Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 1

Paul's Greeting to Brother Titus Part 1

Titus 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; KJV

The Apostle Paul greets Brother Titus (in this one and only recorded letter we have written to him) in his most common and standard manner by stating who he was by virtue of being made so by God the Father and our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ through the Power of the Holy Spirit beginning with these words, "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;" (Titus 1:1) (KJV). When Paul here describes, designates, and declares himself to be (a servant of God), the little English phrase 'a servant' is translated by the Greek word doulos which means (as used here) a slave (literally or figuratively, voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bondservant. In other words, Paul considered himself to be the property of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is, Christ Jesus our Lord owned Paul's entire being his physical body and the real him (his soul) that lived inside his physical tent or body.

Unlike the African slaves brought over from Africa involuntarily or against their will, Paul and every other one of us true born again believers in Jesus Christ our Lord is a voluntary slave of His, for He never saves any soul against their will. This again is where I believe 'free will' and 'election' meet at the very moment of every person's regeneration, resurrection, and redemption. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about Paul referring here to himself being 'a servant of God', "In several places of his other epistles St. Paul styles himself the servant of Jesus Christ, but this is the only place where he calls himself the servant of God. Some think that he did this to vindicate himself against the Jews, who supposed he had renounced God when he admitted the Gentiles into His Church. But if thus to vindicate himself was at all necessary, why was it not done in his Epistle to the Romans, the grand object of which was to prove that the Gentiles came legally into the Church on believing in Christ, with out submitting to circumcision, or being laid under obligation to observe the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law? This reason seems too fanciful. It is very likely that in the use of the phrase the Apostle had no particular design; for, according to him, he who is the servant of Christ is the servant of God, and he who is God’s servant is also the servant of Christ."

When Paul writes next these words, 'according to the faith of God's elect', he means that he is a servant of God and an Apostle, that is, a sent one for the one specific purpose of declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ or the Gospel of Grace to the hearing of every soul in order that the 'elect' of God, that is, those who were known by God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit before the foundation or the forming of the world. God knows the past, present, and the future of all time because it is He who created or made time, therefore, it should be no surprise or shock to any man or woman that He knows every soul who will truly trust Jesus Christ alone for their salvation through out time that He made. This is what is meant by the 'elect', for our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of His elect while on the earth before His death, buriel, and resurrection from the dead, here are a few of His statements concerning His 'elect', "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect." (Matthew 24:24) (MKJV); "And then He shall send His angels and shall gather His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven." (Mark 13:27) (MKJV); "And shall not God avenge His own elect who cry day and night to Him, though He has been long-suffering over them?" (Luke 18:7) (MKJV).

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about Paul's reference of 'according to the faith of God's elect', "The meaning of the word rendered here, 'according to' - kata - is, probably, with reference to; that is, he was appointed to be an Apostle with respect to the faith of those whom God had chosen, or, in order that they might be led to believe the Gospel. God had chosen them to salvation, but He intended that it should be in connection with their believing, and, in order to that, He had appointed Paul to be an Apostle that he might go and make known to them the Gospel. It is the purpose of God to save His people, but He does not mean to save them as infidels, or unbelievers. He intends that they shall be believers first - and hence He sends His ministers that they may become such." When Paul writes, 'the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness', he means that his Apostleship is also for the purpose of opposing all the false systems of belief that are man made that don't give humanity the truth that will lead them to everlasting salvation in heaven with God and those systems of belief that promote and even celebrate wicked ways of living on the earth that hurt other people physically, emotionally, and spiritually and even cause children to be led down a path that will end in eternal destruction in hell and the lake of fire, remember what our Lord Jesus Christ said about those people who would cause little children to sin, "And He said to the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come. But woe to him through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." (Luke 17:1-2) (MKJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about Paul's words 'the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness', "The Gospel is truth; the great, sure, and saving truth (Colossians 1:5), the Word of the Truth of the Gospel. Divine faith rests not on fallible reasonings and probable opinions, but on the infallible word, the truth itself, which is after godliness, of a godly nature and tendency, pure, and purifying the heart of the believer. By this mark judge of doctrines and of spirits - whether they be of God or not; what is impure, and prejudicial to true piety and practical religion, cannot be of divine origin. All Gospel truth is after godliness, teaching and nourishing reverence and fear of God, and obedience to Him; it is truth not only to be known, but acknowledged; it must be held forth in word and practice, Philippians 2:15-16. With the heart man believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, (Romans 10:10). Such as retain the truth in unrighteousness neither know nor believe as they ought. To bring to this knowledge and faith, and to the acknowledging and professing of the truth which is after godliness, is the great end of the Gospel ministry, even of the highest degree and order in it; their teachings should have this chief aim, to beget faith and confirm in it."

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…