ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Titus 1

Titus 1:1–4 Opening. The doctrinal themes in this section occur again in the other doctrinal sections of the letter (2:11–14; 3:3–7).

Titus 1:1 servant of God. Paul often uses “servant” (or “slave”) to describe himself (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1) and other Christians (Eph. 6:6; Col. 4:12; see also 2 Pet. 1:1). Typically, though, Paul refers to himself as “servant of Christ.” This is the only place he uses “servant of God.” This wording suggests a direct connection to Moses, David, and OT prophets who were described as servants of God (see 2 Sam. 7:4, 8; Ps. 105:26; Jer. 7:25; Amos 3:7). This places Paul among those who have been God’s spokesmen from the beginning. Furthermore, a slave in the first century did not act on his own authority; he acted on his master’s authority. This concept of received authority is expanded by the phrase apostle of Jesus Christ (see note on Rom. 1:1). For the sake of points to the purpose or goal of Paul’s apostleship. He labors to see people saved, coming to faith and the knowledge of the truth (see 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25). accords with godliness. The true gospel always produces godliness in its followers. This introduces a serious problem with the false teachers: they did not exhibit godly character.

Titus 1:2–3 Hope is not wishful thinking. It is confidence that the things God has promised will occur. God never lies. It is against God’s character and thus impossible for God to lie (see Heb. 6:18). This truth was particularly meaningful in the Cretan context (see Titus 1:12–13 and note). God our Savior. On God as “Savior,” see note on 2 Tim. 1:8–10. See also Titus 2:13 and note. See also chart.

Titus 1:5–9 The Occasion: The Need for Proper Leadership. Paul reminds Titus of the directions for ministry he had left with him. A “virtue list” shows the sort of leadership needed for the new churches in Crete.

Titus 1:5 The churches in Crete do not yet have elders, and there are things that need to be put . . . into order. This suggests that these churches are still fairly young. Titus is there as Paul’s delegate to get these churches properly established. in every town. In all NT churches elders (plural) govern the churches (see notes on Acts 14:23; 20:17). Here “elder” is used interchangeably with “overseer” (Titus 1:7). The rest of the NT shows that these two terms, as well as “pastor” (see Eph. 4:11, esv footnote), refer to the same office (see note on 1 Tim. 3:1).

Titus 1:6 husband of one wife. See note on 1 Tim. 3:2–3. His children are believers can also be translated “his children are faithful.” The primary argument for translating it as “believers” is that, in the letters to Timothy and Titus, this word almost always refers to saving faith. Those who prefer “faithful” argue that no father can guarantee the conversion of his children, but he can ordinarily ensure that they act in a “faithful” way. The word “children” applies only to children living at home and still under their father’s authority.

Titus 1:9 able to give instruction. A pastor or elder must have the ability to teach. This includes both teaching what is right and correcting error. The reason for this emphasis is clear from what follows (vv. 10–16). sound doctrine. See note on 1 Tim. 1:10.

Titus 1:10–16 The Problem: False Teachers. The description of the false teachers contrasts directly with the descriptions of what the elders should be (vv. 5–9).

Titus 1:10 especially those of the circumcision party. The false teachers emerged particularly from among Jewish Christians.

Titus 1:11 They must be silenced. One responsibility of church leaders is to stop false teaching when it arises in the church. shameful gain. These teachers are motivated by greed (compare 1 Tim. 6:5).

Titus 1:12–13 Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. Crete was famous in the ancient world for its immorality. a prophet of their own. Paul does not criticize Cretan society directly. He quotes a Cretan author and then agrees with him (this testimony is true). Of course Paul means this as a generalization. The quotation seems to be from Epimenides of Crete, although his writings are known only through other authors’ quotations of him (see note on Acts 17:28).

Titus 1:14 Jewish myths. On “myths,” see note on 1 Tim. 1:4. The specific content of these myths is unknown. The false teaching in Titus is more directly tied to a Jewish background than the false teaching described in 1 and 2 Timothy (see Titus 1:10).

Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure. In light of v. 14 and earlier teaching by Jesus (Luke 11:41) and Paul (Rom. 14:20), the issue here seems to concern Jewish food laws.