Titus 1:2-4 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But had in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

‘Promised’ [Greek, epangello] announce; command; gives orders. Translated “promise” (Tit. 1:2; Mark 14:11; Acts 7:5; Rom. 4:21; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 6:13; 10:23; 11:11; 12:26; Jas. 1:12; 2:5; 2Pet. 2:19; 1Jn. 2:25) and “profess” (1Tim. 2:10; 6:21). To whom such promise was announced, that God would give eternal life to men who were not yet created, is not known. If He made such a plan before the ages of time or in eternity past, there were beings or creatures then to whom He gave such information. This takes us back even before the pre-Adamite world of Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 14:12-14; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Ezekiel 28:11-17 and 2Peter 3:5-8. That the announcement and promise of eternal life concerned man and our times are clear in Titus 1:3 and Ephesians 1:4; 3:1-6.

‘World’ [Greek, ‘chronon’ and ‘aionion’] means ages of time (1:2; 2Ti. 1:9; Rom. 16:25). It means eternity; before the ages of time began. It is not the Greek words katabole which means disruption or overthrow of the world, or themelios which means founding of the world. Aionios is translated as “eternal” 42 times and everlasting 25 times.

‘Committed unto me’ – Referring to Paul’s commission (Acts 9:15-17; Gal. 1:15-16; 2:2). It is clear from these Scriptures that we cannot claim the same commission as the one given to him by Jesus Christ.

‘Commandment’ [Greek, epitage] translated “commandment” (1:3; Rom. 16:26; 1Cor. 7:6, 25; 2Cor. 8:8; 1Tim. 1:1) and “authority” (Tit. 2:15). The apostles were apostles by the commandment of God, it was by appointment.

‘Titus’ – like Timothy, Titus was a convert and fellow worker of Paul (Tit. 1:4; 2Cor. 2:13; 7:6-14; 8:23; 12:17-18; Gal. 2:1-3). He was given charge of Cretian congregations (Tit_1:5).

‘From God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Again and again, God the Father and Jesus Christ are referred to as being separate persons.

Titus 1:2-4 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But had in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Thirty limitations of God are noted in Scripture (continues): He cannot forgive one unconfessed sin (Luke 13:1-5; 1Jn. 1:9). He cannot keep one saved who lives in sin (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). He cannot automatically cancel the death penalty when people sin and incur that penalty (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 16:1-27-23; 8:1-13). He cannot do away with free moral agency and moral responsibility (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Jn. 1:7). He cannot make one a slave to Himself so that he can never go back into sin if he chooses (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; 1Jn. 1:7). He cannot guarantee that every saved man will continue in Christ (John 15:1-8; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 9:27; Gal. 1:6-8; 5:4; Ex. 32:32-33; Ezek. 33:12-20). He cannot make any man a son of God in the same sense Jesus is (John 1:18; 3:16; Rom. 8:14-16). He cannot look upon the sins of the saved as being unreal, or deal with them on a different basis from those of the unsaved (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). He cannot cancel any reaping for what is sown (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 6:7-8). He cannot force a man to serve Him against his own will (John 3:16; 7:17; 8:34; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 22:17). He cannot recognize any man as His child or His servant who serves sin and the devil (Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Jn. 3:8-10). He cannot keep the saved from sin if he chooses to go back into sin (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:9-10, 6:19-20; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; Jas. 5:19-20; 1Jn. 2:1-2; Ezek. 33:12-20). He cannot keep one from incurring the death penalty should he go back into sin (Ex. 32:32-33; Ezek. 18:4; 33:12-20; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; Jas. 5:19-20). He cannot be lenient with any who sin or encourage anarchy in moral government (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:4; 33:12-20; Rom. 1:18-31; 5:12-21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Jas. 5:19-20).

To be continued…

Titus 1:2-4 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But had in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

‘Hope of eternal life’ – Unforfeitable eternal life is now a hope. Hope that is seen is not hope (Rom. 8:24-25). How can it be a hope and a present possession, as stated in John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:28-29? Why do we yet hope for it if we have it, as stated in Titus 1:2; 3:7 and 1Timothy 1:1? The simple truth is that it is now given to everyone who is in Christ on condition of remaining in Him (1Jn. 5:11-12; John 15:1-8; Gal. 1:6-8; 4:19; 5:4; etc.).

‘Cannot lie’ – Three things God cannot do: Lie (Tit. 1:2). Deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). Be tempted with evil (Jas. 1:13).

Thirty limitations of God are noted in Scripture: He cannot break His own laws (Ps. 119:89). He cannot lie (Heb. 6:17-19). He cannot deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). He cannot have respect of persons (Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:9-10). He cannot save one soul apart from grace and faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26; John 3:16). He cannot be unrighteous (Rom. 9:14). He cannot bless men apart from faith (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot curse men when they meet His terms (1Jn. 1:9). He cannot do away with or change His own eternal plan (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:11). He cannot save rebels who persist in rebellion, refusing to meet His terms (Pro. 1:22-33; 29:1; Matt. 18:3; John 3:3, 5). He cannot be tempted with evil (Jas. 1:13-15). He cannot tolerate hypocrisy (Isa. 1:13). He cannot spare Himself or Christ in the redemption of the human race from eternal hell (Matt. 27:42). He cannot turn down one soul that comes to Him according to His terms (John 6:37). He cannot judge the righteous with the wicked (Gen. 19:22; Rev. 20:5-6, 11-15). He cannot fail to answer prayer when unwavering faith is exercised (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8).

To be continued…