The apostle Paul wrote this letter to his co-worker Titus, who was stationed on the island of Crete, likely in the mid-60s A.D., between his first imprisonment (Acts 28) and a later, unrecorded imprisonment. He refers to Titus as his “true son,” highlighting their close relationship. Since Paul had no biological children, this title reflects both his deep affection for Titus and his role as a mentor.
Letters like this, providing instructions to leaders in a specific region, were fairly common. Through Paul’s letter to Titus, we gain insight into one such correspondence, learning about the challenges the early church faced and the corrective measures Paul advised.
.. in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, – Titus 1:2 (NIV)
Paul affirms that the hope of eternal life in Jesus was promised before the beginning of time, countering the common belief that it was God’s response to mankind’s fall. In his letter, Paul primarily offers guidance on preserving order and discipline within the house churches of Crete, stressing the importance of appointing leaders with integrity and authority.
Appoint Elders
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. – Titus 1:5 (NIV)
Paul outlines the qualifications for selecting individuals who are deserving of the responsibilities and authority associated with being an elder. An elder should be blameless, faithful to his wife, and have well-behaved children who are not rebellious. As a steward of God’s household, he must avoid being arrogant, quick-tempered, drunken, violent, or greedy. Instead, he should be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, righteous, holy, and disciplined.
On paper, these traits seem to define a morally upright person in a worldly sense, but it’s important to remember that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances. Unfortunately, many of the same mistakes made in the past continue today, where individuals with false intentions are able to assume leadership roles because we can’t fully discern someone’s heart or motivations.
Paul and other elders, sharing a similar mindset, believe these standards should be the norm for any leader. The problem is that society often values outward signs of success, and this can make it easier for those with deceitful intentions to appear trustworthy. The fact that many successful politicians are skilled liars highlights how, when people demand the impossible, only liars can deliver.
If we rely too heavily on visible signs of success, we may mistakenly assume someone is good. Ultimately, God can work through anyone, but it’s critical not to let human judgment or personal agendas get in the way of listening to God. The story of Ananias in Acts 9:13-14 illustrates how people initially judged Saul by his actions, yet God had a different plan for him, proving that we often misjudge based on outward appearances.
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” – Acts 9:13-14 (NIV)
If we rely too heavily on visible signs of success, we may mistakenly assume someone is good. Ultimately, God can work through anyone, but it’s critical not to let human judgment or personal agendas get in the way of listening to God. The same happened to Ananias (Acts 9:13-14) when God told him to pray for Paul, the tormentor of God’s people. This illustrates how people initially judged Saul (Paul) by his actions, yet God had a different plan for him, proving that we often misjudge based on outward appearances.
Holding on to Doctrine
Paul also adds that an elder must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught. This is crucial so that the elder can encourage others through sound doctrine and effectively refute those who oppose it. By remaining steadfast in the truth, the elder can protect the integrity of the faith and guide others in the right direction.
When we hold on to the trustworthy message, can we be open to new revelations from God? This is a challenging question, especially when we are trained to teach the doctrine rather than the living truth. Often, when new revelations from God arise, people dismiss them quickly, arguing that they don’t align with established doctrine. This mindset prevents us from encouraging others to live according to God’s guidance and leading, as it focuses instead on adherence to doctrine.
Isn’t this the same mistake the Pharisees made? They were so focused on preserving doctrine that they missed the true message and the new things God was trying to reveal. Paul, however, focuses on the results rather than the rigid adherence to principles. He seems to suggest that if we choose righteous people who are rooted in sound doctrine, everything else will fall into place. This implies that while doctrine is important, it should not overshadow the ongoing work of God through His revelations, which may challenge our traditional understanding.
Corrective Measures
Paul warns Titus that there are many rebellious individuals, full of empty talk and deception, particularly among those of the circumcision group, which likely refers to the Jewish Cretans. These individuals are becoming stumbling blocks in the faith journey of the people of Crete, causing disruptions and confusion. Just as in the churches in Antioch and Galatia, Jewish Cretans are causing problems by insisting on following the law and binding others to it, rather than emphasizing the grace of the gospel.
They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. – Titus 1:11 (NIV)
It’s important to remember that “fire can’t fight fire, but water can.” In other words, responding to anger or hostility with more anger only fuels the conflict. Instead, we must strive to be the opposite of our antagonists—showing kindness, patience, and understanding to calm the situation and foster reconciliation. This approach reflects the teachings of Jesus, who modeled humility and love in the face of opposition.
As followers of Jesus, we should not seek to silence anyone, even if we disagree with them. Silencing someone can lead to resentment and hatred, as it shuts down their voice and prevents dialogue. When we suppress others, they are left with unresolved thoughts that may fester into negative feelings. Paul may have advised Titus to remain cautious with his Jewish critics, fearing that Titus might not have the oratory skills or the depth of knowledge about the laws to effectively defend his position against their accusations.
Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. – Titus 1:13-14 (NIV)
The early church was able to disregard the Jewish misinterpretation of God’s commands because they recognized that the old laws and traditions were being fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and a new covenant was established through Him. The Jewish leaders at the time had often misinterpreted or added to God’s commands, creating burdens that Jesus came to lift. In the same way, the early church had to discern what aligned with the true teachings of Jesus and what was a human addition.
Today, people often look to Paul’s letters for guidance because they offer a clear explanation of how the teachings of Jesus can be applied to life, especially in light of the new covenant. However, Paul’s writings were also contextual, addressing specific issues and challenges of his time, and some may appear to deviate from Jesus’ teachings when taken out of context.
Things become de facto until something better or improved comes along. As the early church was guided by the Holy Spirit to reevaluate and correct misinterpretations, we too need to remain in touch with God, seeking His guidance for understanding His will. God continually reveals deeper truths and better ways to live in alignment with His plans, which requires us to stay open to His leading and be willing to grow beyond previous understandings.
Doing Good or Being Good
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. – Titus 1:15-16 (NIV)
Our actions can deny Jesus when we claim to follow Him but fail to live according to His teachings. Even if we say we love God, our actions might show otherwise if we place conditions on His love or put emphasis on things like “you need to do X, Y, Z to get closer to God.” While God’s love for us is unconditional, we can inadvertently deny Jesus by making faith about rituals or rules instead of about genuine relationship and transformation.
For example, we might focus on actions like attending church or following external rituals, assuming that these things alone draw us closer to God. However, if these actions are not accompanied by a heart that is truly seeking God, they can become empty gestures. Jesus emphasized that it is not about outward appearances or legalistic actions, but about a heart that loves and follows Him.
When we prioritize external actions over internal change, we risk missing the essence of what Jesus came to offer: grace, mercy, and a life that reflects His love. In this way, our actions, even when outwardly “good,” can still deny the true spirit of following Jesus if they are not rooted in love and faith.
Discussion Questions
- Why does Paul insist Titus appoint blameless leaders? Can anyone be blameless?
- When we hold on to the trustworthy message, can we be open to new revelations from God?
- Why does Paul want Titus to silence the Jews in Crete? Can we ever silence anyone?
- Why was it acceptable for the early church to disregard the Jewish misinterpretation of God’s commands, yet today people are expected to strictly follow Paul’s letters, which also sometimes appear to deviate from Jesus’ teachings?
The Jordan Valley 
Reply