Titus: Grace Precedes Obedience - Week 1 (Titus 1:1-4)
Titus 1:1-4
〰️
Titus 1:1-4
〰️
Titus 1:1-4 〰️ Titus 1:1-4 〰️
The Book of Titus
This week, we begin our new series in the book of Titus. The hope of this series, and one of the key doctrinal focuses of the letter, is to teach that the mercy and grace of God are the foundation of our obedience. We walk and live in obedience to our Lord, not to earn favor from God, but in response to His mercy and love towards us. We touched on joyful obedience in our last series, "The Church," and in this series, we'll take an in-depth look at the "why" behind following Christ.
The letter to Titus was written by Paul to his disciple, Titus, after leaving him in Crete, a southern island of Greece. Paul speaks of Titus in a familial way, calling him his "true son in [their] common faith" (v4). Paul left Titus and is now writing to him "to set right what was left undone" (other translations say "to put what remained into order") in order toestablish the church and community of believers on the island. This letter is Paul's "manual" for building a church, givingdoctrinal refreshers, qualifications for elders, and reminders to remain in sound teaching.
1:1-4
In this week's passage, Paul opens his letter to Titus, introducing himself and reaffirming the doctrine held by Paul and the assembly of believers with whom Titus was communing. There is so much doctrine in this passage that we could spend an entire series and beyond just in v1-4.
In v1, Paul states the reason for his writing, "for the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." Paul is writing not just for Titus, but also to encourage the faith and knowledge of all those in Crete. This is our first encounter with the order of sanctification we're hoping to key in on during this series. "Knowledge of the truth leads to godliness." Our obedience comes because of God's grace towards us. In our context, with merit-based rewards in the workplace and in society in general (I do, therefore I get), it can be incredibly easy to default into a life of legalism, where we do to merit or earn God's favor. But Paul is teaching us the opposite here: the knowledge of the truth, which is God's mercy toward us (as those He chose to redeem, v1), leads to godliness, in becoming more like Christ, living lives of joyful obedience because of what God has done, not because we desire to earn anything from Him.
Verse 2 is a continuation of this statement from Paul, where he reaffirms the Lord's sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness. Here, Paul teaches of God's goodness in not being able to lie, and His eternality, in having promised (planned) redemption of humanity, through Christ, "before time began." And this hope we read of is not some wishful thinking or a lofty desire that we want to come true. The hope of a follower of Christ is "a vital part of the message of the gospel" that we look forward to with great anticipation.¹ We know it to be true. Christ is our hope, and so we desire His return and our eternal unity with Him.
Verse 3 reveals yet more foundational doctrine of our Lord. "In his own time" God does what He wills and what He knows to be best, both for our good and for His glory. Paul reaffirms God's eternal nature and loving wisdom. The Lord protects us and leads us as a father protects and leads his children. We also see another hint of God's control and our lacking, in God's revelation of His word. We often feel as if we have control of our own salvation in approaching God, but ultimately it is His kindess and mercy in revealing Himself to us, each at the right time, to draw us to himself. For many, it is a person or event that prompts us towards Himself, but in the end, "God our Savior" has earned and deserves credit for the initiation and working power of salvation.
This passage closes with Paul addressing the recipient of this letter, Titus, whom he calls his "true son" in their "common faith." (v4). Paul and Titus were seemingly close in relationship, having labored for the Kingdom together, with Titus being left to lead the efforts of the church in Crete. The following verse, Paul gives a reminder of the reason for him leaving Titus there: to establish elders, right teaching of the Gospel, and set expectations for living as followers of Christ.
There is so much to unpack each week in the book of Titus, and seven weeks is not nearly enough to dive in-depth, so we hope and pray that in discussion, you are able to go further in unpacking all that this letter has to offer.
Discussion Questions
Could someone read Luke 7:36-50 for us?
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
How is God represented in this passage? What traits does Paul describe here?
How is God's goodness revealed in this passage?
Which specific qualities of God mentioned in this passage give you the most comfort? (Eternality, wise, good, all-knowing, etc.)
How does the knowledge of truth lead to godliness? What would that look like where you work, play, and live?
1. Ray Van Neste, CSB Study Bible: Notes, (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1936.