He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message …
Summary: The message Paul has given Titus and other church leaders is much more than just a word, it is The Word from Jesus himself.
Today Paul gives Titus, and us, an important message. An overseer, and by extension other church leaders and faithful believers, must hold firmly to the message.
The word “message” is an interesting choice for this passage. The original Greek uses the word, “logos.” In ninety-five percent of English translations, this is translated as “word.” So why did the NIV choose “message” instead?
A word is a single group of letters or sounds. It is a building block that we use to build a sentence. A message involves the use of words, but it is much more. A message comes from somebody and is sent to somebody. A message conveys a whole thought.
It turns out that the NIV’s choice of “message” is very appropriate. The Greek word “logos” is much more involved than a simple building block of speech. The word “logos” coveys a process of communicating as well as the content of the message and the thinking behind it.
What Paul is telling us is that a church leader must hold firmly to … what?
Paul is a unique person in the Bible. I would venture to say that there is none other like him. If Jesus had not chosen Paul to be an apostle, our world would be a very different place. But he did. Jesus picked the one man who was eminently qualified to build a bridge from the Old Covenant to the New. He is also eminently qualified to be God’s messenger.
Paul’s message is from Jesus himself. It is grounded in a thorough knowledge of Jewish Scriptures. He understands the Mosaic laws and the covenant. When his eyes are opened to the truth about Jesus, he is able to explain that truth in a way that no other person can. Peter attests to this when he writes:
“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:15-16)
Paul is in the business of spreading the Good News about Jesus and organizing the people in each town who choose to believe. He does not want them to become confused or forgetting what they have been taught. He does not want the Lord’s message to become diluted or polluted. Because of this, he insists that those responsible for guiding and teaching the church, and its leaders, hold firmly to the trustworthy message.
Application: Do a self check. Are you holding firmly to the trustworthy message of Scripture?
Food for Thought: What makes Paul’s message especially trustworthy?
The message is trustworthy because of the source. The source or origin of the message is God Himself. 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17; 2 Peter 1: 20 -21.
Thank you, Rich!
What makes Paul’s message especially trustworthy?
All Scripture is inspired by God, God-breathed. Peter wrote, “Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection He told them that “‘everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” In Proverbs we are told, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20–21, Luke 24:44–45, Proverbs 3:5-6
By God’s grace, His Word has been written, His truths are being preserved and protected for all eternity. These truths are being communicated to each of us, understood as our hearts and minds are opened and we are taught by the Holy Spirit.
People claiming to be christians have told me, they believe in Gods word as it was originally written, when they know not one of the original manuscripts exist today, (this allows them to pick and choose what they will accept). Some say it is out of date, and does not apply as it contradicts the wisdom of man today. Recently a man from the pulpit explained a specific portion of Proverbs was not inspired because it was too burdensome.
The fact is, God has done all He will do for the eternal salvation and a Holy relationship with mankind. Mankind must make their own individual decisions regarding repentance of their sins and humble acceptance/obedience to His truths which are clearly communicated to those who will listen and apply.
John 3:16, John 16:8-11
Our mission is to study, apply and translate Gods Message from Christianese into actions and simple English words which can be clearly understood by those who watch and are willing to listen. Help setting them free as Christ has set us free.
Ron,
Thank you! You and Rich hit on the same note: The message is from God, ergo it is trustworthy. At the end of the day that is the real question — Do you believe in God? If so, then why is it so hard to believe he could get a book published if he wanted to? 🙂
Rich is always ahead of me, I find comfort in knowing God has placed you with someone who can handle you.
Blessings Always,
Ron
Ron, you do quite well. And yes, he may be able to handle me but he has his hands full doing it! 🙂
I do have my hands full in so many ways 😉. Ron, I consider it an honor to be on the same page with you in addressing any topic. It shows I am in good company with someone wiser than myself.
I like how earlier today I was reading how Paul started out his letter to Titus as a servant of God and how everyone stated how we know the words in the Bible are God-breathed.