Paul closed his first letter to Timothy with a forceful, commanding charge to his young protégé:

“But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:11–12

He differentiated Pastor Timothy from those who, “eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Unlike those deserters, Timothy was to constantly recall making his own public confession of faith before many witnesses in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus.

Paul’s intention was to hold Timothy accountable to his personal commitment to a life of service and ministry as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

“I charge you,” Paul writes, “to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Timothy 6:13-14

Paul’s Powerful Words

A remarkable quality in Paul’s writings is the way in which he presents his theological insights in a lyrical, poetic style–as in this powerful concluding prayer:

“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”  1 Timothy 6:15—16

Such powerful writing is packed with truth for our times as well as Timothy’s. Imagine what it was like to listen or to watch as Paul was dictating or writing out this letter!

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:17—19

His final charge is to guard the gospel—the good news he was to proclaim as a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ:

“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21.

Paul’s Letter to Titus

This short epistle begins with a restatement of Paul’s credentials and purpose. In the opening verses we learn he was a Servant, Apostle, and Preacher—three words that sum up the identity of a most remarkable individual.

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior”  Titus 1:1-3

Paul greets Titus as his co-laborer and spiritual son:

“Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” Titus 1:4

Paul’s high regard for Titus becomes clear when we consider the previous assignments Paul entrusted to him. Years earlier Paul appointed Titus to organize the Corinthians’ gift for the church in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:6), and he wrote to the Corinthians,

“I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.” 2 Corinthians 8:16-17

Paul wanted the Corinthians, and others, to know:

“As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 8:23

The Work in Crete

Now Titus had a challenging new assignment, caring for the churches on the Island of Crete.

“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” Titus 1:5

Paul outlines the qualifications for elders in a list that is similar to the list given in 1 Timothy. It was important for Titus to be discerning when appointing elders in Crete because of fierce opposition to the gospel there.

“For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.” Titus 1:10-11

Paul was uncompromising, even quoting a Cretan prophet who once said “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” To which Paul adds:

“This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.” Titus 13-14

Titus’s Teaching Responsibilities

In contrast to the false teachers, Paul instructs Titus to teach only sound doctrine.

He describes three key groups of believers and what to emphasize to them.

• “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.” Titus 2:2

• “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way the live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.” Titus 2:3

• “Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:6–7

Anyone who teaches God’s Word to others – anywhere – will benefit by studying and applying Paul’s instruction on how to teach well.

“In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7—8

Paul hoped that whoever shared their faith would,

“Make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”  Titus 2:10

Interestingly, this phrase comes from Paul’s directive to those who were slaves in his day. Today, Christians worldwide are dedicated to freeing those who are trafficked and trapped in soul-destroying slavery. And many of those efforts are making breakthroughs and making God’s care for every individual apparent in even the darkest of inhumane conditions. Paul and Titus would be delighted!

Words to the Wise

In Titus 3 Paul returns to admonitions he often includes in his letters:

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” Titus 3:1—2

Advice for pastors like Paul, Timothy and Titus—but what if every Christian prayed for their brothers and sisters in Christ to daily exhibit these same characteristics?

Do you think we might change the world? Will you find a way to turn these ancient prayers into daily requests that you bring to the Lord’s attention?

Encouragement to Go On

The challenges Titus faced in the Cretan culture were not unique and Paul encouraged his colleague with reminders of what the Lord had accomplished in other lives.

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:3—8

Paul closes his letter with a mix of final instructions and personal greetings. His pastor’s heart breaks out in a final challenge:

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” Titus 2:14-15

Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy

At this point in our Chronological Bibles Paul turns from Titus to Timothy again and gives us an intimate glimpse into his spiritual life, including his love and powerful prayers for his friends.

“I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.” 2 Timothy 1:3-4.

Paul knew Timothy’s story by heart and he wanted Timothy to live up to the spiritual legacy that had been passed on to him.

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” 2 Timothy 1:6—7

Paul’s Suffering

Timothy also knew Paul’s story, and it included intense suffering for the gospel. For instance, as Paul wrote this letter he was languishing in a cold, dark prison for the sake of Christ. Shockingly, Paul had even been deserted by all of his co-workers and friends from the province of Asia. Only one individual, Onesiphorus, stood by Paul during his imprisonment in Rome and refreshed his spirit.

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” 2 Timothy 1:12

No matter what happened to Paul, he wanted Timothy to have courage and carry on with the ministry.

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14

As we will see tomorrow, Paul never lost his passion for Christ and the gospel – all the way to the end of his life.