Titus 1:5

Titus 1:5 captures a pivotal moment in the early Christian church's development, as the Apostle Paul delegates significant authority and responsibility to his trusted co-worker, Titus. This verse serves as a foundational instruction for establishing order and leadership within the nascent churches on the island of Crete.

Context

This verse opens Paul's practical instructions to Titus after an initial greeting and theological affirmation. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete, a place known for its challenging cultural environment (as hinted at in Titus 1:12-13). The purpose of Titus's mission was twofold: to "set in order the things that are wanting" and to "ordain elders in every city." This highlights Paul's apostolic concern for the proper structuring and spiritual health of new congregations, ensuring they were not left without mature, godly leadership.

Key Themes

• Church Order and Organization: Paul's instruction emphasizes the crucial need for structure and proper functioning within the local church. The phrase "set in order the things that are wanting" (Greek: epidiorthoo, meaning "to set right thoroughly" or "to correct what is amiss") indicates that the churches in Crete had deficiencies requiring immediate attention. This speaks to the practical administration necessary for a thriving spiritual community.
• Apostolic Delegation and Authority: Paul, as an apostle, entrusts Titus with significant authority to establish leadership. This demonstrates the pattern of apostolic oversight and the passing on of responsibility to qualified individuals for the ongoing work of the Gospel. Titus acts as Paul's representative, carrying out his appointed task.
• The Importance of Qualified Leadership: The primary method for setting things in order was the appointment of elders. This underscores the conviction that the spiritual health and stability of a church depend heavily on the character and capabilities of its leaders. The following verses in Titus (e.g., Titus 1:6-9) provide detailed qualifications for these elders, emphasizing integrity, spiritual maturity, and doctrinal soundness.
• Church Planting and Expansion: The directive to ordain elders "in every city" implies that the Gospel had spread across Crete, leading to multiple nascent congregations. This verse therefore also touches upon the ongoing mission of spreading the Christian message and establishing self-sustaining churches in new territories.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "set in order the things that are wanting" comes from the Greek verb epidiorthoo (ἐπιδιορθόω), which suggests a thorough correction or completion of what is lacking. It implies a detailed, perhaps even systematic, arrangement of church affairs. The term "ordain elders" translates cheirotoneo (χειροτονέω), which originally meant "to stretch out the hand" (as in voting), but in the New Testament context, it evolved to mean "to appoint" or "designate" by authority, often with the laying on of hands (as seen in Acts 14:23). This highlights the deliberate and authoritative nature of the appointment process.

Practical Application

Titus 1:5 continues to be highly relevant for the church today. It reminds us of several enduring principles:

• The Need for Godly Leadership: Churches still require spiritual leaders who meet biblical qualifications. The integrity and maturity of elders (or pastors, overseers) are vital for the health and direction of any congregation.
• Order and Structure are Important: While not advocating for rigid bureaucracy, the verse teaches that a degree of order and good administration is necessary for the church to function effectively and fulfill its mission.
• Delegation of Authority: Spiritual leaders are called to identify, train, and empower others to take on leadership roles, ensuring continuity and growth.
• Focus on the Local Church: The emphasis on appointing elders "in every city" underscores the importance of strong, localized expressions of the body of Christ, equipped to minister to their specific communities.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the apostolic commitment to establishing well-ordered, biblically led churches, a task that remains central to the global Christian mission.