment to the style of life taught in the New Testament.

D2 It deals with a worldview that is in align with God’s worldview.

C18 Knows apologetics

D1 The church leader must be able to gently defend the faith.

D2 To defend the faith, one must know it. This entails reading and studying the Bible primarily but also theology, philosophy, and other apologists. One doesn’t need to have a doctorate in these areas, just a basic understanding.

D3 Studying the truth is more important than studying error.

D4 The Bible must be interpreted in its plain, normal sense. God is omniscient, omnisapient, and knows how to communicate perfectly. He does not deceive or deliberately have some hidden meaning that only those in the higher class of religion can understand.

D5 All believers need to be taught, so all must defend the faith. We do not defend it physically; we defend it spiritually. 1 Peter 3:15-16 CSB but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.

D6 We see Apollos doing this: Acts 18:28 CSB For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.