Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 5

Paul Gives the Qualifications for Elders to Brother Titus Part 2

Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; KJV

Paul continues his detailed description to Brother Titus of the qualifications required for any man to hold the office of bishop/elder in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ beginning with these words, "But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;" (Titus 1:8) (KJV). The English phrase 'a lover of hospitality' is translated by the Greek word philoxenos meaning fond of guests, that is, hospitable: In those days of Christianity, those who served as missionaries and evangelist did not have the convenience of having places like the Holiday Inn or Ramada Inn at their disposal, so instead they relied on the hospitality of other fellow believers in our Lord Jesus Christ to open their homes up to them for accommodations as they traveled about doing the will of God by declaring the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This did not mean that back then they were to open their homes up for anyone, even if they did not believe the truth of God, for the Apostle John spoke to this matter when he wrote these words to the saints then, and to we saints today and of every era and generation, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, nor speak a greeting to him. For he who speaks a greeting to him is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 10-11) (MKJV).

You see the devil can wear camouflage disguising his true nature and his true intentions of hurt and harm with a cloak of sweetness and even kindness, so it behooves the Christian elder to be discerning in this matter of hospitality. Paul was here speaking to Titus about the elders being willing to receive the brethren into their homes even though they were strangers to them that they had never met before. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning this matter of the bishop/elder being a lover of hospitality, "A great and necessary office of love, especially in those times of affliction and distress, when Christians were made to fly and wander for safety from persecution and enemies, or in travelling to and fro where there were not such public houses for reception as in our days, nor, it may be, had many poor saints sufficiency of their own for such uses - then to receive and entertain them was good and pleasing to God. And such a spirit and practice, according to ability and occasion, are very becoming such as should be examples of good works."

The English phrase 'a lover of good men' is translated by the Greek word philagathos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning fond of good, that is, a promoter of virtue: - love of good men. In other words, the bishop/elder being a lover of that which is good will naturally want to be in the presence of men who likewise love that which is good. In contrast, he would not want to go to the home of some man who says he belongs to God, but then suggest that they get together with others and conduct a seance or pull out a weji board or go to a fortune teller, etc., for all these things the One True God declares to be abominations to Him (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). The Prophet Amos said this to the people of God, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so Jehovah, the God of Hosts, shall be with you, as you have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate. It may be that the Lord Jehovah of Hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:14-15) (MKJV). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about the elder being a lover of good men, "The Greek (philagathos) means, a lover of good, and may apply to any thing that is good. It may refer to good men, as included under the general term good; and there is no more essential qualification of a bishop than this. A man who sustains the office of a minister of the Gospel, should love every good object, and be ever ready to promote it; and he should love every good man, no matter in what denomination or country he may be found - no matter what his complexion, and no matter what his rank in life."

The English word 'sober' is translated by the Greek word sōphrōn which means safe (sound) in mind, that is, self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion). In other words, the bishop/elder will be required to interact with many different personalities within people in the Church of God and outside the Church of God, therefore, he must be a man with self-restraint and not overcome by angry passion and having the ability to listen to every viewpoint on subject matters (whether he agrees or disagrees) giving people room to voice their opinions. The bishop/elder should be able to think quickly on his feet and be always sound and decisive in his decisions. The English word 'just' is translated by the Greek word dikaios which means equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about the elder being just, "Righteous in his dealings with men, giving to everyone their due; upright and sincere in his conversation with the saints; and faithful in his counsel, admonitions, and reproofs."

The English word 'holy' is translated by the Greek word hosios meaning (as used here) properly right (by intrinsic or divine character. The bishop/elder is not holy in his human state or condition, but he is made holy by the cleansing Blood of Christ Jesus our Lord and should therefore then seek to walk in the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ by submitting to the leading of God the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle John wrote with these words which speak to the condition of our walk/fellowship with God the Father, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us." (1 John 1:6-10) (MKJV). Here is what Matthew Henry says about being holy, "Holy, in what concerns religion; one who reverences and worships God, and is of a spiritual and heavenly conversation."

The English word 'temperate' is translated by the Greek word egkratēs which means (as used here) self controlled (in appetite, etc.). It is a needful thing that a bishop/elder be self-controlled in his appetites concerning material things because he will have opportunity to be in control of a large portion or maybe all of the Churches money which may tempt him to take for his own personal use and gratification. Likewise, he will be in the company of many fine and attractive women in the Church (many who will be the wives of other men) and he will be tempted (by the devil and his corrupt nature) to entice these women into bed, which will require him to show self-control and remove himself from these situations that may lead to adultery and cause damage to an entire family, including children.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…