Titus - Titus 1:1

Paul the apostle had several men whom he “saved” and trained in the ministry. Among them were the most notable ones, “Timothy” and “Titus” to whom this letter is written. “Titus” whose name means “nurse” was “a Gentile Christian and Paul's companion in some of his journeys”. We do not know much about “Titus” other than him being a convert of Paul whom he called his “beloved son”, and to whom Paul gives instruction concerning order in the church by establishing elders and other offices within it. These “appointments” were to be used for “the functions of the various groups within the church”, and in chapter one and verse one of this letter, Paul introduces himself as it's writer. We read:

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;

The verse begins, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect,...” Paul began with the word, “Paul” which means “small or little” and was “the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the New Testament”, “a servant” which is the Greek word “doulos” which means “bond or bondman, servant, slave and man of servile condition” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and an apostle” which means “delegate, messenger and one sent forth with orders” “of Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and was “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “according to” which means “down from, throughout, toward and along” “the faith” or “conviction of the truth of anything, belief and the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation” “of God's” which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “elect” or “picked out, chosen, select the best of its kind or class, excellence and preeminence”. Paul established his service, position and authority as it aligned with the “chosen ones” who believe in Jesus Christ.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;” Paul continued, “and the acknowledging” or “precise and correct knowledge” “of the truth” which means “what is true in any matter under consideration, in reality, in fact and certainly” “which is after” or “down from, through out, toward and along” “godliness” which means “reverence, respect and piety toward God”. Paul had the “precise and correct” knowledge of “the truth” which was according to “reverence, respect and piety” toward God.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see straightaway his desire to establish his position of authority which was not only provided by Jesus Christ, but was after “the truth” of God. This is important not only for “Titus”, but also for we who read these words many years later. Paul had a relationship with Jesus Christ which was “according to the faith of God's elect”, and this lead him to his willing “service” to Him. Paul knew “the truth” which was directly “after godliness”, and we should aspire to live in the same manner as he. May the Lord Jesus direct us as we study through this book that we too may live “according to the faith” as the “elect” of God.

Next time we look more into Paul's introduction of the book written to Titus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.