SUMMARY.--Why Titus Was Left. The Qualifications of Elders. False Teachers Who Must Be Stopped. The Character of Cretans. Condition of the Cretan Church.

      1-4. A servant of God. Paul usually calls himself a "servant of Christ." Jas 1:1 uses the form here.
      According to. His apostleship looked to the promotion of the faith of God's elect.
      And acknowledging of the truth. Bringing men to acknowledge the truth.

      2. In hope of eternal life. All his work as an apostle was in hope, etc.

      3. Manifested. God has manifested the eternal life promised by his word in the gospel.

      4. To Titus, mine own son. Concerning Titus, see Introduction. The language here shows that he was one of Paul's converts.

      5, 6. For this cause left I thee. Paul had then been in Crete, attended by Titus, and had left him there to set the churches in order.
      In Crete. See Introduction.
      The things that are wanting. Not only in organization, but in instruction and practice.
      Ordain. "Appoint," in the Revision. The mode of appointing is not here indicated.
      Elders. See notes on 1Ti 3:1-6.
      In every city. A plurality were to be appointed wherever there were churches.

      6. If any be blameless. The [286] appointment is conditioned on finding the right kind of men. For a discussion of the qualifications, see notes on 1Ti 3:1-6.

      7-9. For a bishop. An elder and bishop were then different names for the same office. See notes on 1Ti 3:1.
      Must be. Unless he has these traits he must not be appointed.
      Blameless. No charge against him. Compare 1Ti 3:2,3. See notes there.

      8. A lover of hospitality. See note on CD001