1 Timothy; Titus; 2 Timothy

When Paul charged Timothy with staying in Ephesus and charged Titus to go to Crete, it was a trust thing. Paul had been entrusted by Jesus to carry the truth to the world …

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

2 Timothy 1:12

Now, these men would take the things entrusted to them and teach them to others…

what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

Eventually the entrusted word reached the person who taught you and the one who taught me. It’s a trust thing. And Paul made it clear to Titus and Timothy the message they were to impart was itself trustworthy…

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:15-17

It all starts here. As an obedient believer I must trust that Jesus is Who He claimed to be and will do as He promised to do with my sins. All other doctrine and practice flows from this truth.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:1-7

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—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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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 1:5-9

Paul warned the elders in Ephesus (Acts 20:28) that they needed to take heed to themselves, because wolves would arise from with the eldership and cause grievous harm to the flock of God. This is why these qualifications are essential and why Titus and Timothy were charged with developing elders. Immeasurable damage has been done in congregations and throughout Christendom by those appointed to leadership who are unqualified.

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:7-16

There is no doctrine of Christ that is to be neglected in our teaching or in our practice. We have entrusted our souls to Jesus and He calls us to godliness. Christians are disciples – learning followers of Jesus – so the question is ‘Am I Teachable?’

The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.

2 Timothy 2:11-17

Discerning between the essential and the irreverent is the fundamental task for the disciple of Jesus. Jesus is constant and consistent. He does not alter or change truth, and so He is trustworthy. Any deviation from truth is like gangrene to the body of Christ.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 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. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 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 3:1-8

For Christians, it’s all about trust. Lost in sin, we trust God to wash our sins away by the blood of Christ. Saved by grace, we are to be change. We are to be different. We are to be holy. The world is watching.

Christians trust Jesus with our souls … He trusts us with His name!

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!