Titus 1:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

NIV: 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.

NASB: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

CSB: The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.

NLT: I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.

KJV: For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

NKJV: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

Verse 5 explains the background to Paul's letter. Paul and Titus had ministered together evangelizing the people of the island of Crete. Paul later left, with Titus remaining. This took place sometime after Paul's house arrest (Acts 28), which ended around AD 62, and his second Roman imprisonment which likely occurred sometime in AD 65. This second stint is recorded in the book of 2 Timothy.

Titus remained in Crete for two reasons. First, there was unfinished business when Paul left. Titus was the man responsible for completing it. This phrase may be general in nature, with the later parts of the letter offering details of what this unfinished work included. Second, Titus was to "appoint elders in every town…" The good news was that many towns had a positive response to the Christian message. There were likely house churches in each "town," though not necessarily every small village. However, these new churches lacked leaders. Titus was to "appoint" elders. This was not a vote, but rather a process in which Titus selected godly men based on the principles given in verses 6–9.

Titus 1:5–9 explains the requirements of those who lead a church. Elders and pastors must meet these criteria in order to serve in those roles. Paul lists issues such as moral character, control over their family, and an ability to teach the truth. Paul gives a similar, equally important list in 1 Timothy 3:1–7. Also crucial is the ability to confront and correct those who teach false doctrines.

Chapter 1 introduces the letter from Paul to Titus. Paul describes the requirements for being appointed a church leader, such as an elder or pastor. The text then transitions into a description of how to “rebuke” false teachers. These are the requirements Paul expects Titus to follow when selecting leaders for the local churches of Crete.

Chapter 1 focuses on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Specific instructions are given for elders, and a means for dealing with false teachers. Chapter 2 explains the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 will focus on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.