Titus 1:5-6 To Set In Order

Titus 1:5-6For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest SET IN ORDER THE THINGS THAT ARE WANTING, and ORDAIN ELDERS IN EVERY CITY, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Set In Order That Which Is Wanting

Word Study: The two Pastoral Epistles – Timothy and Titus – were given by God through the Apostle Paul. The purpose of the epistles are to “SET IN ORDER THE THINGS THAT ARE WANTING”. That phrase is the Greek epidiorthoō ho leipō, which means “to straighten up that which is lacking”.

When the Apostle Paul went to Crete with Timothy, the largest Island in Greece, he preached the Gospel of salvation and many were “saved through faith in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We don’t know how many were saved, but we do know that the Apostle did not have time to set up Churches in Crete. God was calling Paul to Nicopolis, a Roman city in Northwestern Greece. So God the Holy Spirit – through Paul – gave an instruction book to Titus to help finish the work. What was the first thing Titus was supposed to do?

ORDAIN ELDERS IN EVERY CITY

Titus was to ordain elders “IN EVERY CITY”. The Roman Historian Pliny the Elder said that Crete had about 100 cities. There were a lot of Christians in Crete because of the abundant Grace of God. But there was something lacking.

Elders {presbyteros = “Those who are of age, Elders”}

Word Study: Elders are the Spiritual Leaders in the Church. The word “Elders {presbyteros}” is imported into Christianity from Judaism (Matthew 16:21; 21:23; Luke 7:3; Acts 4:8). The Elders among the Jews sat on the Sanhedrin, the Ruling Council of Israel, and also acted as the Spiritual Leaders in the Synagogues. We are told in …

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) Let the ELDERS {presbyteros} that RULE WELL well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who LABOR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE.

Word Study: The function of the Elder is to “LABOR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE”. To prayerfully study the Scripture, the Word of God, and to extract DOCTRINES {didaskalia, teaching and instruction} to share within the Church.

**The ELDERS are called to RULE WELL, which means that this is an authoritative position. The Elders are to focus on the spiritual health of the local Church.**

Illustrate Elders: There are several of you in this Church that have different names. I found out that Brother Witherspoon is called “Spoonie”, Loyd, Harvel, and his wife Frances is called “Catherine”. The office of Elder has more than one name. We read in:

Acts 20:17-18, 28-31 (KJV) And from Miletus {the Apostle Paul} sent to Ephesus, and CALLED THE ELDERS {presbyteros} OF THE CHURCH. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them.. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and TO ALL THE FLOCK, over the which THE HOLY SPIRIT HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS {episkopos} to FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD, which He hath purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN AMONG YOU, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE, speaking PERVERSE THINGS, to DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Word Study: Before Paul left Ephesus he called the ELDERS {presbyteros} together to warn them. Paul called the ELDERS “OVERSEERS {episkopos}”. This word is translated in the King James as both Overseer and Bishop. The Elder’s job is to be the OVERSEER. The Elder is charged with authoritatively seeing that things in the Church are done Scripturally, and in a Christ honoring manner. In the other Pastoral Epistle the Apostle says:

1 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) A BISHOP {episkopos, Overseer} then must be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE …

Paul warned the Elders, also called the Overseers (or Bishops in the KJV) that the Church is purchased by the Blood of Christ. The Church belongs to Jesus, not to us. And there would be false elders, false overseers who would rise up to “DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEMselves”. The Elders were to stay focused on feeding “ ALL THE FLOCK, over the which THE HOLY SPIRIT HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS {episkopos}.

Word Study: That brings us to another name given to the Elder, besides Overseer or Bishop. The Church is the FLOCK OF CHRIST. Jesus said, “I am THE GOOD SHEPHERD, and know MY SHEEP, and am known of mine” (John 10:14-16). The Overseer (Bishop) or the Elder is to watch over ALL THE FLOCK that God has entrusted to us. The other title for the Spiritual Leader of Christ’s Flock is “PASTOR” {poimēn, Shepherds}. As we saw earlier, the Elder (Overseer/ Bishop/ Pastor) is given the office by the Holy Spirit of God. Paul tells us in:

Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) And He {the Holy Spirit} gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, PASTORS {poimēn, Shepherds} and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The Apostles and Prophets wrote the Scripture as God gave them direction. The Evangelists focus on spreading the Gospel among the lost, with the intent of leading others into the flock, the Church. ThePASTORS {poimēn, Shepherds} work within the flock to advance the spiritual growth of the believer (the saints) so that they might do the work of the ministry, building up the Body of Christ.

The office of PASTOR/ OVERSEER/ ELDER is an authoritative preaching and teaching position in the Church. As a SHEPHERD the Pastor insures the flock stays true to the Word of God. As an OVERSEER the Pastor is entrusted with the truths of Scripture, and with authority teaches these truths to the Church.

A Christian cannot long stand outside of the Church. I have heard people say, “I can be a Christian, and yet not go to Church, and not have a Pastor”. You won’t last if you do. Satan loves lone sheep. The Bible says that Satan “your adversary the devil, AS A ROARING LION, walketh about, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR” (1 Peter 5:8). If you’ve ever watched a nature show on television (and I love to watch them), which animal does the lion attack and eat alive? The creature in the safety of the herd or flock has a much better chance of survival. If you are a Christian, you need a Pastor/ Elder/ Overseer that loves the Bible, and will, without flinching, tell you exactly what God has said. So many say “Well, I sit at home and watch Charles Stanley or Adrian Rogers or _whoever____”. Charles Stanley said before going to be with Jesus April 18, 2023:

“The church is not a building. It is the body of Christ made up of believers who gather to worship, learn, and serve. … we strengthen one another and remind each other of God’s truth.”

As we read before, Paul told Titus to “SET IN ORDER THE THINGS THAT ARE WANTING, and ORDAIN ELDERS IN EVERY CITY”. The Christian should have a Pastor/ Elder/ Overseer. The Christian should be in a Church regularly. The Christian should want to minister, to act as a believer/ Priest, not just in the Church, but outside of the Church.

Let’s Go Back To The Beginning …

Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE

As God the Holy Spirit through Paul tells Titus – a Gentile and not a Jew – that as Pastors/ Elders/ Overseers are set apart for each congregation, that they must be the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE. This is a requirement of the office of the Pastor. Some have risen up and stated – even in our own denomination – that women can be as good Pastor as a man can be. Feminism has crept into Churches, and has begun to push this narrative.

But what does the Bible say?

First of all, both women and men are equally important in the Church. We see this on the Day of Pentecost. Before our Lord Jesus ascended into Heaven, He told His disciples:

Acts 1:4-5, 8 Do not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER that I told you about. You will be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT in a few days. You WILL RECEIVE POWER when THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU, and YOU WILL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

After Jesus ascended to glory, 120 gathered in prayer. Who were in the Upper Room? We read …

Acts 1:14 (KJV) These ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD in prayer and supplication, WITH THE WOMEN, AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, and with his brethren.

Women were in that Upper Room praying, waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came and anointed those believers, we read:

Acts 2:1-4 (KJV) … when the day of Pentecost was fully come, THEY WERE ALL WITH ONE ACCORD IN ONE PLACE. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there APPEARED UNTO THEM cloven tongues like as of fire, and IT SAT UPON EACH OF THEM. 4 And THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It was not just the men, but ALL were touched by God. ALL were filled with the Holy Spirit. ALL were given the ability to speak not gibberish, but earthly languages so they could share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to the crowd.

Acts 2:6-8 (KJV) EVERY MAN HEARD THEM SPEAK IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE … they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And HOW HEAR WE EVERY MAN {hēmōn, every PERSON, men and women} IN OUR OWN TONGUE, WHEREIN WE WERE BORN?

The crowd was being evangelized. Both men and women were sharing their faith, the faith of the Lord jesus Christ. The crowd was saying “We do hear them speak in our tongues THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD.” (Acts 2:11).

The Apostle Peter stood up {as an ELDER would do} and said that this was a fulfillment of the prophesy found in Joel 2:28-32

Acts 2:16-18 (KJV) But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH: and YOUR SONS and YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and ON MY HANDMAIDENS I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and THEY SHALL PROPHESY:

**What does it mean “to PROPHECY”? Someone who prophesies hears the Word of God, and shares that Word of God to others without adjustment. You say what God has said. Period.**

Mary Did This: When Jesus Christ rose from the grave, who was the first to see Him in His glory? It was Mary Magdalene. And Jesus told Mary:

John 20:17-18 (KJV) Jesus saith unto {Mary}, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but GO TO MY BRETHREN, and SAY UNTO THEM, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God. 18 MARY MAGDALENE CAME AND TOLD THE DISCIPLES that she had seen the Lord, and [that] HE HAD SPOKEN THESE THINGS UNTO HER.

Men should share the Word of God. Women should share the Word of God. This is PROPHECY. It is not limited to male or female. And it’s not mysterious. The one who prophesies does not add to God’s Word. Mary Magdalene acted as a Prophet when she carried Jesus’ message to the Apostles. But Mary was not an Apostle, nor was she a Pastor/ Elder/ Overseer.

In the New Testament we see that Philip, one of the first Deacons (Acts 6:5), was also an Evangelist (Acts 8:5-6). Because of Philip the Gospel was introduced to Ethiopia (Acts 8:30-39). The Bible says:

Acts 21:9 (KJV) And the same man had FOUR DAUGHTERS, virgins, WHICH DID PROPHECY.

And yet, these daughters were not Elders/ Overseers/ Pastors. They are not even called “Prophets”. They prophesied. They shared the Word of God with others. The Apostle Paul talks about women prophesying in:

1 Corinthians 11:5-6 (KJV) But EVERY WOMAN THAT PRAYETH OR PROPHESIETH with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

The Apostle specifies how the woman is to be who prays or prophesies – but he does not say they cannot pray or prophesy.

But the same Paul who wrote this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, also wrote this in Timothy:

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (KJV) Let THE WOMAN learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I SUFFER NOT {do not allow} a WOMAN TO TEACH, NOR TO USURP AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN, but to be in silence. 13 For ADAM WAS FIRST FORMED, then Eve. 14 And ADAM WAS NOT DECEIVED, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

We Went Back To The Beginning At Pentecost.
Let’s Go Back To The VERY Beginning.

When you read your Bibles, you need to remember that the original text had no chapter nor verses in it. The Pastoral Epistle we call 1 Timothy is a single letter with no divisions originally in it. Just as God started out with Titus, telling him to

Titus 1:5 SET IN ORDER THE THINGS THAT ARE WANTING, and ORDAIN ELDERS (Overseers/ Pastors) IN EVERY CITY

Paul does the same thing with Timothy. Now, Titus was a Gentile from a Gentile culture, and God gave Titus direction based on the culture he was in. Timothy is a Jew establishing Churches in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). What was in Ephesus? A major pagan Temple dedicated to the worship of the goddess Artemis (Acts 19:23-41).

The Temple of Artemis (a.k.a. Diana) was one of the largest and wealthiest religious institutions in Ephesus. It was headed by a High Priestess, the Chief Religious figure.

This is why God tells Paul to tell Timothy:

1 Timothy 2:11-12 (KJV) Let THE WOMAN learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I SUFFER NOT {do not allow} a WOMAN TO TEACH, NOR TO USURP AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN, but to be in silence.

He’s not talking about women sharing the Gospel. God is saying, “Unlike the pagans, the worshipers of Artemis, the Church is to be spiritually led by a MAN, not a woman”. Well, Paul, why is that? Isn’t that a type of misogyny? Paul doesn’t hate women. Jesus didn’t hate women. God doesn’t hate women. Paul explains himself:

1 Timothy 2:13-14 (KJV) For ADAM WAS FIRST FORMED, then Eve. 14 And ADAM WAS NOT DECEIVED, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

God takes it back to the order of Creation itself. When God created Man, He made the MALE FIRST from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). Once God made the MALE, He called Adam to OVERSEE THE GARDEN OF EDEN:

Genesis 2:15-17 (NKJV) Then the LORD God TOOK THE MAN and PUT HIM IN THE GARDEN of Eden to TEND IT AND TO KEEP IT. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

It was only after God commissioned Adam – the MAN – as OVERSEER of the Garden, that God made Eve from one of Adam’s ribs (Genesis 2:21-22). Adam was the OVERSEE not just the Garden, BUT THE MARRIAGE. Because Adam failed to do his job, the Bible tells us:

Romans 5:12, 14 (KJV) Wherefore, as BY ONE MAN sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: … 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Sin entered the world because one MAN sinned. God promised redemption through another MAN, but that MAN would come through the woman (Genesis 3:15). As you look through your Bibles, every Bible Covenant was given by God TO MEN, not WOMEN.

Whether it was Adam, Abraham, Moses, David or Jesus, every Covenant went through men. Why? Because of God’s design in the Garden. When Jesus chose Apostles, who did He choose? Twelve MEN (Matthew 10:2). When Jesus chose an Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot, who did He choose? A man named Paul (1 Corinthians 9:1). Every Book of the Bible was written by MEN as God gave them utterance.

God made men first, and calls men to lead and protect the covenant of marriage. I’ve referred to this text before …

Ephesians 5:22-23 (NKJV) WIVES, SUBMIT TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS, AS TO THE LORD. 23 For THE HUSBAND IS HEAD OF THE WIFE, AS also CHRIST IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH; and He is the Savior of the body.

There is a creation order at play in the marriage, and in the Church. As you read further in 1 Timothy, right after Paul references the creation order he states:

1 Timothy 3:1-2 (KJV) This [is] a true saying, If a MAN desire the OFFICE OF A BISHOP (episkopē, episkopos = OVERSEER) , he desireth a good work. 2 A BISHOP then must be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE …

There is a creation order difference between men and women. God made men to lead in the marriage, and in the Church. That does not mean that women cannot serve. Women served at the empty tomb. Women served on the Day of Pentecost. Women served in the early Church. Praise God for women who prophesy, who share the Word of the Gospel with others. We are told in:

Acts 18:24-26 (KJV) And a certain Jew named APOLLOS, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES, CAME TO EPHESUS. 25 This MAN WAS INSTRUCTED IN THE WAY OF THE LORD; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISM OF JOHN. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when AQUILA AND PRISCILLA had heard, they took him unto [them], and EXPOUNDED UNTO HIM THE WAY OF GOD MORE PERFECTLY.

Apollos knew about the coming Messiah, but did not know that Jesus had come. He knew “ONLY THE BAPTISM OF JOHN”. When they heard him preaching one day, a married couple named “AQUILA AND PRISCILLA” (tent makers by trade who were students of the Apostle Paul– Acts 18:2-3) took Apollos to the side and “EXPOUNDED UNTO HIM THE WAY OF GOD MORE PERFECTLY”. Both husband and wife shared the truth that Christ had come and risen from the grave.

Why Does It Matter If The Overseer Is A Man?

Yes, a woman can teach – but not in the Office of Overseer/ Pastor/ Elder. Yes, a woman can prophesy – but not in the Office of Overseer/ Pastor/ Elder. Not according to the Scripture, which is God’s Word. Why does it matter? I go back to what Paul told the Overseers/ Pastors/ Elders in

Acts 20:29-30 (KJV) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, to draw away disciples after them.

Every mainline denomination that ordained women as Pastors has followed the same trajectory. The Episcopal Church ordained women in 1976. By 2003 they ordained an openly gay Bishop. By 2015, they normalized same sex marriages. Now they support transgenderism, while their Bishops deny the resurrection of Christ our Lord. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Methodists are all following the same pattern. You cannot name a mainline denomination that ordained a woman as Pastor who maintains Biblical integrity. The message they usually promote is “Well, that was THEN, but this is NOW”. Over and over again Satan has infiltrated local Churches, following this pattern:

Call “Biblical Leadership” OPPRESSION of women
Ordain women as “Pastors” to show you’re “enlightened”
Then the Church abandons Biblical sexuality in one generation
Which leads to the Church abandoning Biblical Christianity

Does it matter? Yes, it does. Either the Bible is ALL of God’s Word, or the Bible is NONE of God’s Word. We cannot cherry pick Scripture. As I close, I need to remind you that Jesus Christ was born a Man – not a Woman – because of Adam’s sin, not Eve’s. The only way to salvation is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Author of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:8, 13; 12:24). What you believe matters.

We’ll return to the qualifications of the Elder/ Pastor/ Overseer next week.