Titus
Introduction

1 2 3

Titus 1	(1:1) "Paul" Although Titus claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it, along with the other pastoral epistles (1 and 2 Timothy), was written by someone else long after his death. (1) (1:2) "God, that cannot lie" God, like George Washington (but unlike the author of Titus who falsely claims to be Paul) cannot tell a lie. Does God lie? Can God do anything?
1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.	(1:6) "The husband of one wife" A bishop should have only one wife. I guess it's OK for laymen to have several. Did "Paul" change his mind about marriage? Is polygamy OK? (1:7-8) "A bishop must be ... just." Has the ever been a just person? (1:10-11) "There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped." Jews are unruly liars "whose mouths must be stopped." (1:12) "The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies." (1:14) "Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments" Disregard "Jewish fables and commandments." Like most of the bible, maybe?
1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
1:15 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.
1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Rebuke the Cretans.

The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. 1:12

Don't believe fables.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables. 1:14a

Don't obey the laws and commandments of men.

Not giving heed to ... commandments of men. 1:14b

1. Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introlduction to the Early Christian Writings, 3rd ed. (2004), chap.23

Wikipedia

Epistle to Titus

Authorship of the Pauline epistles: The Pastoral Epistles