Epistles to Titus and Philemon bible study

            Here is a bible study on the epistles to Titus, another spiritual son of Paul and also a co-laborer Philemon. These two personal epistles are for encouragement, direction, and even some correction both for the people they were written to originally but also for us to read, learn and grow in our faith in, as the bible is such a wonderful tool to help grow, strengthen and mature one’s faith in Jesus and relationship with God

            In Titus chapter 1 after the salutation which speaks of Paul’s and everyone else’s hope of eternal life wants Titus to remain in Crete and appoint overseers who must be above reproach to what is left of the church there and the qualities the overseer must have. He must get the church in order rebuking and correcting all deceivers, lazy, insubordinate and other bad people to make them sound in the faith and not like the unbelievers who are unfit for any work

(Titus 1:1)  Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

(Titus 1:2)  in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

(Titus 1:3)  and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

(Titus 1:4)  To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

(Titus 1:5)  This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--

(Titus 1:6)  if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

(Titus 1:7)  For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

(Titus 1:8)  but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

(Titus 1:9)  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

(Titus 1:10)  For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

(Titus 1:11)  They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

(Titus 1:12)  One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

(Titus 1:13)  This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

(Titus 1:14)  not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

(Titus 1:15)  To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

(Titus 1:16)  They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

In chapter 2 Titus is commanded to teach all to be sober minded, be they young or old men or women, something we ourselves need to be in these days as wel, Titus is to show himself a good role model with sound speech. Slaves/servants are to be honest and submissive to their master and not steal. We are to live self controlled and godly lives renouncing worldly pleasure for the grace of God has appeared to usbringing salvation through Jesus who gave himself so people can give themselves overto good work. Titus is to rebuke, declare and exhort on these things (as we are today)

(Titus 2:1)  But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

(Titus 2:2)  Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

(Titus 2:3)  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

(Titus 2:4)  and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

(Titus 2:5)  to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

(Titus 2:6)  Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

(Titus 2:7)  Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

(Titus 2:8)  and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

(Titus 2:9)  Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

(Titus 2:10)  not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

(Titus 2:12)  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

(Titus 2:13)  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

(Titus 2:14)  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

(Titus 2:15)  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

In Titus chapter 3 it is stated that all are to be submissive, and ready for good work as we all were subject to foolish things and passions and led astray at one time in the past (and I include myself in that, too for I know I had my share of foolish passions), but then the grace and mercy of Jesus appeared in order to save us (salvation), not by our own works but by only by God’s mercy (and grace) poured out and saving us in grace so we might be heirs to eternal life and the saying is trustworthy. However we are to avoid controversies and quarrels and after warning people a couple times who do/engage in them we are to avoid those people, and to finish the epistle once  again the reminder is given to devote ourselves to good works

(Titus 3:1)  Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

(Titus 3:2)  to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

(Titus 3:3)  For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

(Titus 3:4)  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

(Titus 3:5)  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

(Titus 3:6)  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

(Titus 3:7)  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Titus 3:8)  The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

(Titus 3:9)  But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

(Titus 3:10)  As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

(Titus 3:11)  knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

(Titus 3:12)  When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

(Titus 3:13)  Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.

(Titus 3:14)  And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

(Titus 3:15)  All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

In the epistle to Philemon which is but a single chapter the letter being to Philemon and sister Apphia, and Archippus as well after the salutation wishing them grace Paul commends them in their faith in Jesus and praying for the sharing of their faith which is brought Paul much joy. Paul says he is sending anther, Onesimus, whom they are appealed to receive him as though they were receiving Paul himself had he come,although Paul is in prison at the time of the epistle’s writing and if Onesimusa wrongs them in any waythey are to charge Paul for that. He is confident of obedience of them and wants even a guest room prepared. Paul then closes this brief epistle with various greetings.

(Philemon 1:1)  Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker

(Philemon 1:2)  and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

(Philemon 1:3)  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Philemon 1:4)  I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,

(Philemon 1:5)  because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

(Philemon 1:6)  and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

(Philemon 1:7)  For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

(Philemon 1:8)  Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,

(Philemon 1:9)  yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus--

(Philemon 1:10)  I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.

(Philemon 1:11)  (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

(Philemon 1:12)  I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

(Philemon 1:13)  I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,

(Philemon 1:14)  but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

(Philemon 1:15)  For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

(Philemon 1:16)  no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother--especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

(Philemon 1:17)  So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

(Philemon 1:18)  If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

(Philemon 1:19)  I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it--to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.

(Philemon 1:20)  Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

(Philemon 1:21)  Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

(Philemon 1:22)  At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

(Philemon 1:23)  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,

(Philemon 1:24)  and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

(Philemon 1:25)  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

In these two shortish epistles we see the grace and purpose indeed expressed to give us all the hope of eternal life in the inheritance through and by Christ and it is a gift from God that cannot be earned yet we are to stay in good works and not to be in the world or the flesh. People do stumble, myself included so we do need the grace and mercy of Jesus so we can repent of our mistakes. Jesus went to the cross for you and I and everyone else for the promise of eternal life, and peace here, too. Jesus wants a relationship with you, too for He loves you more than you can possibly know. It is easy to get into this relationship, which is more special than anything or come back if you have stumbled away at any time. I am including a prayer to make that easily possible. Please pray this prayer with me:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours