Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Paul – Titus
An Intimate Review
Pt 1
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [Titus 1:1] Apostle Paul notes the evidence of true Christian Apostles in his salutation to Titus.

*apostle Gk #652 apostolos (ap-os-tol-os) it is…
• a delegate and ambassador of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• an official commissioner of Jesus Christ with miraculous powers
• a messenger or one who is sent

Anyone who claims to be an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ should be able to effectively teach and obey His instructions and possess some degree of miraculous power. [I Cor 2:1-4] The Apostolic Office is not usurped but granted by Christ to candidates having the following 3 CRITERION.

1. ACCORDING to the FAITH of Yahweh’s ELECT.

*according/after Gk #2596 kata (kat-ah) it means down in place and time

This particular placement is IN FAITH resident with Yahweh’s Elect and directly imparted by Christ. [Jude vs 3, 4; Heb 12:1, 2] This indicates that born-again believers are personally responsible for discerning whether or not one claiming to be an Apostle of Christ is so, by examining their speech and character. [Mt 5:19; 28:18-20; 7:15-23; Rm 10:14, 15; I Thes 5:12; I Jn 4:1-6; II Jn vs 7-11]

*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
• persuasion and credence
• moral conviction of a religious truth, truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
• reliance upon Christ for salvation and constancy of such profession
• the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

*elect Gk #1588 eklektos (ek-lek-tos) it means select and favorite

All souls belong to and are unconditionally loved by Yahweh. However, HE favors them who are exclusively devoted to HIM in worship through Christ. [Eccl 12:13; Eze 18:4, 19-23, 31, 32; Pro 14:12; Jn 14:6; Rm 3:23-26; 10:1-4; 2:7-11]

2. According to the TRUTH which is after GODLINESS.

*truth Gk #225 aletheia (al-ay-thi-a) it is verity and that which is true

*godliness Gk #2150 eusebia (yoo-seb-i-ah) it is piety, which is…
• reverence for Yahweh and devout fulfillment of religious obligations
• the quality and state of being pious
• dutiful respect and regard for parents and homeland
• a pious act, remark and belief
• the scheme of the pure Christian Gospel

Per this discussion, a SCHEME is a plan, design and program of action to be followed by born-again Christians.

3. In HOPE of eternal life as promised by Yahweh BEFORE the WORLD BEGAN. [Tit 1:2]

*hope Gk #1680 elpis (el-pece) it is expectation and confidence

*before Gk #4253 pro (pro) it means in front of, prior to and superior to

*world Gk #166 aionios (ahee-o-nee-os) it is perpetual time including the past, present and future

*began/begin Eng it means to…
• proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action
• commence, start and to come into existence
• arise and originate

This derives from The Parables of Enoch, by whom Yahweh initiated the distribution of HIS Word of Wisdom on earth. [Eno 37:1-5; 104:10-13]

In [Tit 1:3] Apostle Paul expounds upon how Yahweh MANIFESTED HIS WORD in DUE TIMES through the PREACHING of HIS messengers. It is amazing to think that THE LORD did and still does speak through mortals. This also gives credence to the importance of effective scriptural study when PREACHING or RECEIVING divinely inspired words. [Jn 8:31, 32, 36; II Tim 2:15; I Jn 4:1-3]

*due Gk #2398 idios (id-ee-os) it means pertaining to self, one’s own, private and separate

Here, Apostle Paul is speaking of TIMES wherein Yahweh found it proper to do a particular thing for HIMSELF. In this discourse, this thing is the work of MANIFESTING HIS WORD through the PREACHING of HIS Oracles. It has always been that whoever receives the Word of THE LORD and the person it comes through, can expect to be greatly blessed. [Mt 10:40, 41]

*time Gk #5550 chronos (khron-os) it is a space of time, individual opportunity or a delay

*manifest Gk #5319 phaneroo (fan-er-o-o) it means to render apparent

*word Gk #3056 logos (log-os) it is…
• something said including thought
• a topic or subject of discourse
• reasoning of the mental faculty
• a motive or computation which is a making sense of a thing
• the Divine Expression of Yahweh in the Person of Jesus Christ

*preaching Gk #2782 kerugma (kay-roog-mah) it is a proclamation, especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ

It is one thing to speak a thing of one’s own. However, it is altogether another when one is speaking on behalf of THE LORD. [Jn 12:45-50] In [Tit 1:5] Apostle Paul admonishes Titus another one of his spiritual sons and protégés in Christian Ministry. Titus became the first ordained bishop to preside over the Church of the Cretians. Apostle Paul commissioned him to ORDAIN ELDERS in every city of his jurisdiction.

*ordain Gk #2525 kathistemi (kath-is-tay-mee) it means to place down permanently and designate, constitute, accompany or escort usually for protection

*elder Gk #4245 presbuteros (pres-boo-ter-os) it is one who is older or senior, a Christian presbyter or specifically an Israelite Sanhedrim or a member of the celestial council

In [Tit 1:6-9a] Apostle Paul provides the qualifications for ORDAINED ELDERS, which are similar to those of BISHOPS. These delegates were required to meet the following 14 CRITERIA.

1. Be BLAMELESS as true Christian BISHOPS are and STEWARDS of Yahweh.

*blameless Gk #410 anegkletos (an-eng-klay-tos) it means unaccused and irreproachable

*steward Gk #3622 oikonomia (oy-kon-om-ee-ah) it is an administrator of a household, estate and specifically a religious economy

2. Be the husband of one wife, indicating that polygamy was unacceptable for one serving in the office of a Christian BISHOP or ELDER.

3. Have or be rearing up children who are FAITHFUL and not RIOTOUS or UNRULY.

Apostle Paul believed that one’s ability to shape the character of their children was indicative of their ability to effectively rule their own domestic household and certainly a spiritual household as a Christian leader. [I Tim 3:5; 5:17]

*faithful Gk #4103 pistos (pis-tos) it means trustworthy and trustful

*riot Gk #810 asotia (as-o-tee-ah) it means untamedness and profligacy, which is shameless dissoluteness, reckless extravagance and great abundance

*unruly Gk #506 anupotaktos (an-oo-pot-ak-tos) it means to unsubdued, insubordinate in fact or temper, disobedient and not put under control

4. Not be SELF-WILLED.

*self-willed Gk #829 authades (ow-thad-ace) it means self-pleasing and arrogant

5. Not soon to be ANGRY.

*angry Gk #3711 orgilos (org-ee-los) it means to be easily provoked to anger, very irritable, characterized and produced by anger

6. Not be GIVEN to WINE.

*given Gk #3943 paroinos (par-oy-nos) it means staying near wine, tippling, which is to drink intoxicating liquor habitually to some excess or in small quantities, a toper, which is a hard drinker or chronic drunkard

7. Not be a STRIKER.

*striker Gk #4131 plektes (plake-tace) it is one who has a tendency to be physically aggressive, pugnacious and contentious

• pugnacious is being inclined to quarrel, fight, be belligerent, combative and argumentative
• contentious is causing, involving or characterized by argument and controversy

8. Not GIVEN to FILTHY LUCRE.

*filthy lucre Gk #150 aischros (ahee-skros) it is shameful, base and venal, which is…
• being open to bribery or willing to sell one's influence in return for a bribe
• able of being purchased with a bribe, associated with or characterized by bribery
• be mercenary, which is working or acting merely for money or other reward

9. Be a LOVER of HOSPITALITY.

*lover of hospitality Gk #5382 philoxenos (fil-ox-en-os) it means fond of guests and hospitable

10. Be a LOVER of GOOD MEN or people.

*lover of good men Gk #5358 philagathos (fil-ag-ath-os) it means fond of the good and promoter of the virtuous

11. Be SOBER, JUST, HOLY and TEMPERATE.

*sober Gk #4998 sophron (so-frone) it means safe and sound in mind, self-controlled and moderate in opinion and passion

*just Gk #1342 dikaios (dik-ah-yos) it means equitable in character and act, innocent and holy

*holy Gk #3741 hosios (hos-ee-os) it means right by character and intrinsically divine by nature

*temperate Gk #1468 egkrates (eng-krat-ace) it means masterful, strong in a thing and self-controlled

12. Be HOLDING FAST to the FAITHFUL WORD as TAUGHT that he may be able to by SOUND DOCTRINE EXHORT and CONVINCE GAINSAYERS.

*holding fast Gk #472 antechomai (an-tekh-om-ahee) it means to adhere and hold oneself opposite to and to care for

*faithful Gk #4103 pistos (pis-tos) it means trustworthy and trustful

*taught Gk #1322 didache (did-ahk-ay) it is the act and matter of instruction

*sound Gk #5198 hugiano (hoog-ee-ah-ee-no) it means to have sound health, wellness in body, be uncorrupt and true in doctrine

*doctrine Gk #1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee-ah) it is the function and information of instruction

*exhort Gk #3870 parakaleo (par-ak-al-eh-o) it means to call near, invite and invoke by imploration, hortation and consolation

• implore is to beseech, entreat and beg urgently or piteously, as for aid, mercy and pardon
• hortate is to exhort, incite and give advice
• console is to comfort, give solace, alleviate or lessen grief, sorrow and disappointment of

13. REBUKE GAINSAYERS SHARPLY that they may be SOUND in the FAITH. [Tit 1:13]

*convince/rebuke Gk #1651 elegcho (el-eng-kho) it means to confute, admonish, convict, convince, tell a fault and reprove

*gainsayer Gk #483 antilego (an-til-eg-o) it means to dispute, refuse, answer again, contradict, deny and speak against

*sharply Gk #664 apotomos (ap-to-om-oce) it means abruptly and peremptorily, which means…
• leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal
• imperative, imperious and dictatorial
• assertive and positive in speech, tone and manner

14. Not giving HEED to Jewish FABLES and COMMANDMENTS of men that TURN people from divine TRUTH. Jesus Christ addressed such JUDEO LEADERSHIP on this very topic. However, it applies to all FABLES and COMMANDMENTS not given by Yahweh. [Tit 1:14; Mt 15:9]

*heed Gk #4337 prosecho (pros-ekh-o) it means to apply oneself to, hold the mind toward, pay attention to, be cautious about and adhere to

*fable Gk #3454 muthos (moo-thos) it is a fictitious tale

*commandment Gk #1785 entole (en-tol-ay) it is an injunction, which is a command, admonition, order and precept

In regard to proper teaching of Christian precepts, Apostle Paul gives reason as to why delegates must be rightly qualified to serve in the office of an ELDER and BISHOP. He writes,

For there are many UNRULY and VAIN TALKERS and DECEIVERS, especially they of the CIRCUMCISION <meaning Hebrew leaders of Judaism> whose mouths must be stopped, who SUBVERT whole houses, TEACHING things which they ought not, for FILTHY LUCRE’S sake.
[Tit 1:10]

*unruly Gk #506 anupaktos (an-oo-pot-ak-tos) it means unsubdued and insubordinate in temper and act

*vain talker Gk #3151 mataiologos (mat-ah-yol-og-os) it is one who is an idle, mischievous and senseless talker, one who argues and disputes in a noisy and angry manner

*deceiver Gk #5423 phrenapates (fren-ap-at-ace) it is a mind-misleader and seducer

*circumcision Gk #4061 peritome (per-it-om-ay) it is circumcision itself and the rite thereof

*subvert Gk #396 anatrepo (an-at-rep-o) it means to overturn

*filthy Gk #150 aischros (ahee-skhros) it means shameful and base

*lucre Gk #146 aischrokerdes (ahee-skhrok-er-dace) it means sordid, which is being morally ignoble and base, self-seeking and meanly selfish, vile, dirty, filthy, wretchedly poor and run-down

FILTHY LUCRE describes the innate quality of character possessed by those who teach FABLES and FALSE DOCTRINES, especially erroneous Christian precepts.
It also describes the insatiable desire these devils have for temporal gains generated by teaching FABLES and FALSE DOCTRINES. In Apostle Paul’s day, there were many who went about teaching erroneous doctrines including those of Hebrew descent. Apostle Paul specifically notes that they were doing this for FILTHY LUCRE, as did Judas Iscariot and many FALSE TEACHERS today who claim to be Christians. Unfortunately, this activity will continue until the last generation. In [Tit 1:15] Apostle Paul describes FALSE TEACHERS of his day, namely Judaizers writing,

Unto the PURE all THINGS are PURE; but unto them that are DEFILED and UNBELIEVING is NOTHING PURE; but even their MIND and CONSCIENCE is DEFILED.
[Tit 1:15]

*pure Gk #2513 katharos (kath-ar-os) it means clean and clear

*defiled Gk #3392 miaino (me-ah-ee-no) it means to sully, taint and make morally or ceremonially contaminated

*unbelieving Gk #571 apistos (ap-is-tos) it means actively disbelieving and void of the pure Christian faith, untrustworthy and void of credibility, heathens and faithless infidels, which are the worst kind of sinners

*mind Gk #3563 nous (nooce) it refers to the intellect and mind be it divine or human, thought, feeling, will, meaning and understanding

*conscience Gk #4893 suneidesis (soon-i-day-sis) it is co-perception and moral consciousness

Apostle Paul continues to describe FALSE TEACHERS writing,

They PROFESS that they KNOW God but in WORKS they DENY HIM, being ABOMINABLE, and DISOBEDIENT, and unto EVERY GOOD WORK REPROBATE.
[Tit 1:16]

*profess Gk #3670 homologeo (hom-ol-og-eh-o) it means to assent, covenant and acknowledge

*know Gk #1492 eido (i-do) it means to see and know

*work Gk #2041 ergon (er-gon) it is an act and toil as an effort or occupation

*deny Gk #720 arenomai (ar-neh-om-ahee) it means to contradict, disavow, reject and to abnegate, which means to refuse or deny oneself of some right or convenience, give up, reject, renounce and relinquish [St Jn 3:19, 36; 8:24]

*abominable Gk #947 bdeluktos (bdel-ook-tos) it means detestable and idolatrous

*disobedient Gk #545 apeithes (ap-i-thace) it means unpersuadable and contumacious, which is being stubbornly perverse, rebellious, willfully and obstinately disobedient

*reprobate Gk #96 adokimos (ad-ok-ee-mos) it means unapproved, rejected and worthless…in Yahweh’s perspective

Apostle Paul was a leader who exercised extreme caution when appointing delegates to seats of high influence within Christian Assemblies. Thus, character and proof one’s worthiness and ability to efficiently operate in these offices required proven qualification and adherence to certain ordinances.
<Time 14m19s>