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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | study | Titus | Hank | 174718 | ||
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2 | study | Titus | mark d seyler | 174719 | ||
Titus This letter is thought to have been written at about the same time as the Paul's first letter to Timothy, approx. AD 67. Titus means “Pleasing.” Following his conversion, Paul had spent 3 years in Arabia, then went to Jerusalem for 2 weeks, then went back to Tarsus for probibly about 5 years. Barnabas found Paul in Tarsus, and brought him to Antioch, to preach and minister in the church there, and it was apparently during this time that Titus came to the faith. We first see Titus as he travels to Jerusalem with Paul in about 44 AD, as Paul brings an offering to the church at Jerusalem (Gal 2). This was Paul's second recorded trip to Jerusalem. Titus was part of Paul's missionary team, and traveled extensively with Paul. We next see Titus eleven years later, in about 55 AD. Paul was in Macedonia, anxiously awaiting news from Corinth, and was uneasy until Titus came with his report (2 Cor. 2:13). Titus brought good news, Paul's correction had been well received (2 Cor. 7), and Paul sent Titus back with II Corinthians. Paul then met Titus in Corinth, and, after winter, they continued on to Jerusalem again together. Paul had probibily sent the first Corinthian letter with Titus, at a time he knew there were major problems in the church there, indicating that Paul had a lot of confidence in Titus. Paul wrote about Titus: 2 Cor 8:16 "But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you." 2 Cor 8:23 "Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ." 2 Cor 12:18 "I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?" Paul thought very well of Titus, and considered him to have the same heart and spirit for the church as Paul himself did. We know that Paul and Titus travelled further together, in vs. 5 Paul mentions leaving Titus in Crete. This would seem to be after Paul's house arrest in Rome. He had been released, and continued travelling, ministering to the church. It is possible that Paul had left Titus on Crete while Paul was on his way to Rome as a prisoner. That would be just like Paul, to be concerned with the care of the church even as he is on his way to appear before caeser, although this is not likely. Titus 3:12 shows Paul is free to come and go, and we know Paul’s first house arrest was for two years, a rather long time for Paul to not have written an intructional letter regarding Titus’ temporary appointment. Titus was to "set in order the things that were wanting", again, this shows that Paul considered Titus trustworthy, mature, and capable. This is a temporary appointment, as Titus is to set the church in order, and then rejoin Paul (3:12). We last hear of Titus in 2 Timothy 4:10, after he had rejoined Paul, then left again to go to Dalmatia. There is no further word on his fate. According to Halley's Bible Handbook and others, it is thought that he later returned to Crete as archbishop, and died at a nice old age. Intro to Titus Love in Christ, Mark |
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3 | study | Titus | mark d seyler | 174724 | ||
Titus The substance of this letter is behavior. This is a demonstration by example of what James says so much about in his letter, that faith will have works. This first chapter teaches how our behavior shows our character, and in so doing, shows how we are most likely to behave in the future. Behavior and character can be thought of as identical twins - they always look like each other. In the second chapter, good behavior incites good behavior. This is the nuts and bolts of the church edifying each other. In chapter three, behavior divides between the church and the world, and they must be divided! Faith without works is dead! Chapter One can be divided as follows: Verses 1 through 5 form Paul's introduction, his 'credentials', if you will (although Titus knew Paul well), and Paul's purpose for writing. Verses 6-9 speak of the characteristics of an elder or bishop. Verses 10-16 describe the ungodly, and show a godly response to them. 1 Paul, a servant of God, This describes Paul's view of his relationship with God. and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, Robertson's NT Word Pictures: According to the faith of God's elect (kata pistin eklektôn theou). Here kata expresses the aim of Paul's apostleship and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (before times eternal); Paul's apostleship is for the benefit of the faith of God's elect. His apostleship is to acknowledge the truth which comes from godliness. His apostleship is built upon the hope of eternal life. God, Who cannot lie (Nu 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie;) promised eternal life before the world began - to Whom??? This is literally "pro kronwn aiwnion" before times eternal, or of the ages. Many commentators and translations say this actually means "before dispensational times" i.e. "the giving of the Law." Both the Received Text and the Critical Text contain this wording. 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; When the times were right according to God, He manifested His Word through preaching. By commandment, God committed His word to Paul, to be preached. Hebrews tells us tha in these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son. Now, preaching about the Son is ordained. 4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For all the times Paul opens his letters with 'grace and peace', when he writes to Timothy and to Titus (his 'pastoral letters') he adds mercy. James 3:1 "Many teachers become not, my brethren, having known that greater judgment we shall receive," - perhaps he is thinking of this? And so I will add to all of you who teach God's Word - Mercy! 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: Paul had 'appointed' Titus a task. He is now writing to Titus basically to remind him of his instructions, and no doubt reinforcing all that he had told him. Consider Paul's letters, filled with instructions in great detail, and imagine being on an ocean journey with Paul, as he was planning on leaving you on this island to troubleshoot the various congregations, and appoint elders. I have every expectation there would have been night and day instruction. The terms bishop and elder are used interchangably in the New Testament. Here, Paul is essentially saying, "choose elders if any be blameless, because a bishop must be blameless". Bishop, episkopon, is simply, overseer. An elder, presbuteros, is one who is older. Paul's Credentials and Introduction Love in Christ, Mark |
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