Written by Paul to Titus who was overseeing the churches on the Island of Crete (160 miles long, 35 miles wide, located south of the Aegean Sea). The theme of Titus is Pastoral Instruction. Paul sets in order the things that are lacking in the fellowships in Crete.
Titus 1:1 - 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;
There is a lot packed into this one verse, so I will have to break this one up. He says Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. The word servant is the word DULOS. In Exodus Chapter 21, it gives us the account of the DULOS. A slave is someone who would be a slave to a master in order to pay a debt.
And after the debt is paid, the slave would be free to go. But if the slave did not want to leave the master's house, he would voluntarily come to the master and say I want to be your slave for life. The master would take the slave to the front door of the home, he would take an awl, and he would nail his ear to the doorpost. He would then take the nail out and put a ring in his ear, and that ring would designate him as a DULOS, a voluntary slave to his master.
And Paul used this term for himself, that he was a slave to sin, but Jesus Christ set him free, and he has committed his life to be the Lord's DULOS for life, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. An apostle, the APOSTOLOS, is someone who is sent out with a commission. In this instance, because Paul says he's a DULOS, he's a slave sent by his master on a mission.
Titus 1:14 - Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Not giving heed to Jewish fables. What this phrase is referring to is that what some people would do in these fellowships is they would establish doctrine by personal experience. They would tell stories of experiences that they had in their own life, and from those experiences, they would say that because of my experience, that establishes this truth about life.
Paul says no, it doesn't. In fact, the word fables is the word myths, MUTHOS. Not giving heed to Jewish stories, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. The word turn is a Present Participle which means always turning from the truth.
Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
A pure person is going to look for purity in all things. But unto those who are defiled and to the unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind, and that would be the Greek word for perception, even their perceptions and their conscience is defiled. So, there isn't anything that's pure.
Titus 1:16 - They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him. So, with their mouth they talk belief, but with their life they live corruption. Being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work, and that's the word AGATHOS for the work of God, and they are reprobate (rejected).
Those are tough words, but Paul is dealing with a pagan practice and society that is in the church. And Titus has to go in there and say "look, if you profess to be a believer, and you're still living that pagan lifestyle, there's a question mark right over you."
You cannot be saved just by a profession or confession, because truth produces godliness.
Titus 1:8 - But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
So, we just had five negatives in Verse 7, and in Verse 8, we have some positives.
But a lover of hospitality, meaning hospitable. The Greek word is literally a lover of strangers. Christians, as they pass through town would seek other believers to stay in their homes. And that's what it means to be hospitable to strangers.
A lover of good men, and the word good here is AGATHOS, which is spiritual good.
To be sober, no influence, and in fact, the Greek word is sober minded. Your mind can be influenced by various thoughts and issues of life and can cloud your thinking and your judgment and your decision making, just like alcohol can take over your system. The influence of thoughts are not to be part of the thinking process of the leader.
He must be just, or righteous. That means to be right with God.
He must be holy. This means pure.
He must be temperate; which means self-controlled. Only this Greek word has to do with being controlled from the inside by an outside force. Galatians 5:22 says that the Holy Spirit controls the believer. He is to be controlled on the inside by an outside force. And of course that's a reference to God's Spirit.
Titus 1:9 - 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. Gainsayers is to speak against the word.
Titus 1:10 - For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, meaning the Jews: There were even Hebrew Jewish people coming in and telling the believers that they must live by the law, even in the island of Crete.
Titus 1:6 - If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
He says if any be blameless. That is a legal term that means unimpeachable. Blameless in the following area: the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. The word riot means destruction. The word unruly means insubordinate. It is the same phrase that's found in 1 Timothy Chapter 3. In the Greek, when it says the husband of one wife, it means a one-woman man. It has nothing to do with divorce. It has to do with faithfulness. A man must be faithful to his wife, while at the same time having faithful children.
Titus 1:7 - For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
It says, for a bishop, and this is the word for an overseer, EPISKOPOS. It's the same as pastor, and the same as elder. For a bishop must be blameless, again unimpeachable, as the steward of God;
Here's the list:
Not selfwilled, which is somebody that's not looking to have their own way all the time.
Next, it says not soon angry. There's no word soon in the Greek text, but the Greek word indicates impulsive outbursts of anger.
Not given to wine. The Greek word is literally not alongside of wine. Don't be associated with wine. That means if it's sitting in front of you at the table and you're not drinking it, you're still associated with it. Do not be alongside of wine.
He is not to be a striker. This has nothing to do with going on strike! Literally, it is a person that doesn't hit.
Not given to filthy lucre; Many years ago, I didn't know what that was, but just by the sound of it, I didn't want it whatever it was. It literally means shameful gain in dealing with the material objects of the world. It is shameful gain with materialism. It is a shame for leaders to lust after and go after material things that are beyond the necessity.
Enjoy your explanation and the ongoing study of Titus. I wrote earlier and it seems that it got lost somewhere in cyberspace. My question is on Titus 1:6.....husband of one wife. Does that imply that a man can re-marry again because he had only one wife and not two or more, at the same time?
I did read your earlier post but not before you posted the second time. I'm not sure what you mean by a "Wonderful time" lady, but I can share my thoughts on this.
A man, whether he is a pastor or not is free to re-marry if his current spouse dies. You asked about this pastor justifying getting remarried to a "wonderful time" lady by using Titus 1:6. I would say that Titus 1:6 has nothing to do with his situation. What bothers me about this is that this pastor is having a wonderful time with another woman while his wife is still alive. It should not matter that his current wife is critically ill. He is still required to be faithful to his wife. No man, especially a pastor should become involved with another woman while he is still married. Even though there may not be anything sexual or romantic going on, there is still the appearance of evil which every believer is to avoid.
We see this same phrase "husband of one wife" in 1 Timothy 3:2. As I share before when I went through 1 Timothy, it is literally a one-woman man. That's the way it reads in the Greek text. It doesn't have anything to do with marriage, divorce, or re-marriage. It means to be a one-woman man, faithful to one wife.
I hope this helps. Thank you so much for your message.
My first "Thank you" is for your time to reply my post. I posted twice as I wasn't sure how this forum works as I am new. I want to say "Thank you" again because you have written this >>"there is still the appearance of evil which every believer is to avoid."
This is the core of my contention for leaving that church and same time, trying to persuade others to do likewise. For the record, this is not the only sermon or rubbish this hireling is churning weekly, it gets worst.
"Thank you" again for the truth had set me free from the nagging feeling that I may be wrong in my assessment of this person. Knowing that I am not only, not perfect but a sinner, it is very scary to determine oneself whether the action and speech is God inspired or evil creeping it's way into me. Your reply have confirmed what I had sensed all along.
From what you've shared, I would say that you did the right thing. As far as trying to persuade others to leave any church, the only way they will leave is if the Lord persuades them to do so. I would like to believe that it was the Lord that persuaded you to leave. I'm glad that I was able to share something that you found helpful. Welcome to this forum. It is always nice when new believers join in the discussions and share their knowledge and love for the Lord. I pray that you find a better fellowship, a place where you will be fed spiritually.
I want to ask this question. If a pastor's wife is critically ill and the pastor is having a wonderful time with another lady. Then the wife passed off and within a year, the pastor marries that "wonderful time" lady.
And the pastor justify the marriage as a personal choice by quoting " Titus 1:6 -Titus 1:6 (KJV)
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,".............is this pastor applying the correct interpretation?
Titus 1:2 - In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
So, the premise of Paul's ministry includes three things: According to the same faith that God's elect has, according to the full knowledge of the truth which produces godliness, and upon the basis of the hope of eternal life. And then the promise of God: All of these things, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began; or more literally, before the time of the ages.
The God who cannot lie, that's a Hebraism from the Old Testament. In fact, the word lie in the Greek text is in the Attributive Position. It is the un-lying God. He can't lie. It's impossible.
Titus 1:4 - To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
The person the letter is written to is to Titus, my own son, and the word own is the word genuine. He says my genuine son, after the common faith:
In other words, Titus was born out of the same faith that Paul has. And Paul has mentioned this, and it is interesting that 2 Timothy 1:5 mentions the fact that Timothy had the same faith as his grandmother and his mother, and Paul says I'm persuaded that it's the same faith that is in you.
Believers are born out of the same faith. It's not different. Some people have a different faith. But if you are born out of the Spirit of God, you have the same faith as Paul, and Timothy, and Titus. So, he pronounces to Titus Grace, mercy, and peace. And again, in the pastoral letters, he includes one word more than in his other letters. It's the word mercy.
Grace is the Greek greeting. Peace is the Jewish greeting, Shalom. And mercy, he puts in for both Timothy and Titus who were leaders in the church. He then says this is from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Interesting, God our Savior, and now from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus our Savior!
But the full knowledge of the truth, and this is going to be brought out in this letter that if the truth is being taught, then your life should be in the process of being changed, and your life should be more godly, more God fearing and respecting. If there is no life change and transformation, then Paul's presentation is that it's not the truth.
Thirdly: according to the hope of eternal life. The word hope in Greek ELPIS, doesn't mean hope like a wish, but it means to be expectant for something to happen, expectancy. It's not you wish it would happen, but you expect it to happen.
Peter, in 1 Peter 1:3, he said blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It's a living hope! It's a hope that's alive. It's not a wish. We're looking for the coming of Christ. If we die first, we're looking to be in His presence. We're looking for the hope that Jesus gave us through His resurrection.
The premise for Paul's ministry, he says three things:
First of all, according to the faith of God's elect. The term God's elect is making reference to the Jewish remnant. The Jews, the Hebrew remnant is called the elect of God. Gentiles, or the church are not called the elect. That's why we're going to find when we get into the Jewish literature that the Jews, the letters to whom they're written to, the Jews will be called God's elect. It's not the Gentiles. It's the Jews.
So, when he says according to the faith of God's elect, he's appealing to the Jewish people that Paul's faith is the same faith from God as God's elect has. It's the same faith. The basis for his ministry is the same God, and the same faith. And by the way, there was a Jewish remnant on the island of Crete. It is believed because of the information in Acts 2:11.
We're told that Jews from the island of Crete were there on the day of Pentecost, and were believers, and received the outpouring of God's Spirit, went back to the island of Crete, and that's how Christianity first spread, and then of course was established when Paul and Titus came through as more people were saved. So, there was a Jewish population, a Jewish remnant in these home church fellowships.
Secondly: according to the full knowledge.
The King James says acknowledging, but the Greek word means full knowledge of the truth, not just bits of information, but the complete knowledge of the truth, which is according to, or after godliness;
What this phrase is saying without getting into too much technical points here, is that the truth of God produces godliness. The emphasis is lifestyle. The word godliness, EUSEBEIA, means to have a respect and a reverence for God. An ungodly person is someone who doesn't respect God at all.
Jesse, I absolutely disagree, and scripture does not support your premise that "elect" refers to the Jewish remnant.
1 Peter 1:2,20
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Thank you for reading my post. It is your right to disagree, and I have no issue with that. I do however stand by what I posted. Also, thank you for sharing 1 Peter 1:2. Since you bring up that particular verse, may I ask you who the "Elect" is in Verse 2? Is this word elect referring to Jews, Gentiles, or the church?
Good evening Jesse, Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The elect are those whom God chose before the foundation of the world and borns again unto redemption.
Ephesians 1:2,4-11 KJVS
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Ephesians 1:13,18 KJVS
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Thank you for both the Greek and Jewish greeting! I am neither Greek nor Jewish, but it is still nice to hear. I thank you also for the reply but I'm afraid my question was not answered. You shared 1 Peter 1:2 with me where we see the word "elect." My question is who are the elect in this verse? Since you sent that verse to me, I was hoping you would be able to share your understanding of the word elect in that particular verse. It is my belief that it is referring to the Jews. Any thoughts?
Also, thank you again for sharing another two great pieces of scripture from Ephesians. I am unable to make the connection on how any of those passages are referring to the elect. There is not one mention of the word elect in any of the verses you've shared, nor is the word found anywhere else in the book of Ephesians.
Again, I do thank you for your time. I look forward to your answer to my question on this word elect in 1 Peter 1:2.
(Titus Part 1a):
Written by Paul to Titus who was overseeing the churches on the Island of Crete (160 miles long, 35 miles wide, located south of the Aegean Sea). The theme of Titus is Pastoral Instruction. Paul sets in order the things that are lacking in the fellowships in Crete.
Titus 1:1 - 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;
There is a lot packed into this one verse, so I will have to break this one up. He says Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. The word servant is the word DULOS. In Exodus Chapter 21, it gives us the account of the DULOS. A slave is someone who would be a slave to a master in order to pay a debt.
And after the debt is paid, the slave would be free to go. But if the slave did not want to leave the master's house, he would voluntarily come to the master and say I want to be your slave for life. The master would take the slave to the front door of the home, he would take an awl, and he would nail his ear to the doorpost. He would then take the nail out and put a ring in his ear, and that ring would designate him as a DULOS, a voluntary slave to his master.
And Paul used this term for himself, that he was a slave to sin, but Jesus Christ set him free, and he has committed his life to be the Lord's DULOS for life, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. An apostle, the APOSTOLOS, is someone who is sent out with a commission. In this instance, because Paul says he's a DULOS, he's a slave sent by his master on a mission.
Titus 1:14 - Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Not giving heed to Jewish fables. What this phrase is referring to is that what some people would do in these fellowships is they would establish doctrine by personal experience. They would tell stories of experiences that they had in their own life, and from those experiences, they would say that because of my experience, that establishes this truth about life.
Paul says no, it doesn't. In fact, the word fables is the word myths, MUTHOS. Not giving heed to Jewish stories, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. The word turn is a Present Participle which means always turning from the truth.
Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
A pure person is going to look for purity in all things. But unto those who are defiled and to the unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind, and that would be the Greek word for perception, even their perceptions and their conscience is defiled. So, there isn't anything that's pure.
Titus 1:16 - They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him. So, with their mouth they talk belief, but with their life they live corruption. Being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work, and that's the word AGATHOS for the work of God, and they are reprobate (rejected).
Those are tough words, but Paul is dealing with a pagan practice and society that is in the church. And Titus has to go in there and say "look, if you profess to be a believer, and you're still living that pagan lifestyle, there's a question mark right over you."
You cannot be saved just by a profession or confession, because truth produces godliness.
Titus 1:8 - But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
So, we just had five negatives in Verse 7, and in Verse 8, we have some positives.
But a lover of hospitality, meaning hospitable. The Greek word is literally a lover of strangers. Christians, as they pass through town would seek other believers to stay in their homes. And that's what it means to be hospitable to strangers.
A lover of good men, and the word good here is AGATHOS, which is spiritual good.
To be sober, no influence, and in fact, the Greek word is sober minded. Your mind can be influenced by various thoughts and issues of life and can cloud your thinking and your judgment and your decision making, just like alcohol can take over your system. The influence of thoughts are not to be part of the thinking process of the leader.
He must be just, or righteous. That means to be right with God.
He must be holy. This means pure.
He must be temperate; which means self-controlled. Only this Greek word has to do with being controlled from the inside by an outside force. Galatians 5:22 says that the Holy Spirit controls the believer. He is to be controlled on the inside by an outside force. And of course that's a reference to God's Spirit.
Titus 1:9 - 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. Gainsayers is to speak against the word.
Titus 1:10 - For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, meaning the Jews: There were even Hebrew Jewish people coming in and telling the believers that they must live by the law, even in the island of Crete.
Titus 1:6 - If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
He says if any be blameless. That is a legal term that means unimpeachable. Blameless in the following area: the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. The word riot means destruction. The word unruly means insubordinate. It is the same phrase that's found in 1 Timothy Chapter 3. In the Greek, when it says the husband of one wife, it means a one-woman man. It has nothing to do with divorce. It has to do with faithfulness. A man must be faithful to his wife, while at the same time having faithful children.
Titus 1:7 - For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
It says, for a bishop, and this is the word for an overseer, EPISKOPOS. It's the same as pastor, and the same as elder. For a bishop must be blameless, again unimpeachable, as the steward of God;
Here's the list:
Not selfwilled, which is somebody that's not looking to have their own way all the time.
Next, it says not soon angry. There's no word soon in the Greek text, but the Greek word indicates impulsive outbursts of anger.
Not given to wine. The Greek word is literally not alongside of wine. Don't be associated with wine. That means if it's sitting in front of you at the table and you're not drinking it, you're still associated with it. Do not be alongside of wine.
He is not to be a striker. This has nothing to do with going on strike! Literally, it is a person that doesn't hit.
Not given to filthy lucre; Many years ago, I didn't know what that was, but just by the sound of it, I didn't want it whatever it was. It literally means shameful gain in dealing with the material objects of the world. It is shameful gain with materialism. It is a shame for leaders to lust after and go after material things that are beyond the necessity.
Enjoy your explanation and the ongoing study of Titus. I wrote earlier and it seems that it got lost somewhere in cyberspace. My question is on Titus 1:6.....husband of one wife. Does that imply that a man can re-marry again because he had only one wife and not two or more, at the same time?
I did read your earlier post but not before you posted the second time. I'm not sure what you mean by a "Wonderful time" lady, but I can share my thoughts on this.
A man, whether he is a pastor or not is free to re-marry if his current spouse dies. You asked about this pastor justifying getting remarried to a "wonderful time" lady by using Titus 1:6. I would say that Titus 1:6 has nothing to do with his situation. What bothers me about this is that this pastor is having a wonderful time with another woman while his wife is still alive. It should not matter that his current wife is critically ill. He is still required to be faithful to his wife. No man, especially a pastor should become involved with another woman while he is still married. Even though there may not be anything sexual or romantic going on, there is still the appearance of evil which every believer is to avoid.
We see this same phrase "husband of one wife" in 1 Timothy 3:2. As I share before when I went through 1 Timothy, it is literally a one-woman man. That's the way it reads in the Greek text. It doesn't have anything to do with marriage, divorce, or re-marriage. It means to be a one-woman man, faithful to one wife.
I hope this helps. Thank you so much for your message.
God Bless!!!
My first "Thank you" is for your time to reply my post. I posted twice as I wasn't sure how this forum works as I am new. I want to say "Thank you" again because you have written this >>"there is still the appearance of evil which every believer is to avoid."
This is the core of my contention for leaving that church and same time, trying to persuade others to do likewise. For the record, this is not the only sermon or rubbish this hireling is churning weekly, it gets worst.
"Thank you" again for the truth had set me free from the nagging feeling that I may be wrong in my assessment of this person. Knowing that I am not only, not perfect but a sinner, it is very scary to determine oneself whether the action and speech is God inspired or evil creeping it's way into me. Your reply have confirmed what I had sensed all along.
Have a blessed day and God bless.
From what you've shared, I would say that you did the right thing. As far as trying to persuade others to leave any church, the only way they will leave is if the Lord persuades them to do so. I would like to believe that it was the Lord that persuaded you to leave. I'm glad that I was able to share something that you found helpful. Welcome to this forum. It is always nice when new believers join in the discussions and share their knowledge and love for the Lord. I pray that you find a better fellowship, a place where you will be fed spiritually.
May the Lord bless you always!
I want to ask this question. If a pastor's wife is critically ill and the pastor is having a wonderful time with another lady. Then the wife passed off and within a year, the pastor marries that "wonderful time" lady.
And the pastor justify the marriage as a personal choice by quoting " Titus 1:6 - Titus 1:6 (KJV)
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,".............is this pastor applying the correct interpretation?
Titus 1:2 - In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
So, the premise of Paul's ministry includes three things: According to the same faith that God's elect has, according to the full knowledge of the truth which produces godliness, and upon the basis of the hope of eternal life. And then the promise of God: All of these things, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began; or more literally, before the time of the ages.
The God who cannot lie, that's a Hebraism from the Old Testament. In fact, the word lie in the Greek text is in the Attributive Position. It is the un-lying God. He can't lie. It's impossible.
Titus 1:4 - To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
The person the letter is written to is to Titus, my own son, and the word own is the word genuine. He says my genuine son, after the common faith:
In other words, Titus was born out of the same faith that Paul has. And Paul has mentioned this, and it is interesting that 2 Timothy 1:5 mentions the fact that Timothy had the same faith as his grandmother and his mother, and Paul says I'm persuaded that it's the same faith that is in you.
Believers are born out of the same faith. It's not different. Some people have a different faith. But if you are born out of the Spirit of God, you have the same faith as Paul, and Timothy, and Titus. So, he pronounces to Titus Grace, mercy, and peace. And again, in the pastoral letters, he includes one word more than in his other letters. It's the word mercy.
Grace is the Greek greeting. Peace is the Jewish greeting, Shalom. And mercy, he puts in for both Timothy and Titus who were leaders in the church. He then says this is from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Interesting, God our Savior, and now from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus our Savior!
Titus 1:1 Continued:
But the full knowledge of the truth, and this is going to be brought out in this letter that if the truth is being taught, then your life should be in the process of being changed, and your life should be more godly, more God fearing and respecting. If there is no life change and transformation, then Paul's presentation is that it's not the truth.
Thirdly: according to the hope of eternal life. The word hope in Greek ELPIS, doesn't mean hope like a wish, but it means to be expectant for something to happen, expectancy. It's not you wish it would happen, but you expect it to happen.
Peter, in 1 Peter 1:3, he said blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It's a living hope! It's a hope that's alive. It's not a wish. We're looking for the coming of Christ. If we die first, we're looking to be in His presence. We're looking for the hope that Jesus gave us through His resurrection.
Titus 1:1 Continued:
The premise for Paul's ministry, he says three things:
First of all, according to the faith of God's elect. The term God's elect is making reference to the Jewish remnant. The Jews, the Hebrew remnant is called the elect of God. Gentiles, or the church are not called the elect. That's why we're going to find when we get into the Jewish literature that the Jews, the letters to whom they're written to, the Jews will be called God's elect. It's not the Gentiles. It's the Jews.
So, when he says according to the faith of God's elect, he's appealing to the Jewish people that Paul's faith is the same faith from God as God's elect has. It's the same faith. The basis for his ministry is the same God, and the same faith. And by the way, there was a Jewish remnant on the island of Crete. It is believed because of the information in Acts 2:11.
We're told that Jews from the island of Crete were there on the day of Pentecost, and were believers, and received the outpouring of God's Spirit, went back to the island of Crete, and that's how Christianity first spread, and then of course was established when Paul and Titus came through as more people were saved. So, there was a Jewish population, a Jewish remnant in these home church fellowships.
Secondly: according to the full knowledge.
The King James says acknowledging, but the Greek word means full knowledge of the truth, not just bits of information, but the complete knowledge of the truth, which is according to, or after godliness;
What this phrase is saying without getting into too much technical points here, is that the truth of God produces godliness. The emphasis is lifestyle. The word godliness, EUSEBEIA, means to have a respect and a reverence for God. An ungodly person is someone who doesn't respect God at all.
1 Peter 1:2,20
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Thank you for reading my post. It is your right to disagree, and I have no issue with that. I do however stand by what I posted. Also, thank you for sharing 1 Peter 1:2. Since you bring up that particular verse, may I ask you who the "Elect" is in Verse 2? Is this word elect referring to Jews, Gentiles, or the church?
Thanks again!
The elect are those whom God chose before the foundation of the world and borns again unto redemption.
Ephesians 1:2,4-11 KJVS
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Ephesians 1:13,18 KJVS
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Thank you for both the Greek and Jewish greeting! I am neither Greek nor Jewish, but it is still nice to hear. I thank you also for the reply but I'm afraid my question was not answered. You shared 1 Peter 1:2 with me where we see the word "elect." My question is who are the elect in this verse? Since you sent that verse to me, I was hoping you would be able to share your understanding of the word elect in that particular verse. It is my belief that it is referring to the Jews. Any thoughts?
Also, thank you again for sharing another two great pieces of scripture from Ephesians. I am unable to make the connection on how any of those passages are referring to the elect. There is not one mention of the word elect in any of the verses you've shared, nor is the word found anywhere else in the book of Ephesians.
Again, I do thank you for your time. I look forward to your answer to my question on this word elect in 1 Peter 1:2.
God Bless!!!
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