COMMENTARY ON TITUS
LESSON NUMBER 7
“ Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 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.”
(Titus 1:8-9)
MORE HOLY REQUIREMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Lest Titus be distracted by the outward attractiveness of those charged with feeding and caring for the flock of God, and that he not be unduly influenced by personal friendship or acquaintance, Paul continues to define an elder, or bishop, according to the nature of the office. Because Titus will make these things known, they will also direct the hearts of those who are not yet suitable for this work, yet, in a wholesome way, “desire the office of a bishop” (1 Tim 3:1). The body of Christ, particularly on the local level (1 Cor 12:27), is to be kept aware of Divine requirements, both for the flock itself, and those who are leading it. All congregations are being led by someone. Some kind of agenda has been adopted, and there is some direction in which the people are being led. If the people themselves are not mature, then any person who is assertive will, in some way, assume the leadership. The danger of such a circumstance is seen in the fact that Christ Jesus alone is “the Head of the body, the church” (Col 1:18). His direction and ministry takes place through those who are holding to the Head (Col 2:19), availing themselves of His fellowship, and cleaving to Him with purpose of heart. Our text is providing some of the details of such an involvement. Apart from insightful fellowship with the Son of God, the proper leadership of the people of God is not even possible. In such a case, the church will inevitably be led astray. Not only is this fact generally unknown in church circles, it is contrary to the methodologies that have been put into place. Organizational skills, and principles that are adopted by the world, whether in government, business, or scholastic environs, are not adequate to bring proper functionality to the body of Christ. Note that the characteristics that are mentioned in our text could never be used to organize a successful business, government, or school. That is because these qualities assume the productive involvement of the elder with Christ Himself, and those with the body of the people.
WHAT THE BISHOP MUST BE . . .
Titus 1:8 “ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate.”
Paul is giving Titus a description of a man that is suited to feed and care for “the flock of God” (1 Pet 5:2), or “the church of God” (Acts 20:28). It is of interest that both of these descriptions relate the saints to God Himself. That is, the “elder,” or “bishop,” is caring for the people that have been “begotten of God” (1 John 5:18), or “born of God” (1 John 3:9). This is “the household of God” (Eph 2:19), among whom He resides, and over whom He presides. Even among men, if a family hires a baby-sitter, they take care to inform the individual of what is required in their household, and how to care for their children. Ordinarily, the babysitter would not be allowed to simply carry out their own will. Yet, when it comes to the “family” of God, which is named after Christ (Eph 3:14-15), there are professed leaders who care for the flock as though they were their own. The enormity of such a transgression cannot be overstated.
Paul has already affirmed what the one who cares for the flock must NOT be: “self-willed,” “soon angry,” “given to wine,” “a striker,” and “greedy of filthy lucre,” or unlawful gain (1:7). Just as surely as those cannot be in the man, the following must be found in him.
A LOVER OF HOSPITALITY. Other versions read “hospitable,” NKJV “opening his house freely to guests,” BBE “harberous,” GENEVA “enjoy having guests in his home,” NLT “a lover of strangers,” YLT and “hospitable (loving and a friend to believers, especially to strangers and foreigners).” AMPLIFIED Paul also told Timothy the bishop must be “given to hospitality” (1 Tim 3:2). The word “hospitality” comes a word meaning “generous to guests.” THAYER In English it means, “given to generous and cordial reception of guests.” WEBSTER Again, this is not to be a characteristic of elders alone, for all saints are admonished to be “given to hospitality” (Rom 12;13), to “use hospitality one to another without grudging,” and “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2). Some may need some improvement in this area, but the elder must be exemplary in it. He must find delight in this exercise of love and concern. This confirms his lack of self-centeredness, in that he considers his home as a stewardship. In my judgment, a person who is lacking in this quality has a serious deficiency that requires immediate attention.
A LOVER OF GOOD MEN. Other versions read, “lover of what is good,” NKJV and “a lover of goodness [of good people and good things].” AMPLIFIED The word from which this phrase is translated means “loving goodness.” THAYER Technically, this speaks of loving what is itself good, and accents the expression of the goodness, rather than a mere theoretical view of goodness. In this case, what is “good” is actually done, or expressed, by men. The love of such people confirms the bishop’s love of good itself, which endears the individual to him. From the standpoint of language, something that is “good” is upright, sound, wholesome, and advantageous. THAYER The phrase “lover of good men” correctly depicts the meaning of the Greek word, which means to love the expression of goodness, which comes through men. The men themselves are not the point, but the goodness that they express. The love for that goodness is thus confirmed in the valued treatment of those who express it. These are people whose expressions are upright, bringing spiritual advantage to men.
SOBER. Other versions read “sober-minded,” NKJV “sensible,” NASB “prudent,” NRSV and “sober-minded (sensible, discreet).” AMPLIFIED To be sober involves thinking in view of ultimate reality, not being distracted by appearance or wayward desires. A person who cannot think properly, or in strict harmony with the mind of the Lord, cannot possibly feed and care for the flock of God. Flawed thinking, or defective reasoning, is one of the worst of all handicaps. How could such a person carry out the responsibility of taking care of God’s household?
JUST. Other versions read “upright,” NIV “righteous,” CSB and “upright and fair-minded.” AMPLIFIED This has to do with being holy or godly, living in a manner that is in strict harmony with the revealed will of God. As used here, this has particularly to do with the execution of judgment or evaluation – doing so with godly fairness and equity, and not with partiality. It is the opposite of respecting men’s persons, and rendering preferential treatment upon the basis of some standard other than God’s Word. As used here it means “rendering to each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them.” THAYER That means that such an individual is not sectarian or one who judges according to appearance.
HOLY. Other versions read “devout,” NASB “pious,” DARBY and “a devout man and religiously correct.” AMPLIFIED This is a broader word than “just,” having more to do with character than judgment. Here, the whole of one’s life, even apart from the context of the flock of God, is being lived into the Lord in a very apparent and incontestible way.
TEMPERATE. Other versions read, “self-controlled,” NKJV “disciplined,” NIV and “keeping himself in hand.” AMPLIFIED This is the person who keeps under his body, bringing it into subjection (1 Cor 9:27). He does not yield to the impulses of the “old man,” but puts him off (Eph 4:22). The “temperate” man has put on “the whole armor of God” (Eph 6:11), and is not given to excesses.
HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORD
“ 1:9a Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught . . .”
The person who feeds and cares for the flock of God cannot be weak in the Word, neither knowing what it says or what it means. He must be a person who can handle the Word of God with spiritual expertise (2 Tim 2:15). He lives “by every Word of God” (Lk 4:4), and regularly obtains the benefits that are brought through it (2 Tim 3:16-17).
HOLDING FAST. Other versions read, “hold firmly,” NIV “have a firm grasp,” NRSV “clinging to,” DARBY “embracing,” DOUAY and “cleaveth unto.” TNT These are translated from a single word that means, “hold to firmly, cleave to, pay heed to,” THAYER “devoted to,” FRIBERG “cling to,” LIDDELL-SCOTT and “take an interest in, pay attention to.” GINGRICH This is the opposite of letting something “slip,” or get away from us (Heb 2:1). The person who holds fast does not forget, abandon, or allow other things to upstage the matter. He lives with a clear view of the thing that is being held. This refers to an acute consciousness or awareness of something.
THE FAITHFUL WORD. Other versions read, “trustworthy message” NIV “the word that is trustworthy,” NRSV “the sure word,” RSV and “sure and trustworthy Word of God.” AMPLIFIED The “faithful word” is embodied in the Scriptures, which have been given by the inspiration of God, and are profitable to accomplish Divine objectives (2 Tim 3:16-17). They are what testifies of Christ (John 5:39). They contain the promises of “the Gospel of God” (Rom 1:2), and are the means through which “patience and comfort” produce “hope” within the believer (Rom 15:4). Through them, the “mystery” that was “kept secret since the world began” is now made known (Rom 16:26). They alone make men “wise unto salvation,” enabling them to appropriate and maintain that salvation (2 Tim 3:15).
Particularly, “the faithful Word” equates to “a more sure word of prophecy” – an inspired declaration that has been fulfilled (2 Pet 1:19). That is the word that concerns Jesus Christ – the Gospel – and is the appointed means through which spiritual enlightenment comes, when the day dawns and the Day Star rises in the heart.
The person who is “holding fast the faithful Word” bases his reasoning upon it. He defaults to that Word for the final statement of the case. He repudiates anything that contradicts that Word, and views it as the premier characteristic of God Himself. This is done in strict accord with the express statement, “You have magnified Your word above all Your name” NKJV (Psa 138:2). Whatever the Word of God says on something is “the conclusion of the whole matter” (Eccl 12:13), and is so viewed by the individual who is holding it fast.
Holding fast the faithful Word involves the refusal to be “turned aside unto vain jangling” (1 Tim 1:6). Such a person is not “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men” (Eph 4:14). They are not deterred by the religious novelties of the day, popular books, or fads and trends that are being embraced by the uninformed. The person who cares for and feeds the flock of God has a confident grasp of the truth, rejoices in it, and is made stable by it. It is not possible for any other type of person to “take care of the church of God” (1 Tim 3:5).
AS HE HAS BEEN TAUGHT. Other versions read, “in accordance with the teaching,” NASB “as it has been taught,” NIV “according to the doctrine taught,” DARBY “according to doctrine,” GENEVA and “as he was taught it.” AMPLIFIED
It is true that the elder, or bishop, is one who has himself been taught. However that is not the point of this statement. Rather, the emphasis is placed upon what he was taught, not the fact that he was taught. The word “taught” is translated from a noun, not a verb (didach.n). It might be expressed as “the thing taught.” The immediate reference is to “the faithful word,” which is what he had been taught. The expression presumes that he was taught correctly with “the teaching,” or “the faithful word.”
In an institutional setting, the leader must adhere to the party, or sectarian, line. Thus a true Baptist must hold to the teaching that produces Baptists, the Christian Church to the teaching that harmonizes with their thrust, etc. However, “the faithful word” does not produce sectarian or denominational believers. That is not what it is designed to do, and that is not what it does. The person who really does hold fast the faithful word has no interest in the opinions of men. The Word itself, being pure milk, satisfies the soul, as well as providing the exclusive means of spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:2). It is not possible to promote growth in Christ by means of the word or wisdom of men. Further, if that assessment is true, then it is not possible to “feed the church of God” with something that is not itself found in the Word – “the faithful Word,” which is an unchanging and complete word.
In the final analysis, the “teaching” of reference is “the apostles’ doctrine.” They are the ones entrusted with the revelation of the mystery (Eph 3:4-5), and believers are noted for continuing in their word (Acts 2:42). Paul said that any purported Gospel that was at variance with what he preached was really no gospel at all (Gal 1:8-9). Therefore, a man who is ignorant and unlearned in the apostles’ doctrine cannot possibly feed the flock of God.
A RARE BUT ESSENTIAL QUALITY
1:9b “ . . . that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
The instructions concerning elders, or bishops, are not an end of themselves. These are not intended to be a listing of mere qualifications. The “office of a bishop” is, in fact, a “good work,” or “noble task,” NIV (1 Tim 3:1). By definition, a “work” is “that with which anyone is occupied,” THAYER “activity,” FRIBERG and “that which one undertakes to do, an enterprise, undertaking” STRONG’S And precisely what is that “work,” “activity,” or “undertaking?” It is feeding the flock of God, over which the Holy Spirit has made one an overseer (Acts 20:28). It is watching for the souls of the saved as those that “must give an account” (Heb 13:17). It is eagerly taking the oversight of “the flock of God,” feeding it in recognition of the fact that it is “God’s heritage” (1 Pet 5:2-3).
THAT HE MAY BE ABLE. Other versions read, “so that he can.” NIV Now, having been described as one who is holding firmly to the faithful word in strict accord with the apostles’ doctrine, what is the elder expected to do. What kind of ability is required of him? Whatever the activity is,. He must be able to do it! There is aptitude associated with what he is required to do. He cannot “feed the flock of God” and care for “God’s heritage” by simply reading the Bible to them. He must be able to do something with “the faithful word.” What is here declared will give us an idea of the kind of environment in which this work is carried out.
BY SOUND DOCTRINE. The means through which the elder carries out his work is not authority! His responsibility is not to cast the determining vote, for the office he holds is not an authoritarian one. In Christ Jesus “oversight” does not carry with it dictatorial rights. The means through which he rules, or takes the oversight, is “sound doctrine.” Other versions read, “right teaching,” BBE “sound teaching,” CSB “wholesome doctrine,” GENEVA “accurate teaching,” GWN “healthy teaching,” NET and “wholesome learning.” TNT
“Sound” doctrine is wholesome, without flaw, and with no fleshly admixture. It is doctrine that can hold up under Divine scrutiny, and is in strict accord with both the text and meaning of Scripture. It is teaching that is not defective or contaminated. There is no corruption in it, no guesswork, and no private interpretation.
“Doctrine” is teaching. It is the message that is being delivered and the point that is being made. “Doctrine” refers to emphasis, and the direction in which the teaching points. It is what drives the conclusion and causes what is said to hold together. “Doctrine” not only includes what is said, but why it is said. There is an ultimate objective that drives what is being said. “Sound doctrine” is expressed in God-approved words, and is within the context of His eternal purpose.
TO EXHORT. The ability to employ “sound doctrine” applies to exhortation. Exhorting is appealing to the people, beseeching them to act upon what they have heard. It has to do with encouraging them, or providing them with sound reasons why the stated action is required. For example, it is not enough to exhort young people to avoid fornication so they will not contract a deadly disease. It is totally out of order to admonish people to be faithful in their marriage and varied responsibilities in order to be happy and satisfied. True exhortation – and the flock of God requires exhortation – requires a firm grasp of the Word of God, and the ability to use it effectively. Exhortation assumes the interest of the person being exhorted, and, most of the time, that they are in Christ. It is an ordained means of awakening lethargic spirits, and moving people to act upon the truth.
AND TO CONVINCE THE GAINSAYERS. “Convince the gainsayer.” Other versions read, “convict those who contradict,” NKJV “refute those who contradict,” NASB “refute those who oppose it,” NIV “overcome the arguments of the doubters,” BBE and “refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it [showing the wayward their error].” AMPLIFIED Convincing the gainsayer involves the presentation of powerful arguments that cannot be successfully contradicted. This is casting down imaginations and high thoughts (2 Cor 10:4-5).
The “gainsayer” is one who speaks against the “sound doctrine,” contradicting and opposing it. It is one who declines to obey the doctrine, and refuses to submit himself to it. When Stephen was preaching in the synagogue, he encountered those who disputed with him – they were “gainsayers” (Acts 6:9). Paul encountered some in Antioch who were described as “contradicting and blaspheming” – they were “gainsayers” (Acts 13:45).
These texts confirm that the opposition of reference was public. It involved the presentation of erroneous teaching that would corrupt the minds of the flock, and lead them to erroneous conclusions. The elder must be able to confront such public contradictions with irrefutable “sound doctrine.” As used here, the word “convince” does not mean the opponent was persuaded that he was wrong. Even in the English language, the word “convince” has the following primary meaning: “To overcome by argument.” WEBSTER Here it means the opponent is not able to resist the wisdom delivered, or punch holes, so to speak, in the doctrine. The purpose of the overthrow of the contradiction is the protection and instruction of “the flock of God.”