When I read about the island of Crete it makes me think of the movie and ride at Disneyland “Pirates of the Caribbean”. If you have never seen any of the movies (there are 5), they depict the life of pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, in a very interesting way. Anytime he does something dishonest he claims “Pirate” as an excuse. For, pirates are known to be dishonest and greedy. And in biblical times that was what the people of the Island of Crete were known as.
Crete is an island southeast of Greece along the imaginary boundary between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. As of 67 BC the Romans were in charge in Crete. In the Complete Guide to the Bible by Stephen M Miller it says of Crete “This island descends into a culturally deprived hideout for mercenaries and pirates and it becomes a port of last resort for traders on their way to somewhere else.” Other ancient authors have also made equally disparaging comments about Cretans, who apparently had a reputation for lacking ethical principles, stealing, and harboring robbers and pirates. A Greek historian by the name Polybius living in the second century BC made the following comments about Cretans: Money is so highly valued among them, that its possession is not only thought to be necessary but in the highest degree creditable. And in fact, greed is so native to the soil in Crete, that they are the only people in the world among whom no stigma attaches to any sort of gain whatever. Now, with few exceptions, you could find no habits prevailing in private life more steeped in treachery than those in Crete, and no public policy more inequitable (Polybius 6.46-47).
Wow may that never be said about our group! In fact, Paul himself, agreed with, “a prophet of their own, when he says ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons’ This testimony is true.” in chapter 1 verses 12 and 13 of Titus. It should be noted that right before and right after the negative comment in Titus 1:12 about Cretans in general, there is a specific reference to Jewish practices. In 1:10-11 we have the following statement: “For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.” These two verses clearly echo the comments of Polybius about the Cretans’ unscrupulous greed for money. But it is significant that it is specifically connected with the Jewish teaching of circumcision. The implication is that there were some Jewish groups that taught circumcision for the sake of monetary gain.
The only other place where Crete is mentioned in the bible is in Acts 2:11 it mentions that some Jewish Cretans came to Pentecost, so we know that there was a population of Jews on Crete. Paul and Titus are rumored to have spent some time on Crete establishing the Christian churches. It was with these pirates and mercenaries Paul left Titus.
Titus was a Greek, apparently from Antioch, who is said to have studied Greek philosophy and poetry in his early years. He seems to have been led to faith in Christ by Paul, then he served as Paul's secretary and interpreter. He was never circumcised proving it isn’t necessary for salvation! Titus is not mentioned in Acts but 13 other times in the New Testament
Towards the close of the year 56, Paul, as he himself departed from Asia, sent Titus from Ephesus to Corinth, with full commission to remedy the fallout cause by Timothy's delivery of 1 Corinthians and Paul's "Painful Visit", particularly a significant personal offense and challenge to Paul's authority by one unnamed individual. During this journey, Titus served as the courier for what is commonly known as the "Severe Letter", a Pauline missive that has been lost but is referred to in 2 Corinthians.
After success on this mission, Titus journeyed north and met Paul in Macedonia. There the apostle, overjoyed by Titus' success, wrote 2 Corinthians. Titus then returned to Corinth with a larger entourage, carrying 2 Corinthians with him. Paul joined Titus in Corinth later. From Corinth, Paul then sent Titus to organize the collections of alms for the Christians at Jerusalem. Titus was therefore a troubleshooter, peacemaker, administrator, and missionary.
Early church tradition holds that Paul, after his release from his first imprisonment in Rome, stopped at the island of Crete to preach. Due to the needs of other churches, requiring his presence elsewhere, he ordained his disciple Titus as bishop of that island, and left him to finish the work he had started. The New Testament does not record Titus’ death, although it is thought that he returned to Crete and finished out his life there.
Although there is a small fraction that believes that Paul didn’t write the book of Titus, the common belief is that he is the author. It is thought that the Book of Titus was written sometime between 62 and 65 AD. Probably around the same time as 1 Timothy.
The book of Titus is very much like the Timothies books. Although it focuses a lot on “good works” not in place of the grace of God but because of it. Paul starts out Titus with his greeting and acknowledging that his hope lies in Eternal Life that is promised by God, who never lies. And confirms that his calling is from God.
Paul goes on to explain why Titus was left on Crete (the island of pirates 😉), to find elders for the churches that were there. In this island of misfits Titus was to search out true Christians to be elders. The churches on Crete were just as susceptible to false teachers as any other church, so Paul directed Titus to establish a group of faithful elders to oversee the doctrinal purity and good conduct of the believers on Crete. Again, listing out (like in the Timothies) the requirements for Elders. It is always good to read and re-read what it takes to be an excellent leader in the Christian communities; it challenges us to step up our game. Also remember, that we are all leaders in our own way. We lead, or impact, our children, our friends and co-workers. We are all influencers.
Blameless is to be the overall characteristic of a leader (which is a tall order!). Paul breaks down this characteristic into three areas, family life in verse 6. (husband of one wife, and children that are believers); personal life in verses 7 and 8 (above reproach, and hospitable, lover of good and self-controlled... to name a few). And doctrinal beliefs in verse 9 (give instruction in sound doctrine). Paul also encourages the leaders to “rebuke”, and later to sharply rebuke. When you break down the word rebuke it means, in such a way as to produce repentance and confession. Which is consistent with what we have learned about Paul and his desire to bring all to Christ and have even the worst of sinners brought back into the fold. “That they may be sound in the faith!”
The letter to Titus grounds its message of producing right living through the careful attention to theological truth. Paul also encourages Titus to remember that physical objects or external practices do not defile a person, but a mind focused on evil thoroughly corrupts. We should be more concerned about renewing our mind and focusing it on Jesus than observing a list of rules that have no biblical support. So, “to the pure all things are pure”. This is the same principle Jesus taught in Matt 15:11, “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Faith and the truth go together - “true faith produces true works”. Paul also understood that when a body of believers embraces sound doctrine, the result is changed and purified lives that produce “good deeds”. God’s grace is the motivation for all good deeds.
This theme is continued in Chapter 2, Paul exhorted Titus to “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1), a clear direction that this should be the young pastor’s primary role. And he paints a picture of what this should look like. With older men and women (apparently this happens around 50 is what I am told – so I have a little bit of time 😉) they should serve as an example to all! They need to show maturity, which isn’t about age so much, or even about what you know; but about how skilled you are in applying the truth to life! The older women are to pass on their insight to younger women. So that their actions would glorify God, build His kingdom and strengthen the family. And Young men are to strive to be like the older men.
In closing, Chuck Swindoll says,” Make doctrine a priority in your own life, as well as encouraging it in your churches. Nothing is more significant than a solid foundation in Christ. Nothing is more motivational than grace to live a life of good deeds.”
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