Fitness Or Unfitness (1:5-16)
Neal Pollard
As Paul gets to the heart of his correspondence, he relates why he left Titus on the island of Crete. Namely, it was to set things in order (5). That constituted several specific tasks as well as a general conduct of life. Execution of these commands spelled the difference between “sound doctrine” (8), “sound in the faith” (13), “the truth” (14), and “good works” and “those who contradict it” (8), “insubordinate” (10), “teaching for shameful gain” (11), “devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth” (14), “the defiled and unbelieving” (15), and those who “profess to know God” yet deny him by works that are “detestable, disobedient, unfit…” (16).
Fitness necessitated appointing qualified elders (5-8). As was seen in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, there are qualifications for elders (called overseers in the other context). These two lists are parallel. Each helps interpret and understand the other. But given the moral and cultural challenges in Titus’ field of work, having men of the quality as necessitated by these qualifications was vital. Think about how men like this could influence and change the culture for Christ. A community, the Cretans, renowned as “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (12) needed Christlike role models of righteous conduct (6), godly family men (6), moral uprightness (6-7), godly temperament (7), honesty in business (7), men of chaste and holy character (8), and men knowledgeable of God’s Word (9). They would impact the community by leading congregations who faithfully served God, and they would impact the community by being ambassadors for Christ in their daily interaction with the world around them. The difference made by such men would be incredibly telling.
Fitness necessitated holding firm to the trustworthy word (9-14). Along with right character, these same men needed to have a skillful level of knowledge of the Word (9). With it, he needed to properly instruct (9) and rebuke those who contracted sound doctrine (9). Through teaching, these men needed to silence those who were damaging whole families with their improperly motivated ideas (11). They had to have the moral courage to “rebuke them sharply, that they might be sound in the faith” (13). Elders cannot depend totally on the preacher to do this work. Preachers can provide invaluable assistance, and they need to be deep students of Scripture, too (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:15). Here, however, Paul lays this burden on elders, too. As those who shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28), they are those who will give an account (Heb. 13:17).
Fitness necessitated matching profession and performance (15-16). The false teachers are unfit (16). They were hypocrites and walking contradictions. They would say one thing, but they believed and did something else. Elders and all faithful Christians must keep their lives, consciences, and works pleasing to God. They must be what they say should be done. Great damage is done when this principle is botched.
When I was in school, they had fitness tests. When we grow up, they are called physicals. When things go wrong, they may be called stress tests. But, God’s Word, among its other contributions, is an objective measurer of spiritual fitness. It reconciles our words and our works. Claims are backed up by conduct. Paul urges Titus to start at the top. As the leadership goes, so goes the church. Men who would be elders–and Paul expected that every church would have men qualified to step up to this responsibility–set the pace!
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