The Skeptics Annotated Bible (960 page)

9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

(4.14-15) God will “reward” Alexander for the “blasphemy” of disagreeing with “Paul”. (See 1 Tim 1.20 and 2 Tim 2.16-18)

14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

(4.14)
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.”

15
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

(4.15)
“Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.”

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things. —
Titus 2.9

Although Titus claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it, along with the other Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy), was written by someone else long after Paul’s death.

There’s not much of interest here. But we do learn about liars (God can’t tell a lie, Jews and Cretans can’t tell the truth), Jewish fables and genealogies (disregard them), wives and slaves (must be obedient), and heretics (are condemned by God and should be avoided)

Here are the highlights:

• God, like George Washington (but unlike the author of Titus who falsely claims to be Paul), cannot tell a lie.
  1.2
  
• Jews are unruly liars “whose mouths must be stopped.”
  1.10-11
  
• The people of Crete are “always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”
  1.12
  
• Disregard “Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Like most of the Bible, maybe?
  1.14
  
• “Teach the young women to be … obedient to their own husbands.”
  2.4-5
  
• Slaves must obey their masters and “please them well in all things … showing all good fidelity.”
  2.9-10
  
• “Avoid foolish … genealogies.” Like Gen
  10
  ,
  1 Chr 1-9
  , and
  Lk 3
  ?
  3.9
  
• Heretics are to be rejected since they are subverted sinners who are condemned by God.
  3.10-11
  

(1.1-4)
“Paul … to Titus”
Although this epistle claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it was written pseudonymously after his death.

1
Paul
, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life, which
God, that cannot lie
, promised before the world began;

(1.2)
“God, that cannot lie”
God, like George Washington (but unlike the author of Titus who falsely claims to be Paul), cannot tell a lie.
139 Does God lie?

3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

4
To Titus
, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless,
the husband of one wife
, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

(1.6) “The husband of one wife” A bishop should have only one wife. I guess it’s OK for laymen to have several.
15 Did “Paul” change his mind about marriage?
16 Is polygamy OK?

7 For
a bishop must be
blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober,
just
, holy, temperate;

(1.7-8)
“A bishop must be … just.”
33 Has the ever been a just person?