Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 19

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 9

Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. KJV

In concluding this Chapter, the Apostle Paul gives Brother Titus a short but forceful pep talk or motivational speech to carry him through to the satisfying of all that Paul has written to him in verses 1-14 of this Chapter. Paul knowing that Brother Titus (being younger in earthly years, as well as younger in time following our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ) needs to hear from him that he is capable or adequate for doing all that Paul has commanded him to do, by and with the power of God the Holy Spirit, so he writes these words to him to close out this Chapter, "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:15) (KJV). The 'these things' Paul refers to are again all that he has already written to him in the above verses commanding him to teach sound doctrine at all times and in all places. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ does no sinner any good if it is not declared in its entirety and without twisting it or making it more comfortable for the sinful ears to hear, for God the Holy Spirit can only convict the hearts of men and women of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:7-11) when they have been convinced of such by the Word of God.

Therefore, Titus and we true believers today and of every era and generation are to 'speak' the truth of the Word of God in season and out of season, just as this same Apostle wrote to Brother Timothy with these words, "Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths. But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2-5) (MKJV). The desire of the Apostle Paul for Brother Titus (just as he had for Brother Timothy) was for each of them (and us today) to never change what the Word of God declares or to never cut out parts of it or to never speak anything that does not align with what the Word of God says, just as the Apostle John warned all at the conclusion of the Book of Revelation with these words, "For I testify together to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add on him the plagues that have been written in this Book. And if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which have been written in this Book." (Revelatiion 22:18-19) (MKJV).

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about Paul urging Titus with the words 'these things speak', "Sound doctrine, the doctrine of grace, the doctrines of salvation and redemption by Christ, of peace, pardon, and cleansing by His Blood; these speak out clearly, plainly, publicly, boldly, and faithfully: and the things which become sound doctrine; the duties of religion suitable to every age and sex, a denying of ungodliness and worldly lusts, a sober, righteous, and godly life and conversation, exhort unto; and encourage the saints to be zealous of good works, and comfort them with the expectation of the blessed hope, and glorious appearance of Christ." When Paul writes, 'and exhort, and rebuke with all authority', he means that Titus and we true Christians today and of every era and generation are to exhort or spur on and encourage those who have wandered away from the truth of the Word of God to turn around, but at the very same time Brother Titus and we are to rebuke, that is, confute and admonish severely, even angrily all those who have wrongly, wastefully, and willingly changed or twisted the Word of God to their own destruction and to the destruction of the souls who listen to them and follow after their false teaching (2 Peter 3:16).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about exhorting and rebuking with all authority, "Convince and reprove such as contradict or gainsay, or neglect and do not receive the truth as they should, or retain it in unrighteousness - those who hear it not with such a believing and obedient mind and heart as they ought, but, instead of this (it may be) live in contrary practices, showing themselves stubborn and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Rebuke with all authority, as coming in the name of God, and armed with His threatenings and discipline, whoever make light of which will do it at their peril. Ministers are reprovers in the gate." Finally, when Paul writes, 'Let no man despise thee', he means for Brother Titus and we true believers today and of every era and generation to not be timid in our speaking and teaching the truth of the Word of God doing it with such exertion, enthusiasm, and energy being forceful in the authority that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and every Word He has spoken from Genesis to Revelation. It is the Word of God that carries authority and subsequently every man and woman of God who speaks and teaches His Word are speaking with His authority. When the truth of the Word of God is resisted, refused, or rejected all together it is not God's messenger that is being despised (although he or she is) but it is actually God who is being despised, just as Saint Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Church with these words, "Therefore he who despises does not despise man, but God, who also has given us His Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:8) (MKJV).

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…