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Appointing Elders on Crete
The writer tells Titus why he was left in Crete and describes the qualities required for elders. This passage focuses on putting right what is lacking, recognising blameless character, and guarding faithful teaching.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, the writer speaks directly to Titus about work still needing attention in Crete. Titus is told to set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city. The passage then explains the qualities expected of an overseer in family life, conduct, and teaching.
Titus 1:5–9Main takeaway
In this passage, elders are to be appointed from people whose lives are blameless and who hold firmly to the faithful message.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Setting in order what is lackingThe passage begins with Titus’s assignment in Crete. He is to set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as he had been directed.
Explanation
The passage begins with Titus’s assignment in Crete. He is to set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as he had been directed. The verse does not list everything lacking, but it clearly includes appointing elders as part of this task.
02Blameless at home and in reputationA suitable elder is described first as blameless. The verse then mentions being the husband of one wife and having children who believe, not accused of loose or unruly behaviour.
Explanation
A suitable elder is described first as blameless. The verse then mentions being the husband of one wife and having children who believe, not accused of loose or unruly behaviour. These details show that the person’s household life and public reputation matter in recognising an elder.
03What an overseer must not beThe passage next calls this person an overseer and says he must be blameless, as God’s steward.
Explanation
The passage next calls this person an overseer and says he must be blameless, as God’s steward. The word "steward" points to someone entrusted with responsibility. The writer then lists qualities to reject: self-pleasing, quick anger, being given to wine, violence, and dishonest greed.
04What an overseer must beThe negative list is balanced by a positive one. An overseer is to be hospitable, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, and self-controlled.
Explanation
The negative list is balanced by a positive one. An overseer is to be hospitable, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, and self-controlled. These are visible qualities of character, showing a life shaped by steady judgement, right conduct, and care for others.
05Firm in the faithful wordThe final requirement is about teaching. An elder must hold to the faithful word according to the teaching.
Explanation
The final requirement is about teaching. An elder must hold to the faithful word according to the teaching. The purpose is clear in the verse: he must be able to exhort in sound doctrine and convict those who contradict. Character and teaching belong together in this role.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two tasks is Titus told to do in Crete?
Notice the two parts of the instruction: setting in order the things that were lacking and appointing elders in every city.
02How does verse 6 connect blamelessness with family life?
Look at the details given after "blameless" and consider how they describe life in the home and reputation.
03According to verse 9, what should an elder be able to do with the faithful word?
The verse gives two purposes: to exhort in sound doctrine and to convict those who contradict.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Titus 1:5–9
5I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you—
6if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.
7For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;
8but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled,
9holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.