As Paul grew older and the fruits of the gospel spread wider, he recognized the likely fact that brethren with whom he had had contact and had loved for so many years would not be seen again this side of eternity. Likewise works with which he had had close contact would have to be left entrusted to the care of others. And as Paul looked toward the inevitable he knew that the continued success of the church would be contingent upon one fact: being committed to good works. So as Paul now pens this epistle to Titus, entrusting the care of the Cretian congregations to him, Paul outlines a series of five good works in which the brethren needed to be active to ensure their steadfastness in the sight of God.
First, Paul tells Titus to commit himself to appointing proper church leadership. Any organization is only going to be as good as its leadership and a congregation is no different. However, unlike the organizations of the world whose leadership might rely upon business savvy or material success, the leadership in the church relies upon spiritual strength and wisdom. Thus, just as he did in his first letter to Timothy, Paul outlines in chapter one certain traits necessary to produce a successful elder in the Lord’s church. His training for this great work is in personal preparation, evidence in leading his family over which he is head to the faith, being reputable among those around him, and in earnestly striving to lead the lost and erring to the truth (1:6-9). By committing himself to this good and great work, Titus would be preparing congregations the world over for perpetual service rendered faithfully unto God.
Second, Paul tells Titus to commit himself to rebuking false teachers. As earnest as the need is to tell people what the truth is, there is just as much need at times to tell them what the truth is not. Recognized was the fact that the enemies of Christianity were taking error just as far as the truth was being taken, so Paul warned Titus: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Titus 1:10-11). The danger was real and thus Paul’s counsel to Titus was to rebuke them sharply for the intention of making them sound in the faith. And by committing himself to this good and great work, Titus would be stopping the spread of the evil error and would be making the truth more widely available.
Third, Paul tells Titus to commit himself to preaching the truth. While speaking out against error is needed, Paul’s counsel to Titus was to balance himself by also speaking out for the truth. He, though, was not alone in this great task. By each child of God holding fast to their own personal responsibilities, the truth would spread farther, wider, and faster; but what were these responsibilities? “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded” (Titus 2:2-6). By having a place for everybody and everybody in their place the church would be able to function effectively according to its charge to preach the word; and by committing himself to this work, Titus would be promoting the
advance of the gospel.
Fourth, Paul tells Titus to commit himself to keeping the church pure. There perhaps was, and is, no greater challenge set before God’s children than to keep the church unspotted from the world. At times the slightest deviation can be detrimental to the overall structure instructed by God. Therefore Paul’s instruction was to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, thereby living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:12). Remembered was the fact that Christ died to bring about purity upon His people, and it is that purity to which we must be committed. Committing himself to the purity of the church, Titus would be taking a stand to preserve it for generations to come.
Then, fifth, Paul tells Titus to personally maintain good works, living as an example to all people what a New Testament Christian is to be. Words mean little if there is no substance in life to back them up. Ultimately Paul said it best by writing that maintaining good works are good and profitable unto men. Thus, by committing himself to his own spiritual maintenance, Titus would be providing the example by which countless other souls could maintain godliness as well.
Though rather short in length, this epistle to Titus provides timeless advice for not only preachers, but for all Christians today. By strictly adhering one’s life to these principles, surely preparation will be made for the life to come.