Titus 1:5-9 – Qualifying leaders

In verse 5, we see the two reasons why Paul left Titus at Crete. Firstly, he was left there to align all the unfinished tasks. It implied that there were some outstanding tasks that still needed attention. So Titus was sent there to straighten them. And secondly, he was to appoint elders for the churches there. In each town there was probably a gathering of believers, and Titus was told to appoint elders to each of the assemblies. These elders were responsible to exhort sound doctrines.

In this portion of Scriptures, Paul defined the qualifications of elders. Notice that in verse 7, he used the word overseer to refer to an elder. He was not referring to two different officers but to two different titles. The word “elder” would refer more to seniority while the word “overseer” would refer to their role of pastoral oversight. In talking about the qualifications of an elder, Paul demarcated three areas for considerations. First would be his marriage and his home; secondly, his character and conduct; and thirdly, his doctrinal position.

Verse 6 defines the need for an elder to have a faithful marriage and well managed home. He must be above reproach in his marital life. An elder must be the husband of one wife. Paul was not closing the door to unmarried people who were blameless and had the capacity and gift to lead and teach. He was merely excluding all the polygamists to the office of an elder. His intention was also to ensure that people who were appointed to the eldership had marital fidelity. Concerning the home, the elders’ children must be well brought up and not be accused of being wild and out of control.

In verses 7-8, Paul gave the second area to consider when appointing a person to the eldership. Since an elder is a steward of God, he needs to be a person with a good conduct and character. Paul gave a list of five vices and six virtues. Concerning the vices described in verse 7, he touched firstly in the area of pride. When a person is overly self-willed, there is the tendency for him to be arrogant and proud. Next, he dealt with the area of one’s temper. An elder must not be quick-tempered. Thirdly, an elder must not excessively indulge in alcoholic drink. The fourth vice has to do with power. An elder must not be violent, but guide the people with gentleness. In other words, he should not lead by force but by example. The fifth and final area is money. An elder must not be motivated by finance, but by his service to the Lord. 

Having dealt with the vices, he then turned to the six virtues in verse 8. Being hospitable will be the quality of being open, to entertain others in the home. Loving what is good means that an elder must have a large heart and be charitable. Then, he must be sensible, meaning to be sober-minded and sound in judgment. The quality of being just, would be referring to his sense of uprightness. The term “devout” refers to an elder’s respect and reverence toward God. And finally self-controlled would have to mean that an elder must have a mastery of himself.

Finally, in verse 9, Paul gave the third area an elder should possess. It is the area of doctrinal correctness. An elder must hold fast to the faithful Word. Why? Firstly, it is because the Word is faithful, hence it is trustworthy. And secondly, it is in accordance with the teaching, and in this case, the teaching which the apostle had given. And thirdly, it should be used to exhort sound doctrines; and finally, the Word would be needed to refute those who opposed it.