Titus 1:7

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; FOR A BISHOP MUST, [ anupotakta (G506)]. The emphasis is on must. I said "blameless;" for the very idea of a "bishop" (an overseer of the flock: here substituted for 'presbyter,' Titus 1:5, to express his duties) involves the necessity for blamelessness, if he is to influence the flock. Ellicott quotes Dr. Pearson ('Minor Works,' 1: 271-278), that episcopal government was 'sub-apostolis, ab-apostolis, in-apostolis.' STEWARD OF GOD. The greater the master the greater the virtues required in His servant (Bengel) (1 Timothy 3:15...

7._For a bishop ought to be blameless, as a governor of the house of God _He again repeats, that they who aspire to the office of a bishop ought to retain an unspotted reputation; and he confirms it by this argument, that, because the Church is the house of God, every person who is appointed to govern it — is constituted, as it were, governor of the house of God. Now, he would be ill spoken of among men, who should take a scandalous and infamous person, and make him his steward; and therefore it would be far more base and intolerable to appoint such persons to be rulers of the household of God. The Latin word _dispensator _ (steward or manager) — employed in the old translation, and retained by Erasmus — does not at all express Paul’s meaning; for, in order that greater care may be exercised in the election, he adorns the office of a bishop within this honorable eulogy, that it is a gove...

5-9 The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works....

Verse 7. _NOT SELF-WILLED_] μη αυθαδη. Not one who is determined to have his own way in every thing; setting up his own judgment to that of all others; expecting all to pay homage to his understanding. Such a governor in the Church of God can do little good, and may do much mischief. _NOT SOON ANGRY_] μη οπγιλον. Not a choleric man; one who is irritable; who is apt to be inflamed on every opposition; one who has not proper command over his own temper....

FOR A BISHOP MUST BE BLAMELESS - 1 Timothy 3:2. AS THE STEWARD OF GOD - See notes, 1 Corinthians 4:1. A man, in order to perform the duties of such an office, should be one against whom no accusation could lie. NOT SELF-WILLED - Compare 2 Peter 2:10. The word - αὐθάδης authadēs - does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means, properly, self-complacent; and then, assuming, arrogant, imperious; Robinson, Lexicon - The gist of the offence - the very “head and front” - is that of being self-complacent; a trait of character which, of ne

EXPOSITION TITUS 1:1 _Knowledge _for _acknowledging, _A.V.; _according to _for _after, _A.V. A SERVANT OF GOD (δοῦλος Θεοῦ); so in the superscriptions: Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ;_ _James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jud 2 Peter 1:1; Revelation 1:1. St. Paul also calls himself "the servant of Christ" ...

FOR A BISHOP MUST BE BLAMELESS,.... This shows that a bishop and an elder is the same; and the Syriac version here renders it, "an elder"; the character or qualification necessary to him is the same as before, and in like manner to be understood; unless it should more particularly refer to his faithfulness in the discharge of his office: since it follows, AS THE STEWARD OF GOD; one appointed by God over his household and family, the church, to give to everyone their portion of meat in due season; one that dispenses the manifold grace, or various doctrines of the grace of God, and mysteries of Christ; and of such an one it is required, that he be faithful, both to his Lord and master, to the trust committed to him, and to the persons under his care. NOT SELFWILLED; not doing things in the worship and house of God, in the ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances, according...

While reading this chapter, we must understand that Titus was sent to Crete, to superintend the preaching of the gospel throughout that island. Crete was at that time inhabited by a people who were only partially civilized, and sunk in the very worst of vices. Paul, therefore, tells Titus to speak to them about things which would hardly be mentioned to Christians nowadays. 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; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; to Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour._

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The salutation (Titus 1:1)_ 2. Instructions concerning elders (Titus 1:5) 3. Warnings against false teachers (Titus 1:10) Titus 1:1 Paul calls himself in writing to Titus “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” for he speaks in these introductory words of God's elect, and their faith in Him; and the promise of eternal life, God, who cannot lie, gave before the dispensations began; and that His Word is now manifested through preaching which was committed unto him by our Saviour-God. God's elect are those who have trusted in Christ. Th

THE APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. Paul renews in writing instructions delivered orally to Titus during his recent visit to Crete. As in Asia (1 Timothy 3:1 ff.), the safeguard against error is a wisely constituted ministry, faithful in conserving the true doctrine. For the elders-' qualifications _cf._ 1 Timothy 3:1 *. The lists are essentially identical, the chief difference being the addition here of just, holy, etc., and the omission of not a novice. 6. BLAMELESS: 1 TIMOTHY 3:10 *. HUSBAND, etc.: 1 Timothy 3:2 *. CHILDREN, etc.: the reason is given in...