Titus 1

Titus 1:1

Paul, after a proper introduction, reminds Titus of the special reasons for which he left him in Crete; and directs him on what principles he should act in the ordination of those Christian ministers who were to take the oversight of particular churches. Tit. I. 1—9.

TITUS I. 1.

PAUL, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, prom-

TITUS I. 1.

THIS epistle is written by Paul, a servant of the one living and true God, and an apostle of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the advancement of the faithᵃ of God’s chosen people, and to promote the acknowledgment of the truth of the gospel; that Divine doctrine which [is] according to godliness, and has the greatest tendency to promote the interest of the true religion in all its branches; Whilst it exhibits, in so clear a manner, the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, nor deceive any of his crea-

ᵃ For the faith, &c] This is the proper his labours tended. Compare 1 Tim. vi: signification of exi vis in this connection, which expresses the end to which 3. See. Raph. ex Xen. in loc.

Paul declares his commission to preach the

tures, hath not only, as under the former dispensation, intimated to us, but expressly promised to all believers, in consequence of those great engagements into which he entered with his Son, under the character of our Surety and Redeemer, before the world began, or time was divided into these revolving periods which measure out its succeeding ages. The plan was distinctly drawn in his all comprehensive mind; but he hath now manifested it, in his own due and well chosen time, by his word; which administers to us that glorious hope, by the public preaching and declaration of it, with which I was intrusted, according to the commandment and sovereign pleasure of God our Saviour. And I address this epistle to Titus, [my] genuine son, according to the tenor of the common faith, even that Christian faith to which I had the happiness of converting thee: to whom, with an affection becoming a father in Christ, I unfeignedly wish every desirable blessing, even grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour; by whom we obtain an interest in him, and hope for that eternal salvation from him, with which no inheritance on earth is by any means worthy to be compared.

For this cause I left thee in Crete, though I could have been so heartily glad of thy company in my travels, that thou mightest set in order the things which were deficient there, as I could not stay long enough myself to reduce them into so regular a state as I could have wished; and particularly, that thou mightest ordain elders in every city in which Christian churches are planted, to whom the stated oversight of

Before the world began.] It seems more natural to refer this to the promise made by the Father to Christ, in the covenant of redemption, than, with Mr. Rymer, to explain it of the promise made, quickly after the creation, to our fallen parents; Gen. iii. 15. See Rymer of Rev. Rel. p. 49.

Ordain elders in every city.] There were an hundred cities, in the island of Crete, though its dimensions were not

very large; but it is well known, that every considerable town was called a city by the ancients. It is most likely that some congregations were settled under proper ministers while Paul was among them; but there were others not so provided, and the interposition of so wise and good a man as Titus, probably honoured with such extraordinary gifts, would, no doubt, have great weight on such an occasion.

must be blameless, as the steward of God, &c.

them may be committed in the Lord, as I gave thee in charge when I parted with thee.

The office is so very important, that I hope thou wilt be proportionably careful as to the character of the persons who are to be invested with it; and if any one is thought of in that view, let it be one who is known to be blameless in his conduct, the husband of only one wife, to whom he entirely confines himself, neither allowing of polygamy, or divorce, or an irregular commerce with any other women; and let him be one who hath believing children,⁴ if he have any that are grown up, not accused of any kind of debauchery, or ungovernable in their temper and disposition, which would render them a reproach rather than an honour to the Christian name. I must insist on a care in this respect, for it is evident, that the disorders of children often reflect a dishonour on their parents, and indeed arise from something amiss in them: but a bishop, or overseer of a Christian congregation, which the elder we speak of, by virtue of his office, is, must necessarily be blameless,⁵ as he is, in that society over which he presides, the steward of God, who is appointed in his name, to take care of his family. He must not therefore be fierce and self willed, obstinate, morose, and arrogant,⁶ not soon provoked to be angry, not one who sits long over his cups, and loves to drink large quantities of

⁴ Believing children.] This is mentioned with great propriety; for, if a man were not careful to instruct his children in the principles of Christianity, there would be great reason to doubt, whether he were hearty in the belief of it himself, and under a governing sense of its truth and importance: and if a man had only unbelieving children in his house, that is, such as were so obstinate that they could not be brought to embrace Christianity, by any of the arguments which could be laid before them in that age of miracles, it would be a great discouragement and, in some circumstances, a great hindrance to him, from pursuing the duties of a Christian elder, or bishop. And those evils, into which such obstinate infidel children might fall, would, very probably, bring a reproach upon the family, which might, in

a degree, hurt the character, of him who presided in it.

⁵ For a bishop must be blameless.] It has been often observed, that, if the bishop, of whom Paul speaks, had been invested with an office distinct from, and superior to the elder mentioned above, there could have been no room to conclude, that an elder must be blameless, because a bishop must be so, though the argument would have held strongly in an inverted order. By what degrees, and on what reasons the distinction was afterwards introduced (as a distinction to be sure there early was) it is not my business here to inquire.

⁶ Self willed obstinate, morose, and arrogant.] Raphecus has taken a great deal of pains to shew that this is the proper signification of a bride, the word here used. See Raph. ex Herod. in loc.

Reflections on the character of a Christian b

wine, not a striker of others, by which, whatsoever his provocation may be, he always degrades himself in the eyes of those that are witnesses of the quarrel, nor greedy of sordid and infamous gain: But he ought to maintain a character directly the opposite of all these, and to be hospitable, benign, sober, and grave in his deportment, righteous, holy, devout, and temperate in all things: Holding fast, in the most resolute manner, the faithful word which he hath been taught by those who were commissioned to publish it to the world, that so he may be able both to instruct others in sound doctrine, and to convince and silence those that contradict it.

IMPROVEMENT.

NEVER let it be forgotten by any that call themselves Christians, that the faith of God’s elect is the acknowledgment of the truth which is according to godliness. Never let the great design of Christianity be lost in an eager contention for any of its appendages, or any of its parts. Yet, alas, how often has it, in particular instances, been wounded almost to death, in a furious attempt to rescue it, and that, sometimes perhaps, from only an imaginary danger. That we may be more sensible of its vital influence, let us ever retain the hope of that eternal life which it proposes, as the great end of all our pursuits; even of that life which God that cannot lie hath promised. Let us rejoice to think that so immense a superstructure has so firm, so divine a foundation; and let us never give it up for any thing that a flattering world, always ready to engage, and slow to perform, can promise. Let us ever be very thankful for the provision God hath made for the manifestation of his word, through preaching, and for his goodness in raising up faithful pastors to his church, overseers in every age, who have been blameless, sober, just, holy, and temperate. Such may all be that appear under that sacred character; able, by their doctrine to instruct, by their reasoning to convince by their practice to edify; ever solicitous, that they may not neglect their pastoral services, that they may not lord it proudly over their brethren, that they may not be transported by furious passions, or misguided by rash conclusions, or perverted by low interests, and the greediness of filthy lucre; but that they may approve themselves the faithful stewards of God, and promote the good order of his house: and, so far as their influence can reach, the happiness of ever member of his family.

Paul cautions Titus against Yudaizing teachers ;

In order to this, let them look well to their own houses, that such nothing may be wanting on their part to make their children tractable, faithful, and sober. And let the children of ministers consider the obligations they are under to cultivate a teachable spirit, and to maintain the strictest decency in their whole deportment, as remembering the superior advantages they may be supposed to enjoy for religious improvement, and how much a minister’s reputation and usefulness depend upon the regularity of his family.

Titus 1:10

Paul cautions Titus against seducing teachers, and the native vices of the Cretans ; and advises him to accommodate his exhortations to the different sorts of persons with whom he conversed, according to their respective sexes, ages, and circumstances. Titus I. 10, to the end. Chap. II. 1—8.

TITUS I. 10. FOR there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision ;

I HAVE particularly insisted upon it, that a bishop should be able to convince gainsayers, as well as to instruct candid and obedient hearers. And indeed the precaution is very necessary at present, and particularly in the place where you now preside ; for there are many disorderly [persons] and vain talkers, who are deceived in their own minds, in consequence of which it is no wonder if they are active in deceiving others. And this is especially the case with those of the circumcision, who are so eager to impose on their Gentile brethren the ceremonies of the Mosaic law, as if Christianity itself were insufficient to save us without them :

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

Whose mouth must therefore be stopped by solid arguments, and their unreasonable clamours silenced by the strenuous exercise of discipline : for they are persons who are so active in spreading these mischievous notions, that they overturn whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of infamous gain ; hoping by their doctrines to secure the favour of some rich men, who never think they can do enough for those preachers that support their own factions and dividing notions.

One of themselves, even a proph- I know that there are many such at present in your island ; and I remember that Epimenides, one of their [countrymen,] and a poet in such

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He reminds him of the national character of the Cretans.

high renown, that I may call him a kind of ii. prophet of their own, has said, the Cretans are always liars, pernicious savage beasts, and yet Tit. i. slow bellies, a wretched compound of lux- 12 ury and idleness, fierceness and falsehood, which makes it exceedingly difficult to reform them, or even to live safely and quietly 13 among them. This witness, concerning them is, in the general, true, though some particular persons may be found of a different character. For which cause rebuke them severely, when they begin to shew a disposition to corrupt Christianity; that they may be sound in the faith, and that the simpler part of them may be preserved from the dishonest artifices and attempts 14 of others. And particularly, that they may not

et of their own, said, The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

This witness is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Not giving

A prophet.] Epimenides, whose words Paul here quotes, is said, by Diogenes Laertius, to have been a great favourite of the gods; but Aristotle says he never fore told any future event; which, as Dr. Scott justly observes, (Scott’s Christian life, Vol. III. p. 650,) is a plain argument that the word prophet is sometimes used in a large sense, for one who is supposed, by the person applying the title to him, to be an instructor of men in Divine things, from whom the will of the Deity may be learnt.

b Cretans are always liars, &c.] Perhaps it might have been in some views more proper to have translated this Greek verse in such a manner that it might have read as a verse in English, “False Cretans! Savage beasts, with bellies slow!” It is evident the poet here suggests a remarkable contrast, to shew what a mixture there was of fierceness and luxury in the characters of the Cretans. Savage beasts are generally active and nimble; but these men, while they had the fury of lions and tigers, indulged themselves so much in the most sordid idleness and imtemperance, that they grew, (as it were,) all belly; and, like a breed of swine, common in the eastern countries, were often so burdened with fat that they could hardly move. As for their proneness to falsehood, it is well known that κεβιζω, to talk like a Cretan, was a proverb for lying, (as κεβιζω, to live like a Corinthian, was for a luxurious and debauched life) (See Erasm. Prov. p. 642, 643,) and it is remarkable, that Polibius scarce ever mentions this nation

o the pure all things are pure.

fall into the folly of giving heed to Jewish fables, and to the commandments and traditions of men, who pervert the truth of the gospel with those human mixtures by which they have in a great measure spoiled and enervated the law of Moses, for which they pretend so great a zeal.

I know they value themselves highly upon the distinctions of food, which they inculcate as of so great importance to purity. But they are much mistaken. To the pure indeed all things [are] pure. A man that habitually exercises a good conscience towards God, according to the best of his knowledge, is accepted of him, whether he do, or do not, abstain from such particular kinds of food as they scruple; whereas, to the polluted and unbelieving, which, alas, is too generally their character, nothing [is] pure, but their very mind and conscience is defiled, and they pollute, as it were, every thing they touch; they sin in all their actions, and even in those very meals in which they are most careful to abstain from what they have been taught to esteem common and unclean. I speak not now of all who practise Jewish ceremonies, but of those [who, while] they profess to know God, and glory in their relation to him, as his peculiar people, in works deny [him,] and act as if they disbelieved his very existence; being abominable to all that can judge of true worth, and disobedient to the plainest dictates of duty, and with respect to every good work reprobate, disapproved and condemned, when brought to the standard of God’s word, though they are among the first to judge and condemn others.

Such is the temper and character of many! But do thou, O Titus, not only guard against the infection thyself, but endeavour to fortify others against it, and speak the things which become wholesome doctrine, doctrine which may tend to promote the health and happiness of those minds by which it is imbibed. And endeavour to suit thy instructions to the different characters of persons whom thou addressest. When, for instance, thou art applying thyself to aged men, [admonish] them to be watchful against temptations, which might dishonour their advanced years, by drawing

Aged women must be careful to admonish the them into any unseemly behaviour: to be grav in their whole deportment, avoiding such levi ties as are, even in youth itself, rather pardon able than commendable, but in those who ar quitting the stage of life, highly indecent. Press it upon them, that they be sober an temperate in the use of animal pleasures, a their highest relish for them may well be sup posed, by this time, to be abated. In a word that they be sound, healthful, and vigorous i the several graces of the Christian temper, an particularly in faith, in love, and in patience; that the principles of Christianity may be retained, and have a suitable effect upon their hearts, to produce unbounded charity, and a calm composure under the calamities they may suffer from the hand of God, or the persecutions they may meet with in the cause of the gospel. The aged women, in like manner, [exhort] to that steadiness which becometh saints, and suits the holy profession they make: that they be not false accusers of others, a character rather to be expected from the great enemy of mankind, who has his name from thence, than from the disciples of the benevolent Jesus. Urge them also, that they be not given to much wine, for some of the Cretan women, as well as men, are infected with that luxurious evil. And, as it may be reasonably expected, that persons so advanced in life should have laid up a treasure of prudence and religious wisdom in their minds, press them, in such a manner as becomes their private station, to be teachers of that which is good: And particularly, that they wisely admonish the younger women; for whom they ought to maintain a maternal affection, and form them, on discreet maxims, to a prudent care in future life; teaching them to love and honour their husbands; to love their children with such a true affection as shall engage them to use the most pious and tender care in forming their minds, by all the offices of a good education, so many of which will naturally depend upon the mother. Let them inculcate it upon these young mistresses of rising families, [that they be] discreet and chaste, attentive to domes-

Titus is to shew himse a pattern o good works.

haste, keepers at time, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. tic affairs, and in that view keeping at home, to look after them with prudence and care; that they be good kind, and benevolent in their behaviour to all, and, particularly, obedient to their own husbands, that so the word of God, which they profess to have received into their hearts, and to reverence as their oracles, may not be blasphemed by their foolish or perverse, rebellious or licentious conduct.

In like manner also, exhort the young men, the hope of rising families, upon whom so much of the credit and support of the gospel will depend, that they accustom themselves betimes to be sober and steady in their behaviour, superior to sensual temptations, and constant in the exercise of every part of self government.

And, that this address to them and others may be more successful in all things, be still shewing thyself a pattern of good works, by which others may model their conduct with advantage: while employed in teaching, be constantly [exercising] uncorruptness, that nothing may be spoken but the genuine truth; and let it be attended with a gravity in declaring it, proportionable to its importance, and proceed from sincerity of heart; Still uttering wholesome speech, that cannot be confuted, that he who is on the contrary side, and will obstinately persist in his infidelity, may be ashamed of his opposition, having no evil to say of you, or those committed to your care; but may be obliged, with all his prejudices, to acknowledge that you are a worthy president over a worthy and valuable society of men.

IMPROVEMENT.

WHILE we are reading the word of God, let us attentively observe what characters are adorned with honour, and what are branded with infamy. It is melancholy to think that any nation, though ever so small, ever so remote, ever so destitute of cultivation and instruction, should deserve the characters which Epimenides gave of the Cretans, and which Paul found reason to

d Keeping at home, to look after, &c] by several of the best authors to express Elmer has shewn, in a learned note on both these ideas. this place, that the word enreg@ is used

Reflections on the character of the Cretans.

confirm : that luxury and fraud, idleness and fury, dissonant as ii. they may seem, should be their governing inclinations. Sad verse distempers in the minds of men ! But how peculiarly lamentable, when they prevail among professing Christians ! for among those that are Christians indeed they cannot possibly prevail. Yet surely there are not a few, even in Britain, with all its ad- 16 vantages, who, while professing to know God, and Christ Jesus his Son, in works deny them. Such are abominable, in proportion to the degree in which they are disobedient ; and, as they are reprorobate to every good work now, must expect to be rejected with abhorrence at last by that God whose name they have blasphemed, and whose Son they have dishonoured.

To remedy, and, if it be possible, to prevent such evils, let the ministers of Christ be still applying themselves, with suitable exhortations and charges, to all with whom they are concerned. II. 2 Let them apply to the aged and the young ; and let the aged of 6 both sexes use that authority which their more advanced progress in life may give, to enforce upon the rising generation lessons of wisdom and piety, according to their respective sexes 4, 5 and circumstances in life ; that prudence and chastity, economy and sweetness of temper, a subjection to their husbands, formed on love and on religion, may be the character of young wives ; and that they may join to it that very important duty, of a pious care in the education of those children which God may give them. And 6 may the sobriety of young men encourage a hope, that they will preside over their families in the fear of God, and repay the goodness of such amiable consorts ! And may the teachers, whether in public or private life, be themselves examples of the virtues they inculcate ; that they who study to asperse Christianity, may find themselves silenced, till their shame turns into a worthier affection ; till their silence breaks out into praise, and they, imbibing the like principles, feel them productive of the like virtues !