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General Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons of the Epistle

The Knowledge of The Truth of Salvation

I. The inevitable operation of the truth of salvation (Tit. 1)

A. the promise and the past history of the truth of salvation (Tit. 1:1-4)

B. the interaction and functions of the truth of salvation (Tit. 1:5-16)

1. the directors and organization (Tit. 1:5)

2. the personnel and management (Tit. 1:6-9)

3. the responsibility and punishment (Tit. 1:10-16)

II. The educational carrying out and contents of the truth of salvation (Tit. 2)

A. the principle of education (Tit. 2:1)

B. the objects of education (Tit. 2:2-10)

C. the contents of education (Tit. 2:11-14)

D. Men who teach (Tit. 2:15)

III. The experience and effect of the truth of salvation (Tit.3)

A. obeying the political power (Tit. 3:1-3)

B. the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:4-7)

C. the testimony in the society (Tit. 3:8)

D. rejecting evil ones (Tit. 3:9-11)

E. maintain good works (Tit. 3: 12-13)

F. the greeting and speech (Tit. 3:15)

The Appellations of “Savior”

I. God our Savior (Tit. 1:3) <> the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Tit. 1:4)

II. God our Savior (Tit. 2:10) <> Savior Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:13)

III. God our Savior (Tit. 3:4) <> Jesus Christ our Savior (Tit. 3:6)

The Problems Involved in the Epistle of Titus

I. Problems concerning the leaders in the church (Tit. 1)

II. Problems concerning every man and family (Tit. 2)

III. Problems concerning the society and the country (Tit. 3)

How to Deal with Heresies

1. Knowing and resisting those who preach heresies

a. charge them that they teach no other doctrine (1Tim. 1:3-4).

b. they depart from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith (1Tim. 1:5-10)

c. they have rejected a good conscience, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck (1Tim. 1:19-20).

d. they give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1Tim. 4:1-3).

e. they suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1Tim. 6:3-10).

2. Avoiding and guarding against those who preach heresies

a. avoid contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (1Tim. 6:20-21).

b. shun profane and idle babblings (2Tim. 2:16-18).

c. turn away from such people who have a form of godliness but denying its power (2Tim. 3:5-9).

d. beware of those who resist the faith (2Tim. 4:15).

3. Refuting and reproach those who preach heresies

a. teach others the sound doctrine and convict those who contradict (Tit. 1:9).

b. stop their mouth and rebuke them sharply (Tit. 1:10-14).

c. exhort and rebuke with all authority (Tit. 2:15).

d. admonish and reject division men (Tit. 3:9-11).

Those Who Stray from the Faith

1. Some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk (1Tim. 1:6).

2. Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander (1Tim. 1:20).

3. For some have already turned aside after Satan (1Tim. 5:15).

4. Some men's sins are clearly evident, but those of some men follow later (1Tim. 5:24).

5. Some have strayed from the faith in their greediness (1Tim. 6:10).

6. By professing it (contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge) some have strayed concerning the faith (1Tim. 6:21).

7. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth (2Tim. 2:17-18).

8. They subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not (Tit. 1:10-14).

9. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him (Tit. 1:16).

10. They who are opponents (Tit. 2:8).

11. They are divisive men who are self-condemned (Tit. 3:10-11).

The Qualifications for the Elders (the Overseers) and Deacons in the Church

1. Blameless: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6,7); deacons (1Tim. 3:10).

2. The husband of one wife: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6); deacons (1Tim. 3:12).

3. Temperate: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7); deacons (1Tim. 3:8, 11).

4. Sober-minded: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8),

5. Of good behavior: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8); deacons (1Tim. 3:8, 11).

6. Hospitable: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8).

7. Able to teach: the elders (1Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Tit. 1:9).

8. Not violent, but gentle: the elders (1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7).

9. Not quarrelsome: the elders (1Tim. 3:3).

10. Not greedy for money, not covetous: the elders (1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 3:7); deacons (1Tim. 3:8).

11. Not given to wine: the elders (1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7); deacons (1Tim. 3:8).

12. Ruling their own houses well: the elders (1Tim. 3:4); deacons (1Tim. 3:12).

13. Not a novice: the elders (1Tim. 3:6).

14. Having a good testimony among those who are outside: the elders (1Tim. 3:7).

15. Not double-tongued: deacons (1Tim. 3:8).

16. A pure conscience: deacons (1Tim. 3:9).

17. Be tested: deacons (1Tim. 3:10).

18. Not slanderers: deacons (1Tim. 3:11).

19. Faithful in all things: deacons (1Tim. 3:11).

20. Not self-willed: the elders (Tit. 1:7).

21. Not quick-tempered: the elders (Tit. 1:7).

22. A lover of what is good: the elders (Tit. 1:8).

23. Just, holy: the elders (Tit. 1:8).

24. Holding fast the faith: the elders (Tit. 1:9); deacons (1Tim. 3:9).

── Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible Commentary Series》

Translated by Sharon Ren