Titus
Introduction
1 2
3
Commandments
Contradictions
Absurdities
Good Stuff
Interpretation
Injustice
Intolerance
Women
Family Values
Language
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| Titus 1
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(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.
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- 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
Next Chapter
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
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