Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
Titus is ministering in Crete, and Paul is not very complimentary about Cretans (verses 12–13) – 'liars, wicked beasts and lazy gluttons' is not diplomatic language. As usual in his letters, we only have one side of the conversation. We don't know what the 'nonsense' new converts were talking was, or the 'Jewish legends', though the question of whether male Gentile Christians should be circumcised was a live issue for the early Church and it may have been that.
The link between right doctrine and right conduct comes out clearly in this chapter. Church leaders must 'hold firmly to the message' (verse 9). 'Everything is pure to those who are themselves pure' (verse 15). The character of elders – and, in an age where fathers had absolute responsibility for the conduct of their children, their families – springs from faithful believing, but faithful believing has to be matched by right behaviour.
How were those early leaders to be recruited? The obvious answer at the time would be to choose people of the highest social status. But that's not what Paul says. No matter what someone's gifts or social position might be, if they aren't living rightly they shouldn't be in Christian leadership.
At a time when churches have been fiercely criticised for ignoring or downplaying issues around abuse, his advice is painfully relevant. Integrity is everything.
God, help me to practise what I preach. Purify my heart, so that what's inside me glorifies you as I speak and live out what I believe.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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