Titus - 5

A Study Of The Book Of Titus.

Lesson 5 Chapter 1:8 – 9

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 8 “But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
1. Remember we are talking about “Bishops” here verse 7 “For a bishop must be blameless” Verse 6 spoke about all elders but here a Bishop or Pastor or Overseer is speaking about these men. Now we leave what a Pastor should have and now we see the positive qualities a Pastor should have.
2. “But a lover of hospitality…” – The Greek here means - fond of guests – The command here is to be one to welcome guest who travel. This was a necessity more in the bibles time than today. However it is a Pastor duty to be one who is kind to strangers.

a. Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

b. This passage should make us all think; Hebrews 13:1 - 2 "Let brotherly love continue. (2.) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." I still believe this happens today.

c. 3 John 1:4 - 7 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (5.) Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; (6.) Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: (7.) Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles."

3. “…a lover of good men…” – This means - a promoter of virtue - John Gill says “the Syriac version renders it, "of good things"; as prayer, preaching, reading, meditation, spiritual conversation, and every religious exercise:” – It could be that it means of good people and good things.
4. “…just, holy, temperate” The word “temperate” means - strong in a thing (masterful)” He must be strong in Gods word and able to over come the temptations of the world. If the church has one person who must remain true to Gods word it must be the Pastor. The words “Just” and “Holy” renders what we are to all be but it applies more to a Pastor because it could cost him his work. 1 Timothy 6:10 - 12 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11.) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (12.) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
1. Verse 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. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught…” The word “temperate” in verse 8 which means - strong in a thing – and here means to be strong enough to lead the church to war against the enemy.

a. This is strong on the doctrines and the scriptures. It is the Pastor that must be strong in the word because he is responsible for the upkeep of the church and her soundness.

b. A Pastor himself can lead a church into heresy so therefore he must keep to the doctrine he was taught. We must all remember there are no new doctrines. The very same doctrine that Jesus, John, Paul and etc taught is the same doctrine we teach today.

c. J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible says "A better rendering of this verse would be: "Holding fast the trustworthy word according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound teaching and to convict the gainsayers (heretics)."

d. I don’t believe the average church member understands the pressure or the charge of responsibility a Pastor is under toward God.

e. These things are a “charge” and MUST be kept by the Pastor.

f. Job said; Job 27:6 “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.”

g. Revelation 2:25 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

h. Titus 2:7 - 8 "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (8.) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

2. “…that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The true word of God is the only proof we have. You cannot prove a lie but the truth always proves itself.

a. The word of God overrides all other writings, Gill, Pink, Spergeon, Edwards or etc. Gods word is absolute truth and only Gods word.

b. Acts 18:28 "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."

c. John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

d. 2 Timothy 2:25 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”