‏ Titus 1

** This epistle chiefly contains directions to Titus concerning

the elders of the Church, and the manner in which he should give

instruction; and the latter part tells him to urge obedience to

magistrates, to enforce good works, avoid foolish questions, and

shun heresies. The instructions the apostle gave are all plain

and simple. The Christian religion was not formed to answer

worldly or selfish views, but it is the wisdom of God and the

power of God.

* The apostle salutes Titus. (1-4) The qualifications of a

faithful pastor. (5-9) The evil temper and practices of false

teachers. (10-16)

1-4 All are the servants of God who are not slaves of sin and

Satan. All gospel truth is according to godliness, teaching the

fear of God. The intent of the gospel is to raise up hope as

well as faith; to take off the mind and heart from the world,

and to raise them to heaven and the things above. How excellent

then is the gospel, which was the matter of Divine promise so

early, and what thanks are due for our privileges! Faith comes

by hearing, and hearing by the word of God; and whoso is

appointed and called, must preach the word. Grace is the free

favour of God, and acceptance with him. Mercy, the fruits of the

favour, in the pardon of sin, and freedom from all miseries both

here and hereafter. And peace is the effect and fruit of mercy.

Peace with God through Christ who is our Peace, and with the

creatures and ourselves. Grace is the fountain of all blessings.

Mercy, and peace, and all good, spring out of this. 5-9 The character and qualification of pastors, here called

elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to

Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be

examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs

of his household, there is great reason that they should be

blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as

what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers

of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described

the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of

good works. 10-16 False teachers are described. Faithful ministers must

oppose such in good time, that their folly being made manifest,

they may go no further They had a base end in what they did;

serving a worldly interest under pretence of religion: for the

love of money is the root of all evil. Such should be resisted,

and put to shame, by sound doctrine from the Scriptures.

Shameful actions, the reproach of heathens, should be far from

Christians; falsehood and lying, envious craft and cruelty,

brutal and sensual practices, and idleness and sloth, are sins

condemned even by the light of nature. But Christian meekness is

as far from cowardly passing over sin and error, as from anger

and impatience. And though there may be national differences of

character, yet the heart of man in every age and place is

deceitful and desperately wicked. But the sharpest reproofs must

aim at the good of the reproved; and soundness in the faith is

most desirable and necessary. To those who are defiled and

unbelieving, nothing is pure; they abuse, and turn things lawful

and good into sin. Many profess to know God, yet in their lives

deny and reject him. See the miserable state of hypocrites, such

as have a form of godliness, but are without the power; yet let

us not be so ready to fix this charge on others, as careful that

it does not apply to ourselves.