Daily Writing

Sunday, 27 May 2018

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, Titus 1:7

In verse 1:5, Paul used the term presbuteros (from where we get “Presbyterian”), translated as “elders.” Here he uses the term episkopos (from where we get “Episcopal”), an overseer. It is then obvious that the two terms are being used synonymously here. The overseer is an elder. Paul says that such a man “must be blameless.” The Greek word signifies one who is not convictable when properly scrutinized, as if in a court of law. He is to be found without reproach, and is therefore suited to the job. As Paul says of this, “as a steward of God.” As his service is to the Lord, and as judgments about the Lord will be made based on His stewards, being blameless is a necessary qualification.

Next, he is not to be “self-willed.” This is a new word in Scripture, to be found only here and in 2 Peter 2:10. It signifies one who sets out to gratify himself; to be indulgent. Such a person is only interested in self, and would use the job to meet that end, not to glorify the Lord.

Paul then says that a bishop should not be “quick-tempered.” This is another new word, found only here in the Bible, orgilos. It signifies one who is “prone to anger and harbor resentment, nurturing long-standing anger (prejudice, bitterness)” (HELPS Word Studies). Such an overly angry and bitter soul is wholly unsuited to the job of a bishop.

Next, Paul says, “not given to wine.” The single Greek word so translated is used just twice – in 1 Timothy 3:3 and here in Titus 1:7. It signifies one addicted to wine; a drunk. It comes from two words indicating “near” and “wine.” Thus it is someone who is always consumed with drinking wine. It does not mean that a bishop (an elder) cannot drink. Total abstinence for such a position is never taught in Scripture.

Paul then proceeds to, “not violent.” This is again used only in 1 Timothy 3:3 and then here in Titus 1:7. It signifies a brawler or a contentious person. This person would be quarrelsome, and one who prefers using his fists to settle a disagreement. It would be wholly unsuited to the position of an overseer to always be jumping out of the pulpit and beating up everyone in the church who disagrees with him on doctrinal matters.

Paul’s words of this verse end with, “not greedy for money.” It is another rare word found only in 1 Timothy 3:8 and then again here. However, the principle is found in other verses of Paul’s instructions concerning church leadership. Those greedy for money have their priorities in the wrong place. If money is the objective in one’s life, then he will never be effective in the ministry. The heart must be devoted first, foremost, and with the greatest zeal to being an effective leader, not one concerned about getting rich off of the flock.

Life application: Those chosen for leadership within the church must be carefully evaluated, and they must be held to the highest of standards. The Lord’s name is upon them, as it is upon all Christians, but as representatives of the Lord in the church, these qualifications are especially necessary and important. Having said that, all Christians should strive to meet these high standards as we walk before the Lord.

Heavenly Father, You have laid out high and exacting standards which are expected of those in church leadership positions, but would You expect any less from any of Your people? Help us to consider this, and then to apply the highest standards of morality, fidelity, and uprightness to our own lives. May each of us be faithful representatives of the high and exalted Name which rests upon us. Amen.

Saturday, 26 May 2018

…if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. Titus 1:6

Paul now begins to define those things he is said to have “commanded” Titus in the previous verse. He starts with the qualifications of a bishop (see vs. 7) by saying, “if a man is blameless. The Greek word signifies one who is not convictable when properly scrutinized, as if in a court of law. He is found without reproach, and is therefore suited to the job.

Next, Paul says that he is to be “the husband of one wife.” Two major thoughts are to be derived from these words. The first is that Paul is speaking of males. In Christianity, women don’t have wives. A female is explicitly forbidden from such a position, as is stated in 1 Timothy 2:11-15. This then is a further, implicit, confirmation of that fact.

The second thought is that this is not speaking of having been married twice. If so, it would mean that a man in such a position whose wife died would not be allowed to remarry. This is rather speaking of polygamy. No polygamist was to be considered for such a position. What this implies, however, is that polygamy was something Paul does not forbid. And he could not. He is the Apostle to the Gentiles. His words have been carried to cultures throughout the world, many of which have practiced polygamy. There is no instruction forbidding this practice anywhere in Scripture, except for church leadership positions.

Further, polygamy was acceptable in Jewish religion and culture. He could not forbid what his own culture allowed. Rather, this prohibition is given to church leaders – no polygamy for them to be accepted. It immediately shows that Mormonism was founded on disobedience to the word of God, and its leaders were not “blameless” at all. Instead, they were false teachers who founded a false religion.

His next command is that bishops are to have “faithful children.” The word “faithful” here is probably better translated as “believing.” They are to be believers in the gospel, just as the parents are. If not believers, this would then set up obvious conflicts for them, as well as for others.

After this, he then says that the children are not to be “accused of dissipation.” It is a word used so far only in Ephesians 5:18, and which signifies “what can’t be saved” or “excess.” Thus it means a state of “spiritual wastefulness due to excess behavior and the dire consequences it brings” (HELPS Word Studies).

Finally, Paul says that the children should also not be accused of “insubordination.” This speaks of any who are not submissive, but who are rather disobedient, unruly, and unwilling to fall into line with God’s plans. They are uncooperative, have a defiant attitude towards authority, cannot be controlled, and are rebellious.

The idea here is that if a man cannot control his own family, he will then not be able to control order within the church. Thus it is an obvious disqualifying factor for ordination to such a position.

Life application: Children are a problem at times, and even the best parents may have children who stray. Paul is not looking for perfection in the appointment of church leaders, but he is looking to exclude those who have truly broken homes, beyond what any reasonable attempts to correct such failings would be considered as normal. Many sound church leaders have had children who have strayed, but who have later come back as great men of God, or fine ladies, within the church. However, for an initial ordination process, careful examination of the home life of the applicant must be very carefully considered.

Lord God, You are aware of how our children act, and how they will act in the future. You also know how our hearts mourn over those who stray into dangerous areas which only harm them. Give us wisdom in such times to know how to deal with these situations, and help us to do our very best to counsel them according to Your word. In the end, You have granted us all free will, and so help our counsel be the very best it can be so that their free will decisions will be based on what is right and proper. Amen.

Friday, 25 May 2018

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— Titus 1:5

The words, “For this reason,” are speaking of what follows, not what has been spoken. With his initial words of greeting complete, Paul now begins his instructions to Titus for the maintenance of the church. Paul says that it is for those things which will now be presented that “I left you in Crete.” Titus was given care of the church on Crete, one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is said to be approximately 250 miles long, 50 wide, and about 600 in circuit.

The Christian faith which had grown in Crete is not explained in the book of Acts. The only direct reference to it in regards to people of Crete is found in Acts 2:11, where some of those at Pentecost in Jerusalem were from Crete. But to say that they heard and believed, and then took the message back to Crete where it spread may be a stretch. They were Jews who may have gone back to the synagogue to share what they saw, but they would most likely have not have gone beyond their own people in evangelism. Further, having a Gentile convert over them seems unlikely as well.

It is probable that Paul evangelized there, and his time on Crete was simply included in a general statement without actually specifying the island as the spot where he was. However the word got to Crete, it had spread enough where churches had been established. It is this group which Titus had now been appointed over.

It is in this capacity that Paul then says, “that you should set in order the things that are lacking.” The word used by Paul for “set in order” is found only here in the Bible. It signifies to correct, or to further straighten. It is used in classical Greek writings concerning the setting of broken bones or even in the straightening of limbs which are crooked. Those things which were left unfinished in the establishment of the churches was to be taken care of by Titus. Further, he was to “appoint elders in every city.”

The word used signifies to appoint, ordain, make, or set. Thus Paul is indicating the appointment of men to a ministerial job. There is no note of how this was done, but it probably included the laying on of hands, as was noted in 1 Timothy 5:22 and elsewhere. Other than this, no specific directions in how to ordain are provided. Rather, only necessary qualifications are given. The fact that Paul mentions “every city” indicates that the Christian faith had grown extensively on Crete. It is a remarkable testimony to the accuracy of Paul’s words in Acts 28:28 –

“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”

Paul finishes the verse with the words, “as I commanded you.” He had given instructions to Titus previously, and he was now following up on those oral instructions with a written epistle to ensure that Titus would remember everything he had been told, and also as a witness to the churches that what Titus was instructing had come from the hand of an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Life application: In order to establish and properly run a church, the necessary instructions are found in the Bible. Nothing should be lacking from its requirements, and the only things that can be added are things which will not interfere with what the Bible instructs already. In other words, there is nothing wrong with having a TV in a church as long as it is used in line with what Scripture would already specify. Technology is neutral, but it should be used in accord with that which is already prescribed for a church in the word. Understanding this, there is great allowance for how churches can be run, and there is no “one size fits all” model which must be adhered to.

Lord God, thank You that there is such a wide variety of ways to run a church. You have provided the basic instructions for how a church is to be organized and structured, but beyond that, You have allowed us to form churches in accord with the times, cultures, and schedules of the people who gather to worship You. This is a real blessing as the nations can come before You in a variety of ways, and yet all be united because of the basic guidelines which bond us together in Christ. Help us then to hold fast to those basics, and to rejoice in our differences as well. Amen.

Thursday, 24 May 2018

To Titus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 1:4

Titus is the addressee of Paul’s final pastoral epistle. Not much is known about him, and he was never mentioned in the book of Acts. He is only referred to in a general way in the epistles. He is mentioned 8 times in 2 Corinthians, twice in Galatians, and once in 2 Timothy. The most pertinent personal information about him from any of these references is that he was an uncircumcised Greek, not a Jew. That is recorded in Galatians 2:3. Paul also calls him “my partner and fellow worker” in 2 Corinthians 8:23. He also calls him the more general term “brother” in 2 Corinthians 2:13.

Titus had been with Paul for quite some time, and was at one of the church’s important early gatherings though. In Galatians 2:1, we see that he was with Paul at the council in Jerusalem which is recorded in Acts 15, even though he was not specifically mentioned at that time.

In this greeting, Paul chooses yet another title for Titus by calling him, “a true son in our common faith.” The word translated here as “true” is the Greek work gnésios. It literally means, “born in wedlock.” Thus it signifies “legitimate,” or “genuine.” However, it came to carry an affectionate or endearing sense. Therefore, Paul’s words are not only identifying Titus as a true Christian, but as a true son of his because of their like-faith in Christ. This is the same term he used when speaking to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2. The bonds were as strong as if Titus was Paul’s own legitimate offspring. Paul personally took him under his wings, and Titus stayed with Paul while so many others at times had faithlessly abandoned him. The “common faith” spoken of here is faith in the finished and fully sufficient work of Christ.

Next, Paul writes, “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” It is a very similar greeting as that to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2. The only real difference is that there it says, “and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It is substantially the same greeting as he makes in all of his letters, but here, and in his other two pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy), he adds in the word “mercy.” It is widely speculated as to why he adds in the word “mercy” to the pastoral letters. The reason is probably because he knew being a pastor is a job which requires a great deal of mercy from God. It is a delicate, complicated, often frustrating, always tiring, and very sensitive job. Where those under a pastor often feel it necessary to heap trouble on him, mercy is all-the-more necessary from the other direction. Without this endowment from God, the job will quickly lay low the pastor of strongest faith and resolve.

Therefore, Paul petitions for these things – grace, mercy, and peace to be bestowed upon this beloved son in the faith. And the petition is “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” This is in line with the petition for grace, mercy, and peace. As a father would grant such things to his own son, so Paul knows that God will grant such things to His sons in the faith, a faith which is grounded in Christ Jesus. And as God is the Father of Jesus, the petition for grace, mercy, and peace will naturally flow from Jesus to the Father’s other true children as well. Finally, as Savior, it speaks of Jesus’ fully sufficient work which reconciles fallen man back to God, who is our heavenly Father. Paul’s salutation is a great example of a complete understanding of the workings of God towards His ministers who are also His sons by adoption.

Life application: Paul’s addition of mercy to the blessings upon Titus (and thus all pastors) is only as necessary as the congregation he leads fails to understand the nature of the job, and the ability of the pastor to effectively handle that job. Hundreds of pastors every week leave the pulpit due to the pressures of the job. The more mercy the congregation bestows upon their pastor, the less will be needed from above. In regards to the pastor, show a little mercy when he shows his humanity. After all, he is only human.

Lord God, help us to be attentive to the needs of our church pastors, just as they attempt to attend to our needs. And in the process, help us to not heap too much grief upon them as they attempt to sort through all of the difficult issues that come their way. May we be careful to not expect more of them than any other person, knowing that they are men dependent on You, just as we are also dependent on You. Amen.

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

…but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; Titus 1:3

Paul now builds upon the words of the previous verse. There he said that our hope in eternal life was, “promised before time began.” Now he says, “but has in due time manifested His word.” The translation is a bit lacking. The word “time” is not incorrect, but different words are used to express “time.” The Greek word kairos signifies specific opportune times; seasons. Further, the word as used in this verse is plural. It more rightly says, “but has in due seasons manifested His word.”

There are certain epochs of time which God has laid out, slowly and steadily revealing His plan of redemption for man. We term them “dispensations.” At a particular point in these seasons, God manifested His word, meaning the gospel – the good news – of Jesus Christ. And how did this occur? Paul says that God manifested His word “through preaching.” Here he uses the term en kērygmati, or “in preaching.” The words signify that the work of Jesus Christ – His fulfillment of the law along with His death, burial, and resurrection – would be brought forth to the world in a proclamation. He then acknowledges that he is a part of that process by saying, “which was committed to me.”

Paul is not claiming that he alone had the message committed to him, but that he is a part of the process. He was selected as one of the men who would transmit this message to the world. However, Paul’s commission was a unique one in that it came by a direct calling from the Lord in a heavenly vision. It was also a calling which was specifically to reveal the gospel to the Gentiles. This entire process is then, “according to the commandment of God our Savior.”

As noted, he was called by a heavenly vision. This is recorded in Acts 9. However, it is Jesus who called Him, and it is Jesus who is consistently termed “Savior” in the New Testament. Thus, these words are a direct reference to the deity of Christ. He is the Lord, and He is the second member of the Trinity. As this is so, then each of the apostles was called by God as well. Jesus called them; He is God; thus they were called by God. The entire process is of God, even before time began.

Paul’s words to Titus show us the importance of man to God. He created man, knowing he would fall. And yet, He still created him. And more, in the knowledge that man would fall, He also determined the entire redemptive process, including the work of Christ. This truth is seen in Revelation 13:8 where Jesus is called, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Life application: God knew that Christ would have to suffer and die to correct Adam’s fall, and yet He still created man. It shows the importance of man to God. The price for redemption is high, and yet He saw it worth paying the price. The words of David ring out as words which should be uttered by each person, “Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? (Psalm 144:3).

Lord God, when we consider that You created, knowing that we would fall, and knowing that Christ Jesus would need to come and die to pay our sin debt, it causes us to wonder what high value you have set on Your people. How could that price be worth paying? But Your word shows that You, in fact, paid it. What is man, that You would have been so mindful of him? How can such worth exist? Help us to act in a manner which will return glory to You for what You have done. Truly, You are the God of all glory. Amen.