Teach the older men to be … temperate …
Summary: God made wine. Then he told man to be careful using it. Paul says this is especially important for an overseer.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (b) — Clear Minded”Titus 2:2 (b) — Clear Minded
Titus 1:16 — Satan’s Arrow
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Summary: Paul has been describing people who should not be leaders in a church. Today’s passage summarizes why this is important to protect the church fellowship.
Continue reading “Titus 1:16 — Satan’s Arrow”Titus 1:15 (c) — Wheel and Brake
In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Summary: The mind and the conscience are like the steering wheel and the brake on a car. They each have important functions. If they don’t work properly, the car is not safe to drive. The same is true for people.
Continue reading “Titus 1:15 (c) — Wheel and Brake”Titus 1:15 (b) — A Drop of Arsenic
… but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.
Summary: Pure water is rare. Any amount of anything that is not water makes it impure. Like impure water, we cannot makes ourselves pure nor do anything that is pure. Only through Jesus can we be cleansed.
Continue reading “Titus 1:15 (b) — A Drop of Arsenic”Titus 1:12-13 (a) — Anomaly
One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true.
Summary: Looking closely at this passage we find ourselves challenged to look at the meaning of the Greek word, “krino.” Krino means “judge,” and there are many ways of using that word. We need to apply it correctly in this case.
Continue reading “Titus 1:12-13 (a) — Anomaly”Titus 1:11 (c) — Dishonest Gain
—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
Summary: What is honest gain? From that we can learn what dishonest gain is. Knowing what to look for, we can avoid entanglements with those who are working against God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:11 (c) — Dishonest Gain”Titus 1:11 (b) — The Enemy
… because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach …
Summary: Paul has been describing something he has seen many times. The enemy of God has been working hard to derail Paul’s efforts. Paul is very concerned that new believers will also come under fire from the Enemy.
Continue reading “Titus 1:11 (b) — The Enemy”Titus 1:10 (b) — A Waste of Air
… full of meaningless talk and deception …
Summary: Paul points us to a key facet of rebellious people: They are full of meaningless talk and deception. These two things are very real and very dangerous. If we let them, they can steal our lives.
Continue reading “Titus 1:10 (b) — A Waste of Air”Titus 1:9 (c) — Bright Hope, Dark Times
… so that he can encourage others …
Summary: We live in an imperfect world. Sometimes our words go astray or are misused. We need encouragement in the struggle against darkness. God’s Word provides us with a bright hope in dark times.
Continue reading “Titus 1:9 (c) — Bright Hope, Dark Times”Titus 1:8 (c) — Little Robots
… who is self-controlled …
Summary: Remote-control is a great thing when it comes to toys. It is not so great when it comes to people. God offers us freedom from Evil’s remote-control over our lives. All we need is Jesus.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (c) — Little Robots”