When is the last time that you wrote a letter to someone? Modern day technology allows us to write texts or emails that are immediately received by the recipient. But some of us remember a time when those were not available. You had to use a pen and paper to actually write out the words and then mail the letter to the person. When I was in college, I wrote letters to my future wife which were signed at the conclusion of the letter. This is the way we write letters today.
When Paul wrote his epistle to Titus, he “signed” his name at the beginning of the letter. And he introduced himself in a formal way. The reason for this was that this was an official letter sent by a representative of God and inspired by God. It was not to be taken lightly and was directed not only to Titus but also to the people under his care. As you read his introduction, you will notice that Paul uses some very specific phrases to convey truths that would help those who would later read the rest of his epistle. And that is why we will be studying the introduction today.
- What does it say? (Titus 1:1-4)
Paul introduced himself as a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was an apostle for the faith of those whom God had chosen, for the truth which leads to godliness, for the hope of eternal life which God (who cannot lie) promised before time actually began. However, God had recently revealed His word through preaching, which had been committed to Paul according to the commandment of God who is our Savior. He was writing to Titus whom he considered to be a true son in their common faith. He wanted him to experience grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who is our Savior. - What does it mean?
Paul’s position had been given by God (Titus 1:1a).
At the beginning of verse one, Paul introduces himself as a bondservant and apostle. Those two positions seem to be quite the opposite of the other. A bondservant or slave is a lowly position of service. During New Testament times, slaves could be purchased and owned. A slave would serve the person that had purchased him and was not a person whom others would look up to or even feel they should listen to. This is what Paul considered himself to be to God. An apostle, on the other hand, is a position of honor similar to our modern-day ambassador. An apostle was someone sent to represent and speak for God. The early apostles were also leaders within the church who were looked up to by Christians as the authoritative spokesman for God. Paul considered himself to be an apostle of Jesus. How could Paul claim to be both a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus? This simply shows that Paul was humble but also aware of his responsibility. While he didn’t think he was “something special,” he knew that God had chosen him for a special purpose.
Paul’s purpose had been designed by God (Titus 1:1b-3).
Although Paul’s introduction seems to be a long, rambling sentence, it is clear that he knew God’s purpose for his life. In these verses, he gives four parts of God’s purpose for him. First, he was sent for the faith of God’s elect. Second, he was sent to convince people to understand the truth of God which results in godliness. Third, he was sent to present the hope of eternal life. Fourth, he was sent to preach these things. We will look at each of these individually.
He was sent for the faith of God’s elect (1b). One of the truths of Scripture that is difficult to understand is election. While the Bible clearly calls on people to repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus, it also points to God’s work behind the scenes. The Bible reveals that God elected to (or chose to) save certain people despite their sinfulness. Those whom He chose to draw to Himself, will at some point repent of their sins and believe in Jesus. However, God chose that this would take place after each individual was confronted about his sin, repented, and believed. While we could talk for a long time about God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility, it would be better to be thankful that God has chosen to save any of us, and that some people do respond. Paul was sent to preach the truth to people and those whom God had chosen believed.
He was sent to convince people to understand the truth of God which leads to godliness (1b).1 This concise statement brings up two questions. What truth is he talking about, and how does it agree with godliness? It seems to me that Paul’s main objective in this epistle was to teach Titus and his church how Christians are to act. They needed to understand that being a Christian should lead to godly living. He later speaks about the character qualifications of elders (1:5-9), the poor character of most Cretans (1:10-16), how older women, young women, young men, and servants should act (2:1-10), how salvation should affect our lives (2:11-15), the change in believers (3:1-8), and what actions to avoid (3:9-11). All of these actions can be summarized in the word godliness. His point is this: When you understand the truth of the gospel, you must understand that it is designed to change your life.
He was sent to present the hope of eternal life (2). Paul served as an apostle with the hope of eternal life. Hope in this instance is not a “hope so” but a sure confidence that it will be received. Do you remember what Jesus said about eternal life? He said that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This means that whoever believes in Jesus will receive not just a chance at eternal life but will receive it. In another place, Paul claimed that “we are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” It is not a possibility or a probability but a certain fact that all believers will have eternal life with God when they die.
But what is this hope based on? It is based on the character and promise of God. Paul stated that his hope of eternal life was given by the God who cannot lie. Consider what the Bible says about this. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19) The truth is that God is incapable of telling a lie. When He says something will happen, it will. Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). God has promised eternal life to all who believe. He never lies and His promise was made before time began. Because of this, we have confidence that every believer has eternal life.
He was sent to preach these things (3). God’s promise of eternal life was made before time began, but nobody was there to hear that promise made. So, how will anyone know about that ancient promise? God’s current method of getting that message to people involves preaching. What exactly is preaching? Preaching is someone proclaiming a message. It can happen in a church building or at someone’s house. It doesn’t require an outline or illustrations. It simply involves someone speaking God’s truth to other people.
This is what God had called Paul to do. Paul was given the message of eternal life through Jesus and he preached it wherever he went. Thankfully, God blessed Paul’s endeavors. As he spoke in each city, people believed, and their lives were changed.
Paul’s prayer was that Titus would be blessed by God (Titus 1:4).
In verse four, you can tell that Paul had a close relationship with Titus. He called him a true son in our common faith. This seems to indicate that Paul was the Christian who led Titus to faith in Jesus. They were both believers. They both had the same, identical faith in Jesus. But Paul was like a spiritual father to Titus. That special relationship led Paul to pray that Titus would receive grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
What exactly was Paul praying that Titus would receive from God? Grace is the unmerited favor given to us by God. Mercy is God withholding the judgment that we deserve. Peace is that inner calmness that God gives to those who are trusting Him. Paul prayed that God would give all of these to Titus as he attempted to teach the people on the island of Crete. He would certainly need all of these. But he would need to realize that he would only find them in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. - How does it apply?
Are you confident that you have eternal life?
Paul told Titus that eternal life was something he could confidently expect not just hope for. I have met some people who hope for the best at the end of their life but who don’t have that firm confidence that God will receive them. Instead of putting their faith in the firm promise of God, they focus on themselves. Have they been good enough? Have they done enough to earn God’s favor? Sadly, they don’t understand that eternal life is “the gift of God” (Rom. 6:23).
How about you? You have heard the promise of God that “whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” You have also heard that God cannot lie. As God has worked in your heart, have you believed His promise? None of us deserve eternal life with God. But He knows that. He knew we would be undeserving sinners and so He sent His perfect Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead three days later showing us the truth of God’s promises. If you will put your faith in Jesus, God will save you from the judgment you deserve and give you eternal life. Will you believe His promise today?
Has the truth changed your life?
Paul mentioned knowing the truth that accords with godliness. He meant that God’s truth is not just something to be believed. It is also something that will change your life. We have read about people whose lives have been changed when they believed in Jesus. Sinful people with bad character and wicked lifestyles have been completely changed when they became believers in Jesus. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). If you have believed, this is what God has done for you.
But it shouldn’t stop there. The truth of salvation through faith in Jesus is not just a one-time change. It is something that should lead us to a life-long change. That is why Paul refers to it as “the truth which accords with godliness.” After you become a believer, God desires that you proceed to live a life that is godly. In other words, He wants you to strive to become more like Jesus every day. This type of change takes time and effort. But with God’s help, your life will become a testimony to what God can do in the lives of those who believe and obey Him. Are you willing to do that?
Conclusion
Paul ended his introduction to this epistle by praying that Titus and the people in Crete would experience God’s grace, mercy, and peace. That is still God’s desire for us today. But those blessings are only available to those who have believed, who have been changed, and who are allowing God to change their lives. As you consider what we have read today, I hope that you will believe and be obedient to God and will as a result receive His mercy, grace, and peace.
Bibliography
Kent Jr., Homer A., The Pastoral Epistles, Chicago: Moody Press, 1986, orig. 1958.
Litfin, A. Duane, “Titus” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee Vol. V, 1 Corinthians through Revelation, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983.
Footnotes
- ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας τῆς κατ’ εὐσέβειαν can be translated as follows:
CSB – “knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”
ESV – “the knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness”
KJV – “the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness”
Mounce – “the knowledge of the truth that produces godliness”
NASB95 – “the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness”
NKJV – “the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness”
Mine – “understanding of truth that concerns godliness” ↩︎