Titus 1:5–9

Titus 1:5–9

Titus 1:5–9 (NIV)
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

5 Because of this I left you behind in Crete: that you might set in order (or, set right, correct) the things left unfinished and that you might appoint elders in every town, as I directed you, 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having faithful (or, believing) children, not being accused of wild living or rebellion. 7 For it is necessary for an overseer to be above reproach as God's steward, not stubborn-willed (or, arrogant), not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully (or, argumentative), not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled (in control of one's thoughts, thoughtful, prudent, measured), upright (just), holy (devout, pious), disciplined (in control of one's impulses and desires), 9 holding firmly to the faithful word as it has been taught, so that he will be able both to encourage (edify, exhort) with sound doctrine and to refute those who oppose it.

1.    The proper order of God’s church (5).
        a.    Setting in order what is unfinished
        b.    Appointing elders in every town

2.    The proper qualities of the leaders of God’s church (6–9).
        a.    Blameless in his home life
                i.    The husband of one wife
               ii.    Having faithful (or, believing) children
        b.    Blameless in his personal conduct
                i.    5 Negative Qualities:
                      1.    Not stubborn-willed or arrogant
                      2.    Not quick-tempered
                      3.    Not addicted to wine
                      4.    Not a bully or argumentative
                      5.    Not greedy for money
               ii.    6 Positive Qualities:
                      1.    Hospitable
                      2.    Loving what is good
                      3.    Self-controlled (in control of one’s thoughts)
                      4.    Upright – Just in his relationships with people
                      5.    Holy – Devout in his relationship with God
                      6.    Disciplined (in control of one’s impulses and desires)
        c.    Faithful in sound doctrine and able to teach it
                i.    Holding firmly to the faithful word as it has been taught
               ii.    Able to teach it:
                      1.    Able to encourage the saints with sound doctrine
                      2.    Able to refute/persuade the ‘opponents’