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Titus — Chapter 1

Qualifications of Leaders in Crete

"That you may put what remains into order, and appoint elders in every city."

— Titus 1:5

Titus is a Pastoral Epistle written to Titus, Paul's collaborator in Crete. Chapter 1 deals with church organization and the refutation of false teachers.

👑 Qualifications of the Elder (1:5-9)

Titus 1:5-9
"This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination."
The qualifications in Titus are similar to 1 Timothy 3, but with an emphasis on family. 'Believing children' — the leader’s home is the laboratory of his leadership. The central qualification: 'He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it' (1:9).

⚠️ False Teachers in Crete (1:10-16)

Titus 1:12-13
"One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."
Paul quotes the Cretan poet Epimenides (~600 B.C.) — one of the rare examples of Paul using pagan literature. The sharp rebuke (apotomos) is necessary for the health of the Church. Sound doctrine (hygiaino — healthy) is the antidote to sick teaching.