Titus 1

Paul is servant and apostle according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness. Wesley: the propagating of that faith is the proper business of an apostle; the elect of God are all true Christians.

Those who believe, the people in Christ. Apostleship serves a living faith and a knowledge of the truth that produces godliness—not a closed list that makes preaching optional. The faith is to be spread; the elect are those who actually believe.

Calvin: there is a mutual agreement between Paul’s apostleship and the faith of the elect of God; it will not be rejected by any man who is not a reprobate and opposed to the true faith. By the elect he means not only those then alive, but all from the beginning of the world. Though many boast the name of God, many of that multitude are reprobates.

God’s chosen, distinguished from the reprobate. Apostleship agrees with the faith of those God has chosen; knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness is the elect’s fruit, not a self-made credential.

In hope of eternal life: Wesley called this the grand motive and encouragement of every apostle and every servant of God. God, who can’t lie, promised it before the ages began—to Christ, our Head.

The promise is as old as God’s purpose in Christ, and it lands as hope for those who believe. Eternal life is not a guess; it is promised by a God who cannot lie, and it is held in hope as the church walks in the faith of v. 1.

Calvin: salvation was given or decreed for the elect of God before times began to flow. Who cannot lie: whenever the subject is our salvation, we ought to recollect that it is founded on the word of Him who can neither deceive nor lie.

Eternal life is as old as God’s decree for the elect, and as sure as God’s truthfulness. The promise before the ages is not a bare possibility; it is a word that cannot fail those for whom it was decreed.

At the proper time God manifested his word through preaching entrusted to Paul by the commandment of God our Savior. Wesley: he hath in his own times manifested his word through preaching, committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.

The hidden promise becomes public in preached word. God our Savior commands a gospel that is actually to be heard; the proper time has arrived. Entrustment does not shrink the audience; it sends a servant.

The promise before the ages is now manifested in his word through preaching. Commandment of God our Savior names both the source and the timing.

What was decreed is not left secret. God appoints the time, the word, and the preacher. The elect come to knowledge of the truth by this means; the command is as sovereign as the promise.

Titus is a true child according to a common faith. Wesley: my own son—begot in the same image of God; the common faith is common to me and all my spiritual children. Grace and peace come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Common faith is shared, living, and begetting. Titus is not a mere assistant; he is a son in the gospel he received, and the greeting is gift for a charge in Crete.

True child according to a common faith is high praise and public authorization.

God begets; Paul is the minister through whom Titus was brought into the common faith. The same Savior named in v. 3 now blesses the son who will appoint elders. Standing and supply are from God.