Titus and Philemon.
Titus.
The Author. We do not know much of the work of Titus. But from Gal.
2:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:12-13; 7:2-16, and Titus 1:5 and 3:12 we learn: (1)
that he was a Gentile whom Paul carried to Jerusalem, (2) that by the
liberty of the gospel the Jerusalem council did not require him to be
circumcised. (3) that he a capable and an energetic missionary, (4)
that Paul had left him in Crete to finish the work which he had begun
there.
The Book. The book is written to counsel Titus concerning the work
Paul had left him to do (1:5). It contains: (1) the qualifications of
the presbyters to be selected; (2) the method of dealing with false
teachings; (3) instructions to the different classes of the church;
(4) exhortations to Titus himself.
Date. Probably written from Macedonia, A. D. 66.
Analysis.
Greeting, 1:1-4.
I. Qualifications and Duties of Bishops or Pastors, 1:5 end.
1. The qualifications and duties, 5-9.
2. Reasons for needing such officers, 10 end.
II. Instruction in Practical Godliness, 2:1-3:11.
1. Proper conduct for the different classes and its basis, Ch. 2.
2. Proper conduct in the different life relations, 3:1-11.
Conclusion. 3:12-15.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Qualifications of presbyters 1:5-10.
(2) Lofty moral ideals for all Christians 2:1-15. (3) Savior and
salvation used seven times. (4) Good works or good things, the keyword
of the epistles and used seven times. (5) Sound doctrine occurs seven
times in this form or as sound in the faith, uncorruption in doctrine,
sound speech or doctrine of God. (6) Sober-minded occurring six times,
at least in thought. These last three constitute the Epistle's idea of
real godliness.
Philemon.
Philemon lived at Colossae and was probably a convert of Paul and
member of the Colossian church. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who
had robbed his master (v 18) and fled to Rome where he had been
converted under Paul's preaching (v 10). It is the only individual or
private letter written by Paul and is written to tell Philemon of the
conversion of Onesimus and to make a plea for him. Through the
kindness shown Onesimus we have revealed to us the great kindness of
the Apostle's heart. He speaks to Philemon not as an apostle in
authority, but as a friend to a friend, thereby showing his great
courtesy. The letter is of inestimable value as showing the power of
the gospel to win and transform a poor slave and to soften the harsh
relations between the different classes of ancient society.
Date, From Rome about A. D. 63.
Analysis.
1. Introduction, 1-7.
2. The purpose of the letter-an appeal to Onesimus, 8-21.
3. Closing matters, 22 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) How Christianity deals with slaves. (2)
The effectiveness of the Christian religion in a life: (a) Even a
fugitive slave would confess his guilt, as, no doubt, Onesimus had
done to Paul; (b) It will make one desire to correct any wrongs one
has done, and willing, as was Onesimus, to go to the one wronged and
make confession; (c) It often raises one from worthlessness to great
usefulness (v 11); (d) It will not only make one useful to others in
temporal matters, but will make one profitable in things spiritual (v
13). (3) Concerning a real Christian helper, we may learn that, like
Paul: (a) He wilt not try to hide or cover up a man's past faults; (b)
He will sympathize with the poor fellow who has a bad record behind
him; (c) He will make it as easy as possible for such a convert to
right the past; (d) He will gladly use the very humblest Christian (v
13); (e) He will be courteous and recognize the rights of others, as
in the case of Philemon; (f) He will not force a man to do his duty,
but will use love and persuasion to bring him to it. (4) Make a list
of all the persons named and learn something of each.
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