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Atomic Bible
Titus 1:5-9·~1 min

Appointing Elders on Crete

Paul says he left Titus in Crete so that he would set in order what remained unfinished and appoint elders in every town as directed.

T5he reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

An elder must be blameless in family life and character, since as God's steward he must not be arrogant, hot-tempered, violent, or greedy, but hospitable, disciplined, upright, and holy. He must also hold fast to the faithful word so that he can both encourage with sound teaching and refute those who oppose it.

6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. 7As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach — not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. 8Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

Section summaryPaul reminds Titus that he left him in Crete to put what remained unfinished into order and appoint elders in every town. Those elders must be blameless in home and character, as God's stewards, and they must hold firmly to the trustworthy word so they can both encourage with sound teaching and answer those who contradict it.
Role in the chapterThis section establishes leadership as the means by which order and truth are preserved in the churches. Elders are presented not merely as administrators, but as morally tested guardians of sound teaching.