Counterfeit Coins

Titus 1: 10-16

(10) For there are many rebellious men,

"For" gives the justification for the requirement that elders must be able to expound and defend the Truth (verse 9). This is essential.

The many rebellious men are generally an external danger facing the churches on Crete, refusing to subordinate themselves to any authority.

empty talkers and deceivers,

They are empty talkers, fluent and impressive, but accomplishing nothing constructive; and deceivers whose glib tongues exercise a fascination over others to lead them astray.

especially those of the circumcision,

The most active offenders were Jewish "believers."

(11) who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

Paul demanded that these people be silenced. This is a moral imperative, to be refused opportunity to spread their teachings. This is necessary because they are upsetting whole families, or "ruining whole households," disturbing the faith of whole clans of people, teaching things they must not as Christian truth, but twisted and misleading. All to just fill their own pockets to their personal dishonest financial gain.

(12) One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

(13) This testimony is true.

These false teachers were all the more dangerous in light of the known nature of these Cretan people on whom they preyed.

Paul quoted a line from Epimenides (6th-5th century B.C.) who was held in high honor on Crete as a poet, prophet, and religious reformer. This quote came from one who had intimate knowledge of his own people and esteemed by them.

Paul gave this evaluation in order to underline his authority without exposing him to the charge of being anti-Cretan. Perhaps Paul's own observations confirmed this verdict.

For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,

Paul tells Titus to "rebuke them sharply," to refute these false teachings, so that the listeners will be healthy in their beliefs, and not be impaired by feeding on unhealthy doctrine.

(14) not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

True believers will turn away from Old Testament apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings that are not accepted into the Canon of Scripture; and also ritual observances that the false teachers sought to make binding on Christians. There is a close connection between false doctrine and evil character.

(15) To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

Evidently these Cretan false teachers were making distinctions between ceremonially clean and unclean, laying the emphasis on outward appearance. However, material things receive moral character from the inner attitude of the user. Jesus also spoke of this inner quality of thought (see Matthew 15:10-11; Mark 7:14-23; Luke 11:37-41). Basically, we find what we're looking for.

But those who do not have the faith are victims of their own mind and conscience, as God says that our own heart itself is already desperately wicked and lies to us (Jeremiah 17:9), so everything they think about is poisoned by their defilement.

(16) They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

These teachers claim to know God and be Christians, but their lifestyles and actions prove they aren't (I John 2: 4). Three terms describe them:

(1) Detestable, loathsome, causing horror and disgust because of their hypocrisy;

(2) Disobedient, insubordinate to God's truth because of their willful adherence to their man-made rules and regulations; and

(3) Worthless for any good deed, disqualified by their impurity from performing anything morally good. They are like coins, when tested found to be counterfeit, to be utterly rejected as worthless. 

These are the kind of teachers we are to run from, and never listen to at all. And Paul is very stringent in his directions to Titus in this letter. There are real problems there on Crete in the church, and Paul spares no words in his condemnation of these false teachers who are destroying so many precious people.

O my Father, please help us to recognize these character flaws in every person we might consider sitting under. Teach us to examine every prospective pastor or teacher to determine if they are qualified to be trusted, and even then, if they are positively preaching or teaching Your true Word.

My Father, teach us discernment, and help all Your children to know You better, and love You more, then we will also love one another as You have loved us.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Elder Qualifications

Titus 1: 5-9

Now Paul gets into the meat of the message.

(5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

The reason why Paul had Titus to stay in Crete was for him to straighten out these believers, and set up godly men to lead each congregation there. Here are the qualifications he is to look for:

(6) namely, if any man is above reproach,

He must find men who are blameless, unaccused, irreproachable. Having a clean reputation.

the husband of one wife,

This, again, means a "one-woman man," in a polygamous society; not having an eye out for the "next one."

having children who believe,

His little children are to be obedient, and adult children ought to be believers.

not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 

He is not to be able to be accused of profligacy, reckless extravagance, excess, riot; or insubordination or being unruly.

(7) For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward,

Someone who is to be an example to the flock is to be so respectable and godly that there would be nothing that anyone could find to hold against him.

not self-willed,

He doesn't try to get his own way.

not quick-tempered,

Having patience to hold his temper when provoked.

not addicted to wine,

This is obvious, though it doesn't forbid just one drink or two with a meal.

not pugnacious,

Never throwing the first punch.

not fond of sordid gain,

This is a very common temptation, to focus on "filthy lucre," sordid gain, the almighty dollar.

Now lets look at some positive qualities.

(8) but hospitable,

Hospitality is the opening of the heart and home freely.

loving what is good,

Preferring the righteous rather than living on the edge.

sensible,

Sanity of mind, sober.

just,

Equitable, having to do with justice in relationships.

devout,

Purity from defilement, holy, hallowed, pious, sacred.

self-controlled,

Temperate, maintaining control over one's own passions.

(9) holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching,

Firmly believing what is actually true, according to how Paul has presented it.

so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Each leader must be both able to teach boldly what is right according to God's Word, and also to be able to counter error effectively.

Leaders must embody the characteristics they want to instill in their followers, and church elders and overseers are to live out the godliness they're teaching the congregation.

These are qualities we all need in our lives, so those we are sitting under are to demonstrate them, so we all can model our responses after them. We in the congregation also need to know these qualities, so that we can find leaders that do embody them, and not be deficient in any.

God had Paul write these to Titus, and include this letter in His written Word, so that we all could learn how to look at our leaders to see if they are embodying these qualities.

O my Father, please help us all to live out these character qualities in our lives, whether we are leaders or simply sit in the congregation. And those of us who are just satisfied to "sit, soak and sour," please build a fire in us to get up and out to the missionary field around us!

O Father, You are so good, and so great. You have planned out Your great Plan of the Ages even before You began to make it, and now You are working our lives out according to Your Plan. Everything we choose, You are using to further along Your Plan, whether our decisions are good or bad, You use it.

And when we decide to live our lives according to Your ways, doing Your work as Your hands and feet, in the power of Your Spirit, then You will reward us!

Father, You are so generous to give us rewards for what You are doing in and through us! It's You doing it, yet You give us the benefit!

My Father, help us all to share Your love with every living person in every nation of the world! Let every one of them know how to accept Your free, gracious and generous gift of Salvation!

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Titus, Paul's Partner

Titus 1: 1-4

This short letter follows Paul's letters to Timothy, and it stands on its own in being rich in doctrinal and practical matters--worthy of our study.

Paul wrote this to his representative who was facing a difficult situation in the church on the island of Crete.

(1) Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

As the servant of God he is God's agent; and further, he is also Jesus Christ's apostle, one who has been called, equipped and sent forth, authorized in the office of laying the foundation of the church.

for the faith of those chosen of God

For the purpose of laying down the standard of the faith that God has given to His elect, those He has chosen.

The Biblical teaching on election is for believers, intended to be very practical, assuring faithful, struggling believers that their salvation is all of God from beginning to end. His grace gift.

and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

This knowledge of the truth is linked to faith, and is an intellectual and a heart response to divine reality as revealed in the Word of Truth, the Bible. This will result in a moral character.

There is an intimate connection between knowing God's Truth and living a life that is in accordance with God's high moral standards. This is a lesson that the believers on Crete needed to learn.

(2) in the hope of eternal life,

This Christian character of life is grounded in the expectation of living with God in His eternity. This is our future.

which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

God has told us about this in His written Word, that He promised before He even began to create. His plan that He is now carrying out.

(3) but at the proper time manifested, even His word,

This pronouncement, conceived in the mind of God, was shown in history through the clear, public preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The appropriateness of the time is evident from the existence of the Roman peace that gave a favorable setting for the preaching of the Gospel, and the development of Greek (the most exact and precise language ever) as the linguistic medium of its world-wide proclamation.

in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,

The message is what God entrusted to Paul to preach, and its purity must be maintained to retain its power and authority. This is what needed to be preserved on the island of Crete.

(4) To Titus, my true child in a common faith:

Titus is first introduced in Galatians 2: 1-3 as Paul brought him with him from Antioch to Jerusalem, an uncircumcised young Greek believer, as a worthy example of his work among the Gentiles, becoming a believer under Paul's preaching.

He had proved to be a valuable partner and fellow-worker to Paul in handling sensitive assignments in Corinth concerning a collection to be taken to benefit the believers in Judea, and also to help straighten out the tangled affairs there and counter the work of opponents of Paul (I Corinthians 16: 1-4; II Corinthians 9: 2, 12: 18; and II Corinthians 2: 12-13; 7: 5-7, 13-15; and II Corinthians 8: 6-7, 16-24; and II Corinthians 12: 17-18).

Paul had noticed the deplorable condition of the church on Crete when they apparently were ministering there together, and after a short time he left Titus there (1: 5), trusting him to also handle this situation.

Titus may have been working there for some time when Paul wrote this letter to him.

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

This is Paul's characteristic greeting. "Grace" is the unmerited favor of God at work in the life of the believer, and "peace" is the resultant experience of harmony and well-being in the life of the reconciled. This blessing is from both the Father and the Son as one Source.

We have one God. He makes Himself known to us as a Father who thinks, plans, decides; and a Son who does the work and makes actual the Father's ideas; and a Spirit who is the life and power to get it all done. All one God.

O my Father, You gave Titus to Paul to work with Paul in his work that You gave him to do to lay the foundation of belief for Your church. And Titus was resourceful, energetic, tactful, skillful in dealing with difficult situations, and effective in conciliating people. He was extremely helpful to Paul.

Father, teach me how to also be like Titus in my work in Christ to spread the seed of the Gospel, to work with people in resourceful and tactful ways. Teach me how to be skillful in dealing with all sorts of situations, and give me effectiveness in conciliating people who aren't getting along. Let me be a peacemaker and a friend to the friendless.

O Father, send out all of Your children, strengthen all of us to be faithful witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ, to share with others how much You love us all and have already met all of our needs, especially the most important ones.

My Father, You have loved us more than we could ever deserve. In Your mercy You have placed on Your Son all the wrath we deserve, and in Your grace You have given us everything that You want to enrich us with, even though we don't deserve any of it. You have decided to create us to be Your family, and nothing and no one can ever override Your will.

O Father God, You have planned out everything, then You have made everything according to the way You wanted it to be, and You are guiding the moments of every day of every year to work out Your plans for each of us and for all of us.

You alone are God, You alone are sovereign, You alone have the power and authority to do everything You want to do. There is no one else, and there will never be anyone else, who would be able to question You to account, as You are our Standard.

Everything else will be measured by You, whether it is righteousness or beauty or intelligence or Truth. Anything that can be measured, is judged by You as our Source of everything, bar none.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

The Lord Stood With Me

II Timothy 4: 16-22

(16) At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.

Paul is gracious to not hold against his friends that they were all nowhere to be found when he needed them.

(17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,

When all we have is the Lord, the Lord is all we need.

so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear;

Through his defense of the Gospel, Paul was able to share God's love throughout all of Rome, to places he wouldn't have been able to preach had he not been a prisoner.

and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.

This could be either literal or figurative, but he was released after his first imprisonment.

(18) The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly Kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Even though he is in prison again, and he may not be released this time, he is still trusting God to bring him safely to his destination, His heavenly Kingdom. And he breaks out in spontaneous praise.

(19) Greet Priscilla and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

He's saying hello to his friends and partners, Priscilla and Aquila, who may have been staying in the home of Onesiphorus in Ephesus.

(20) Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.

Erastus stayed behind in Corinth when Paul continued on, and when Trophimus got sick and couldn't travel, Paul left him in the care of friends in Miletus.

(21) Make every effort to come before winter.

Paul has asked Timothy to come as soon as he can, and to bring him his warm cloak and his study materials; and now he asks him to try to get there before it gets cold.

Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

And he sends greetings from some of the church members there in Rome.

(22) The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

And Paul ends this letter with a blessing. 

O my Father, please help me to be gracious like Paul was toward the end of his life. Help me to follow Paul as he followed Christ. Teach me how to love others as You have loved me, and to reach out to the world, to be a soldier in Your army to reach every living person in all the nations of the world.

Father, every person needs to have enough understanding to be able to make an informed choice to accept Your gracious and generous gift, or to reject it.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Dealing With Opposition

II Timothy 4: 9-15

Now Paul writes of some personal concerns. 

(9) Make every effort to come to me soon; 

Paul asks Timothy to come visit him as soon as he can. Then he explains why. 

(10) for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; 

If this is the same Demas that Paul wrote about to Colosse (Colossians 4: 14) and to Philemon (Philemon 24), then he had been one of Paul's co-workers in Rome as he sat in prison. Now Paul is saying that he loved this present world, and took off from Rome to Thessalonica, a Roman district capital of Macedonia and a major port. So maybe he was bought off. 

Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 

This is the only mention of Crescens, so we don't know anything about him, but Titus was saved under Paul's preaching, he traveled with him, and became the first Bishop of the church on the island of Crete. These two helpers Paul had had in Rome have left him to go to other places. 

(11) Only Luke is with me. 

He says that Doctor Luke is the only one left there to help him. He is in prison, so he depends on other people to go and do what he cannot right now. 

Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 

He tells him to bring Mark with him. This is the same Mark that a few years ago he refused to take along on the second missionary journey, because he'd wimped out on the first one and went home early. Now he's telling Timothy that Mark is useful to me for service. (Read about Paul's and Mark's rocky relationship here.)

(12) But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 

Tychicus is a "beloved brother and faithful minister" (Ephesians 6: 21) from Asia, the Roman province in the western portion of Asia Minor, who was one of Paul's secretaries who helped him write his letter to the Colossians. Paul trusted this brother to carry his news and messages (Ephesians 6: 21, Colossians 4: 7). And he has now sent him to Ephesus. 

(13) When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 

Paul is concerned to have some items he had left with his friend Carpus while he was staying at his house in Troas: a cloak that he will need as winter is approaching, and also he wants to have access to his research and his Scriptures. 

(14) Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 

Even though this man heard the Gospel, he considered his worldly wealth as more important than his eternal state, and worked against this way of life that cut into his finances. But Paul doesn't harbor a grudge against him, he just leaves him in the Lord's hands. 

(15) Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 

Paul is warning Timothy to be aware of this man's tactics. As people turn to God from idols, they're not buying these little and bigger statues and knick-knacks any more, and Alexander's sales are diminishing, and he doesn't want to change. So he attacks the message, and tries to get people to stay in the paganism and idolatry that finances his business. Follow the money. 

Paul is telling him, and us, too, to beware of people who work against our faith. He is handing off the baton to his protege, and on to us, too. If someone is attacking us we must be careful in how we handle the situation. We do not want to antagonize people with our passionate opinions if they don't agree. Of course they will come back at us. We all need to be wise and discerning, and if we are speaking gently and compassionately, then the offense will be in the Cross. 

We always need to be aware of how we talk to people. 

O my Father, please help us to put our brain in gear before we open our mouth! We will find that more and more there will be people who oppose us, for whatever reason, unprovoked. And we need to be ready to give a reasonable answer. We need to learn to find in the other person something that we can identify with, to lower the tensions. 

Father, Your word says that, "a soft answer will turn away wrath" (Proverbs 15: 1), so teach us how to answer an angry person with gentleness and compassion. Help us to see the hurt and wounding underneath and how to speak consolation and comfort to that in them.  

O Father, strengthen us and send us out as Your messengers and missionaries, to broadcast Your Love to all the world. Lead us to Your embryonic children, to share Your plan of salvation with them and draw them to the birth into Your family. And give us compassion and gentleness to speak with those who don't realize that they are looking for You in their searching. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus! 

Ready To Hand Off The Baton

II Timothy 4: 6-8

Paul has just encouraged Timothy to fulfill all the aspects of his ministry to the church at Ephesus as the senior pastor. 

He is passing the torch, the baton, to his protege to carry on the next leg of the relay. 

(6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 

Paul has given his all to his Lord, and he is ready to give his life in sacrifice for the glory of God. He's ready to go. 

(7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 

He has fought the good fight of maintaining the faith, he has finished the course that the Lord laid out for him, and through it all, he has kept the faith and never allowed his thinking to be deterred from what he received from the Lord. 

(8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day; 

Paul is declaring that the reward that Jesus has promised him is already prepared for him to receive it on the Day that the Lord will sit at the bema seat to allot our rewards to us for service in His power. (For information on this, see Our Great Prize and Our Highest Ambition.)

and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 

Every person who has been born into God's family will be anticipating the Lord's Glorious Appearing; and taking courage and strength and perseverance in knowing our God is protecting us and leading us. And as we walk in His ways along the path He has placed our feet upon, to do His will and accomplish His work as His hands and feet; then we will love His appearing and also receive crowns, including the crown of righteousness. 

O my Father, thank You so much for all of Your precious promises! You are a Promise Keeper! You know us and everything You have planned for us, and You have told us what is ahead and have revealed to us Your Plan. And You would not tell us anything that You have not already done! So, we can trust everything You have said! 

My dear Father, I have staked my life and my eternity upon Your Truth as written in Your holy Scriptures. I know You are trustworthy, and You are the Source of everything I need, both here and for all eternity. 

Father, send out Your human army, Your team, Your workers, into all the world, so that every living person will hear how much You love us all. Everyone needs to have a clear and informed choice to accept Your gracious and generous offer of rescue and salvation and redemption. 

And those who knowingly refuse You will have no excuse. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! 

Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort

II Timothy 4: 1-5

Now Paul is really serious. 

(1) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingdom: 

A solemn charge is a very serious and important matter, especially in calling to witness God the Father and God the Son, who is Lord and Judge over all, and will appear to set up His universal Kingdom. 

What is he so serious about? 

(2) preach the Word; 

The Gospel must be preached! How else can people know God? And only the Gospel, not the opinions of the preacher. 

be ready in season and out of season; 

It doesn't matter if it's convenient or inconvenient.                                                   

reprove, 

This is elenxon, "to convict, reprove, correct." 

rebuke, 

This is epitimeson, "Censure, admonish." 

exhort, 

This is parakaleson, "comfort, exhort, encourage." 

with great patience 

He is to do these things with macrothymia, "much longsuffering." 

and instruction. 

This is didache, careful "instruction, teaching." 

Rebuke and exhortation must be accompanied with teaching, or they will only be accusing and not do any good at all. And it must all be accomplished with patience and love for the one confronted. 

(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 

Paul warns of the time that was still future to him when people will not "put up with" or "listen to" sound doctrine. There are many today who fit this description. 

but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 

They only want to hear what they want to hear, they only want confirmation that others are as deluded as they are. 

(4) and will turn away their ears from the Truth and will turn aside to myths. 

They will refuse to listen to reason and truth, and will only accept worldly ideas and cultural myths that they find more colorful and interesting than godly wisdom. 

(5) But you, be sober in all things, 

You, Timothy; you, Christian; keep your head. Keep your self-control under all circumstances, wide awake with eyes wide open. 

endure hardship, 

Again Paul admonishes Timothy (and us) to endure hardship. We will face opposition, and we must be strong against it, fully aware, while also being supernaturally patient and wise in our words. 

do the work of an evangelist, 

Timothy did not have the gift of evangelism, he was a senior pastor, but he was still to do the work of an evangelist, to preach the gospel as well as to share his own testimony personally. 

This is what we all are to do, we don't have to be pastors or elders or deacons or teachers or have any ecclesiastical authority at all; if we belong to Christ, we are His witnesses. Every Christian is to talk to others about God and what Jesus accomplished for us on the Cross, what we have experienced personally. 

fulfill your ministry. 

Timothy has been given great responsibilities, and Paul is encouraging him to fulfill his calling to ministry by packing it full with the things Paul has been exhorting him to do in these two letters. He is to, as far as he can, make a complete and effective service in his ministry there at Ephesus. 

Everything Paul writes to Timothy also applies to each one of us, also. We are God's children, His royal family. When He saves us, He leaves us here to do His work. His work is to build His Kingdom. We are His hands and feet, to accomplish the growing up of His children, as well as bringing other children into His Kingdom. 

And Jesus is coming soon, to cleanse this Earth and establish His righteous rule over the whole world. We haven't much time left. Every person in every nation needs to hear God's Truth, whether they want to or not, because we don't know who are His embryonic children that need to be brought to the birth, and who are those who have already rejected His love. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!