5 For this reason I left you in Crete , that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
6 namely, if any man is above reproach , the husband of one wife , having children who believe , not accused of dissipation or rebellion . 7 For the [1] overseer must be above reproach as God's steward , not self-willed , not quick-tempered , not addicted to wine , not pugnacious , not fond of sordid gain , 8 but hospitable , loving what is good , sensible , just , devout , self-controlled , 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching , so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict . 10 For there are many rebellious men , empty talkers and deceivers , especially those of the circumcision , 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families , teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain . 12 One of themselves , a prophet of their own , said , " Cretans are always liars , evil beasts , lazy gluttons ." 13 This testimony is true . For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith , 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth . 15 To the pure , all things are pure ; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving , nothing is pure , but both their mind and their conscience are defiled . 16 They profess to know God , but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Titus 1:5-16
Commentary on Titus 1:5-9
(Read Titus 1:5-9)
The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works.
Commentary on Titus 1:10-16
(Read Titus 1:10-16)
False teachers are described. Faithful ministers must oppose such in good time, that their folly being made manifest, they may go no further They had a base end in what they did; serving a worldly interest under pretence of religion: for the love of money is the root of all evil. Such should be resisted, and put to shame, by sound doctrine from the Scriptures. Shameful actions, the reproach of heathens, should be far from Christians; falsehood and lying, envious craft and cruelty, brutal and sensual practices, and idleness and sloth, are sins condemned even by the light of nature. But Christian meekness is as far from cowardly passing over sin and error, as from anger and impatience. And though there may be national differences of character, yet the heart of man in every age and place is deceitful and desperately wicked. But the sharpest reproofs must aim at the good of the reproved; and soundness in the faith is most desirable and necessary. To those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; they abuse, and turn things lawful and good into sin. Many profess to know God, yet in their lives deny and reject him. See the miserable state of hypocrites, such as have a form of godliness, but are without the power; yet let us not be so ready to fix this charge on others, as careful that it does not apply to ourselves.