Titus 1:3

Titus 1:3 from the King James Version continues Paul's opening statement, emphasizing the divine origin and timely manifestation of the gospel message entrusted to him. This verse highlights God's active role in revealing His truth to humanity through the vehicle of preaching.

Context

This verse is part of the salutation of Paul's letter to Titus, his spiritual son and fellow worker in the gospel. Preceding it, Paul establishes his apostolic authority and the foundational truth of eternal life, which God promised "before the world began" (Titus 1:2). Titus 1:3 then explains how this ancient promise has now been brought to light. Paul had left Titus in Crete to organize the churches there and appoint elders (Titus 1:5), making the divine authority of the message paramount for establishing order and sound doctrine.

Key Themes

• Divine Timing and Revelation: The phrase "in due times" (Greek: kairois idiois) underscores God's perfect, appointed timing for revealing His word. It emphasizes that the manifestation of the gospel was not arbitrary but part of God's sovereign plan for salvation history. This divine revelation is made clear through the act of preaching.
• The Centrality of Preaching: The verse explicitly states that God "manifested his word through preaching." This highlights the crucial role of the proclamation of the gospel as the means by which God's truth is disseminated and understood by mankind. It is not merely human speech but a divine instrument.
• Apostolic Commission: Paul asserts that this preaching ministry was "committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." This reaffirms Paul's apostolic authority and the divine mandate behind his mission, stressing that his work was not self-appointed but a direct command from God Himself. This resonates with his self-identification as an apostle in Romans 1:1.
• God as Saviour: The title "God our Saviour" emphasizes God the Father's ultimate role in initiating and orchestrating salvation. This aligns with other New Testament passages that ascribe saving power to God the Father, alongside Jesus Christ, who is also called "our Saviour" in Titus 2:13.

Linguistic Insights

• "due times" (Greek: kairois idiois - καιροῖς ἰδίοις): This phrase means "at its own proper times" or "in its own seasons." It refers to specific, opportune moments determined by God, rather than simply any time. This concept of God's perfect timing is also seen in Galatians 4:4, where Christ came "when the fulness of the time was come."
• "manifested" (Greek: ephanerosen - ἐφανέρωσεν): This verb means "to make visible," "to reveal clearly," or "to disclose." It implies that what was previously hidden or dimly perceived has now been brought into full light.
• "preaching" (Greek: kerygma - κήρυγμα): This term refers to the content of the proclamation, the message preached, or the act of proclaiming it. It denotes an authoritative declaration, often associated with a herald's announcement.

Practical Application

Titus 1:3 reminds us of the profound privilege and responsibility of sharing God's word. It teaches us to:

• Trust God's Timing: Recognize that God works according to His perfect plan and timing, both in salvation history and in our individual lives.
• Value the Gospel Message: Appreciate that the gospel is not a human invention but a divinely revealed truth, delivered through appointed means.
• Embrace the Call to Share: Understand that the commission to make God's word known through preaching or personal testimony is a divine entrustment, not merely a human endeavor. This aligns with the command to go and make disciples.
• Acknowledge God's Saving Work: Continually give glory to God as our ultimate Saviour, who initiates and completes our salvation.