THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS
BAB 622
By: Dr. Cornelio Hegeman
MINTS INTERNATIONAL SEMINARY
14401 Old Cutler Rd.
Miami, Florida 33158. USA
2009 (revised in 2018)
TITUS
EVALUATION OF THE COURSE
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
LESSON ONE SALUTATION (1: 1-4)
1.1. REFLECTIONS ON 1:1-4
Introduction
1:1. Paul, the servant apostle
1:1-2a. The faith of the elect
1:2-3. Eternal life
1:4. The common faith of the family of God
Conclusions
1.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
1.3. OTHER COMMENTARIES
1.4.QUESTIONS
LESSON TWO INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELDERS (1: 5-9)
2.1. REFLECTIONS ON VS. 1: 5-9
Introduction
1:5. Order in the Church
1:6. Order in the leader’s family
1:7. Negative leadership
1:8. Servant leadership
1:9. Doctrinal integrity
Conclusion
2.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
2.3. OTHER COMMENTARIES
2.4. QUESTIONS
LESSON THREE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS (1:10-16)
3.1. REFLECTIONS ON VS. 1:10-16
Introduction
1:10-11. Identity of the false party
1:12-13. Ridicule of the false party
1:14-16. Analysis of the false party
Conclusion
3.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
3.3. OTHER COMMENTARIES
3.4. QUESTIONS
LESSON FOUR. SOCIOLOGY OF THE CHURCH
4.1. REFLECTIONS ON VS. 2: 1-15
Introduction
2:1. Teach sound doctrine
2:2. Older men
2:3. Older women
2:4-5. Younger women
2:6. Younger men
2:7-8. Sound Teachers
2:9-10. Slaves
2:11-14. Doctrines of grace
2:15. Declared truth
Conclusion
4.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
4.3. OTHER COMMENTARIES
4.4. QUESTIONS
LESSON FIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN CITIZENS
5.1. REFLECTIONS ON 3:1-8
Introduction
3:1-2. Christians in the world
3:3. The former life
3:4-5. Cause of our salvation
3:5-6. Means for our salvation
3:7. Purpose for our salvation
3:8. Doctrinal purpose
Conclusion
5.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
5.3. OTHER COMMENTARIES
5.4. QUESTIONS
LESSON SIX WORDS OF WISDOM
6.1. REFLECTIONS ON 3: 9-11
Introduction
3:9-11. Stay away from trouble
Conclusion
6.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
6.3 COMMENTARIES OF OTHERS
6.4. QUESTIONS
LESSON SEVEN CLOSING OBSERVATIONS
7.1. REFLECTION ON 3: 12-15
Introduction
3:12-14. Closing instructions
3:15. Benediction
Conclusion
7.2. CALVIN’S COMMENTARY
7.3. OTHER COMMENTARIES
7.4. QUESTIONS
LESSON EIGHT EXEGESIS
Introduction
8.1. DO YOUR EXEGESIS
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
TEACHER MANUAL
BIOGRAPHY
HOW TO EVALUATE THE COURSE
1. Attendance. For every hour (50 minutes) of attendance one point is given (total 15)
2. Questions and Answers. At the end of each lesson there are a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 15 questions. For the course there will be a minimum of 80 to a maximum of 100 questions. The answers are in the Teacher’s Manual. The student is expected to write out the questions and answers without consulting the Teacher’s Manual. Upon completion, the student will correct his own answers. The corrections will be written or typed in different color. The corrected answers that correspond to the assigned class will be reviewed by the facilitator. If complete, three points are recorded in Class Record. If all 8 lessons were completed on time, extra point is given for a total of 25 points.
3.Reading reports. The purpose of the reading is to introduce the student to examples of classical readings and/or reading helpful to understand course materials. Since we are distance education, readings can be placed in the appendix or linked to the internet. At the BA level the student will read 300 pages and at the MA level 600 pages. Each student will be assigned to report on their reading (or a portion of their readings) in class. BA students, 5-minute report; MA students, 10 minutes. At end of the course a written report of reading will be handed in. BA students a three-page report and BA students a five-page report.
Grading: 15% for reading, 5% for oral report, 5% for written report, total 25%.
4. Written Academic assignment.
4.1. The purpose of the writing assignment is to develop themes related to ministry and express them in an academic and educational format. (See, essay format)
4.2. Students are assigned a written project such as an essay, survey, interview or other written assignment.
4.3. Students will present their essay in typed format.
4.4. Value: 20 %
5. Final Exam
5.1. The purpose of the final exam is to show dominance of the main course concepts
5.2. This is a review of the Q and A. If different, be sure to explain that to the student
5.2. Value is 15%
REPORTING
Studentsname / Course of study / Att. / Q/A / Readings
reporting / Written
assign / Final
exam / Final
Grade
15% / 25% / 25% / 20% / 15% / 100%
For the student’s grade to be registered at MINTS-Miami office, the student needs to be properly registered and the course record needs to be sent to Academic Dean at MINTS-Miami.
PREFACE
The short epistle to Titus follows two epistles written to Timothy. These Pastoral Epistles are filled with apostolic teachings on how to establish the church of Jesus Christ. The church is established through the training of leaders like Timothy and Titus, as well as the leaders they will train.
This course is dedicated to church planters. Whereasletters to Timothy are for established churches, the epistle to Titus is for brand new church plants. Elders had to be chosen in every city (1: 5).
The church planting process goes like this: 1) the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching of apostolic doctrines, 2) the appointment of elders/bishops; 3) the establishment of personal, family, church and social order; 4) the exposing of false leaders and members and the exercise of discipline and 5) the planting of more churches.
Do we live in a day and age where new church plants are needed? Are there still ethnic groups or other types of human communities where the church needs to be established? Are their situations like Titus faced in Crete where the church needs to be established?
With the massive migrant movements taking place throughout the world, people are being removed from their traditional environments and need to resettle and reestablish themselves. The church needs to be established among the migrant groups.
There are also many societies where the Christian church has been planted many years ago but there is a need to re-establish the church. While writing this course, the author planned with missionary Dony St Germain of El Shaddai Ministries International to help the newly formed Haitian Reformed Church to build 50 church buildings and help train the young leaders. This effort will be combined with teaching elders and pastors at the ESMI seminary by teaching the new leaders Bible courses and having these leaders teach the courses to others. In fact, this course, which is written in English, will be translated into Haitian Creole.
When I wrote my fellow MINTS teachers and supporting churches the first response was from a MINTS teacher in Africa who volunteered to teach in Haiti. The second letter was from a North American pastor who was upset that this venture in Haiti would take resources that could be used for residential seminaries associated with the denomination. I reminded him that the residential seminaries have millions of dollars and we are only asking for $10,000 USA dollars for each chapel. Other letters were received saying that our mission work should not expand to new fields but should concentrate on fewer fields. However, when I reread Titus 1:5 where the Apostle instructs Titus to establish the church in every city through the nominating of leaders and read in the commentaries that Crete probably had more than 100 towns and cities, the vision for 50 churches seemed like a small project.
Titus did not receive instructions from the church in Jerusalem to organize the church in Crete. Titus, like Timothy, was under the mentorship of the Apostle Paul, a field missionary whose mission field was the known world.
The epistle to Titus, who was establishing new churches, is very similar to the epistles to Timothy, who was in a more established church. Once the church is planted, the difference between an established church and a mission church falls away. The doctrine and ethics for the body of Christ is transnational and universal.
INTRODUCTION
MINTS recommends that an introduction be given to the course (lasting 4 hours) and after that meet for 4 classes of 3 hours. See the Teacher’s Manual for instructions as to the class activities and student’s responsibilities.
The reason for writing the course is to show the students how they can write an even better course. For that reason, the classical commentaries of John Calvin, John Gills and Albert Barnes are presented in full. When this course is translated or written in another language, the available classic commentaries that exist in their language can be added as well. The course uses the full commentaries of French Reformed John Calvin (1509-1564), English Baptist John Gill (1697-1771) and American Presbyterian Albert Barnes (1798-1870). They are presented in full at the end of each lesson. The student is encouraged to use commentaries written by contemporary authors as well.
The student is encouraged to use the study of the Titus in a variety of ways. 1) The devotional reading and study of the letter; 2) using the epistle as a model to establish new churches and train their leader; 3) study this epistle with a Bible study group; 4) preach a series of sermons on this letter and 5) write one’s own commentary or course about this epistle. If all these activities have been done, then just memorize the letter!
LESSON ONE. SALUTATION (1: 1-4)
1.1.REFLECTIONS ON 1:1-4
Introduction
The apostle Paul immediately identifies himself as the author of this letter to Titus. He leaves no doubt as to the authorship and receivership of this epistle. As well as identifying himself as the author, Paul also explains his apostleship. He was sent (apostello) to serve Titus and the Church: his service, not simply his writings identify his ministry.
1:1. Paul, the servant apostle
Paul. The writer leaves the reader without doubt that Paul is the author of this letter. If it were not so, then all the doctrines would be as mythical as is the pseudo-author.
Servant (doulos).Paul identifies himself as a slave. Granted, he is a voluntary slave, but a slave of Christ. He is a slave for he has been bought by his master, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid for Paul with his blood. Jesus said that the greatest amongst us would serve the least. They are leaders in serving “the least of these my brethren.”
I know some great church leaders. This men and women are not CEO types, they are not rich, and they do not have a lot of academic degrees. Yet, they are awesome leaders. Why? Because they sacrificially serve all of God’s people. You find them searching for the lost sheep, tending to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of God’s needy sheep. When called to serve they respond and give leadership.
One such leader is Jose Manuel Gutierrez. For 12 years he has been voluntarily elected as president of the Christian Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic. The reason why his peers elect him is that he tirelessly and sacrificially visits the churches throughout the country and responds to emergency needs. As I was visiting this week, he traveled three hours to the south to free 7 Haitian immigrants in jail in Barahona and visited four new church groups in Samana, in the northern part of the Dominican Republic. On the Sunday when I was visiting, he accompanied me to two church services. Many of the youth in these churches has come to Christ in campaigns where he preached. He had helped many of the couples with their wedding costs. The mark of a great Christian leader is that he is servant of all God’s people, regardless of race, gender, distance or social class.
Outside of the circles of the Christian Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic, Jose Manuel Gutierrez is not known. Jose represents the literally millions of unknown and unrecognized ministry and mission leaders throughout the world. It is through the non-formal and out of sight leaders that the church moves from city to city, village to village, people group to people group. The large Christian church in China was not built by missionaries sent from Europe, North America or any other part of the world except China. God raises up leaders in the countries where they are needed. Often, we do not know about them, but we see the results in the establishment of many churches.
The New Testament does not use the designation, leader, for their leaders. They are called servants and even slaves. How insulting, right? Wrong! Better to be a slave of the master Jesus Christ than the emperor of Rome! Just ask Paul. Jesus is the Supreme leader and Christian leadership is measured by the submission of human leaders to His gospel and Word.
Apostle. Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was called and commissioned by Jesus Christ. He forms part of the 12 apostles. The term apostle means “sent ones.” Paul is sent as an ambassador of an empire that is greater than the Roman Empire. Paul is an apostle of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Servant and apostle go together. Paul does not act like a reigning pope, cardinal, archbishop or senior pastor. None of these terms apply to the apostle Paul. Rather, he is a servant, slave and prisoner for the Lord. His apostleship is qualified by humility and not human or institutional exaltation. How different from the modern-day apostles who revel in their fame and riches. The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church is the CEO of the wealthiest religious institution in the world, people kiss his hand and he is exalted by the world and spoken well of by world leaders. The infectiveness and spirituality of the popes is seen in their inability to rid the church of idolatry and the priests who abuse children and live homosexual lives. Recently (2018), it was discovered that during the last 40 years over 600 priests abused more than 1,000 children in the singular State of Pennsylvania. Did Pope Francis order any of these priests to serve time in federal prison?
But why speak about the Roman Catholic pope when some Evangelicals are more papal than the Vatican in declaring themselves successors of the original apostles. Absent is the leadership humility that should adorn the ministry of God’s servants. Why should a humble leader want the title of apostle when he does not need it? Gone is the knowledge that the original apostles appointed pastors, elders and deacons and no other apostles.
1:1-2a. The faith of the elect
Often the author of the Biblical books identifies the theme of his writing in the introduction of the book. “The faith of the elect” is the theme or one of the main themes of this fascinating letter.
The letter to Titus is not the first time that a Paul, or for that matter, Peter, begin their theological discourse starting with God election (Ephesians 1:4; I Peter 1:2). These apostles must have been “hyper Reformed”! Not at all, they are just being theological consistent. The apostles start with God’s action and not man’s action. They start where God starts. Observe how God is proactive for our salvation: “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30).
Do the believers have faith and therefore they are elected or are they elected by God to have faith? The answer depends on who is doing the electing. It is God who elects so that chosen ones will believe and chose to follow Him. Notice that Paul does not separate God election from faith. The elect is chosen to believe. All those who sincerely believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are elect.
THE FAITH OF THE ELECT[1]
God loved us / “If God so loves us, we also ought to love one another” (I John 4:11). “We love Him because He first loved us” (4:19).God chose us / By faith we chose him. “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10).
God justified us / The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17)
God is good / By faith we walk in His good works (Eph. 2:10)
God is perfect / By faith we live according to the perfections of God (Genesis 17:1)
God is holy / Be holy! (I Peter 1:16) Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
The “faith of the elect” is put in line with the “knowledge of truth”, “godly worship” and the “blessed eternal hope.” In other words, the faith of the elect is affirmed by these three trusted witnesses: truth, worship and hope of glory.
The faith of the elect is based on truth. What is truth (aletheia)? The Greek word points to something that is not hidden, it is revealed. Truth is all that which corresponds to the revelation of God. Whatever God reveals is true, whether that be His being, His will, His Word, His work and anything He does.
The truth about our election is revealed and not made up along the way. It is not as if today I am elect and tomorrow I am not elect. Rather, we are called to believe in Jesus Christ and so affirm our election. In fact, by faith, the elect chose to follow Jesus.
Faith based on revealed truth also leads to godly worship (eusebeia). There are many kinds of worship. The prefix (eu) means ‘good.” There is good worship and there is bad worship. Good worship is practiced by the faithful elect and is based on God’s revealed truth.