Preaching is that wise means of God by which the wisdom of the world is shown to be foolishness, and the folly of the gospel, as the world conceives it, is shown to be true wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21).
James Montgomery Boice

The Epistle of Paul to Titus

The Epistle of Paul to Titus

{1:1} Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truthwhich is according to godliness, {1:2} in hope of eternal life, whichGod, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; {1:3} but in hisown seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I wasintrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour; {1:4} toTitus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God theFather and Christ Jesus our Saviour. {1:5} For this cause left I theein Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that werewanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; {1:6}if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children thatbelieve, who are not accused of riot or unruly. {1:7} For the bishopmust be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry,no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; {1:8} but given tohospitality, as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy,self-controlled; {1:9} holding to the faithful word which is accordingto the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine,and to convict the gainsayers. {1:10} For there are many unruly men,vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, {1:11}whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teachingthings which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. {1:12} One ofthemselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars,evil beasts, idle gluttons. {1:13} This testimony is true. For whichcause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, {1:14}not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn awayfrom the truth. {1:15} To the pure all things are pure: but to themthat are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mindand their conscience are defiled. {1:16} They profess that they knowGod; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, anddisobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

{2:1} But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:{2:2} that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith,in love, in patience: {2:3} that aged women likewise be reverent indemeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of thatwhich is good; {2:4} that they may train the young women to love theirhusbands, to love their children, {2:5} [to be] sober-minded, chaste,workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, thatthe word of God be not blasphemed: {2:6} the younger men likewiseexhort to be sober-minded: {2:7} in all things showing thyself anensample of good works; in thy doctrine [showing] uncorruptness,gravity, {2:8} sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that isof the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.{2:9} [Exhort] servants to be in subjection to their own masters, [and]to be well-pleasing [to them] in all things; not gainsaying; {2:10} notpurloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn thedoctrine of God our Saviour in all things. {2:11} For the grace of Godhath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, {2:12} instructing us, tothe intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should livesoberly and righteously and godly in this present world; {2:13} lookingfor the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God andour Saviour Jesus Christ; {2:14} who gave himself for us, that he mightredeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for hisown possession, zealous of good works. {2:15} These things speak andexhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

{3:1} Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, toauthorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, {3:2} tospeak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing allmeekness toward all men. {3:3} For we also once were foolish,disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living inmalice and envy, hateful, hating one another. {3:4} But when thekindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, {3:5}not by works [done] in righteousness, which we did ourselves, butaccording to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regenerationand renewing of the Holy Spirit, {3:6} which he poured out upon usrichly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {3:7} that, being justifiedby his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternallife. {3:8} Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things Idesire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who havebelieved God may be careful to maintain good works. These things aregood and profitable unto men: {3:9} but shun foolish questionings, andgenealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they areunprofitable and vain. {3:10} A factious man after a first and secondadmonition refuse; {3:11} knowing that such a one is perverted, andsinneth, being self-condemned. {3:12} When I shall send Artemas untothee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: forthere I have determined to winter. {3:13} Set forward Zenas the lawyerand Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting untothem. {3:14} And let our [people] also learn to maintain good works fornecessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. {3:15} All that are withme salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with youall.

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