Inductive Study: Titus 1:15

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Titus 1:15

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your provision and encouragement.  This has been a strange week, but I've seen You in it.  Don't let me be led astray.  Help me to be an encouragement to others, not a stumbling block.  Help me shine You not me.  Protect my family and bless them.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Pure" in the Greek is katharos which means unstained, either literally or ceremonially or spiritually clean, guiltless, innocent, upright, because unmixed without undesirable elements, purified by God, free from the contaminating (soiling) influences of sin.  When a Pharisee saw that Jesus didn't wash his hands before eating, Jesus replied in Luke 11:39-41 "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you."  Acts 10:14-15 states "But Peter said, 'Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.' And a voice spoke to him again the second time, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.'”  To the upright all things are free from the contaminated influences of sin.

"Defiled" in the Greek is miano which means stain, pollute, corrupt, defile the soul, when sin taints by its polluting effects, sully, soil.  "Unbelieving" in the Greek is apistos which means incredulous, unchristian, not faithful because not persuaded, someone who rejects or refuses God's inbirthings of faith.  Romans 14:23 states "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."  "Nothing" in the Greek is outhen, oudeis, oldernia, ouden which means no one, none, not one, shuts the door, leaves no exceptions, declaring as fact that no valid example exists.  But to those who are stained and reject God nothing is innocent.

"Mind" in the Greek is nous which means understanding, reason, intellect, reasoning faculty, God given capacity of each person to think, organ for receiving God's thoughts through faith, mental capacity to exercise reflective thinking.  1 Timothy 6:5 states "useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself."  "Conscience" in the Greek is suneidesis which means persisting notion, joins moral and spiritual consciences as being created in the divine image, all people have the capacity to know right from wrong, innate discernment, self judging.  But even the stained person's intellect and capacity to know right and wrong are tainted by sin's polluting effects.

People who are "stained" or colored by sin will have even their thoughts and their judgment of themselves corrupted by that sin.  The unbeliever will be barraged by feelings of inadequacy and have low self esteem.  Even the most secular "successful" people have doubts about themselves.  This is mostly based on their reliance on only themselves.   The unbeliever is consumed with DEATH in some way or fashion whether they want to cheat it, fear it, or want to inflict it.  Conversely, the believer is free from self judgement and confusing thoughts.  Their faith and reliance is in Christ.  Be free, release the thoughts that weigh you down, believe in Jesus.

To the pure, all things are pure; but to the corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure; both their mind and their conscience are corrupted.

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W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:14

Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

Titus 1:14

Dear Heavenly Father, life is tough but you taught us not to worry about tomorrow.  I rest in your provision.  Please encourage me and my family and help us lean on you.  I thank You and praise You for everything.  You are awesome!   In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  This verse describes how NOT to be "sound in the faith" from verse 13.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Giving heed" in the Greek is prosecho which means hold to, attend to, turn to, to give full attention, to set a course and keep it, hold or cleave to a person or a thing.  1 Timothy 1:4 states "nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith."  "Fables" in the Greek is muthos which means speech, story, idle tale, fanciful story, myth, false account yet posing as true, fabrication which subverts what is actually true, invention, fiction, illusion.  Being sound in the faith is NOT holding onto or cleaving or giving full attention to fabrications that subvert what is true.  These false accounts that pose as being true will cause disputes and divisions among believers.

"Commandments" in the Greek is entole which means injunction, order, ordinance, law, end result of a command, authoritative order or warning.  Colossians 2:22 states "which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?"

"Men" in the Greek is anthropos which means human, mankind, people including men and women.  "Turn" in the Greek is apostrepho which means turn away, turn back, pervert, remove, restore, replace, desert, reject.  "Truth" in the Greek is alethia which means but not merely truth as spoken, truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man, straightforwardness, opposite of illusion, certainty, veracity, accuracy, conformance to facts.  1 Timothy 6:20 states "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—."  Being sound in the faith is NOT keeping warnings or laws or orders from humans who replace the truth for a lie.

What myths do people hold onto today?  The answer is anything that they want.  For example, in Australia in a recent census, 70,000 people cling to the Jedi Faith.   The Jedi Religion movement is based on the Star Wars fictional entertainment universe.  What warnings do people hold onto today? We are warned about what we eat all the way to the end of the world.  "Modern doomsayers have been predicting climate and environmental disaster since the 1960s. They continue to do so today. None of the apocalyptic predictions with due dates as of today have come true." Quote from https://cei.org/blog/wrong-again-50-years-failed-eco-pocalyptic-predictions.  In 1967, dire famine by 1975.  In 1969, pollution will make everyone disappear by 1989.  In 1970, the next ice age will arrive in 2000.   In 1988, Maldives islands completely under water by 2018.  In 2002, famine in 10 years.  In 2008, Ice-free Artic by 2013. 

There is a reason why there is more dystopia entertainment than utopia.  People crave, cleave to doom, death, destruction, or some other terrible fate.  People also tend to exaggerate to make a point or get accomplished what they want.  People also want to believe in what they want no matter how fanciful, preposterous, and false.  However, as believers, we are instructed not to give any attention to these myths and warnings.  In Matthew 6, Jesus instructs us about worrying about tomorrow.

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Don't worry about tomorrow.  Cling to Christ.

Not paying attention to Jewish myths and the commandments and rules of men who turn their backs on the truth.

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W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:13

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Titus 1:13

Dear Heavenly Father, although I and my family face adversity, I'm secure in my faith and trust in You.  I give You all the honor and glory.  Continue to protect us.  Thank You for all the kindness and healing that You have given us.  Please help me to stay diligent in my study so I will draw closer to Your will.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  "This testimony is true" refers to the previous verses.  The testimony is that Cretans are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Testimony" in the Greek is maturia which means witness, evidence, reputation, evidence given.  "True" in the Greek is alethes which means unconcealed, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful, true as it accords to fact, what can't be hidden, stresses undeniable reality when something is tested and ultimately found as fact.  The evidence demonstrating that Cretans are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons has been proven true as an undeniable reality.

"Rebuke" in the Greek is elegcho which means expose, convict, discipline, show as guilty, convince with solid compelling evidence, prove wrong, admonish, reprehend severely, chasten, punish.  "Sharply" in the Greek is apotomos which means abruptly, curtly, severely, precipitously.  Expose the Cretans to these facts immediately.

"Sound" in the Greek is hugiaino which means healthy, I am right, reasonable, pure, uncorrupted, in good working order, free of debilitation. "Faith" in the Greek is pistis which means belief, trust, confidence, fidelity, faithfulness, persuaded, come to trust, a gift of God not produced by people, guarantee, divine persuasion.  Witness to the Cretans so they may be uncorrupted and free from doctrinal error.

For most people, the easier road is to ignore laziness, corruption, or brutality from fellow employees than to address the issue head on and honestly.  This avoidance will always lead to more difficult struggles later on to the point where good employees leave.  We must stick to the facts when acknowledging these problems and avoid making it personal.   We must hold people accountable to their responsibilities and their failures.

As a Christian, this accountability is just as difficult.  When we discover other believers in sin, we tend to not meddle stating it's none of our business.  However, if one Christian wallows in the World, that act will show badly on the church and Christ.  Furthermore, this Christian could drag others along with them and turn away unbelievers from the faith.  Shining light on sin is never easy and always difficult, but avoiding it is just as bad as the sin.

This description is true. So rebuke them sharply so that they will be sound in the faith and free from doctrinal error,

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W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:12

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Titus 1:12

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your provision and healing.  Although there are bumps in the road, I know that You are there.  Please continue to be with me and my family.  Help us to live for You.  Grant us the knowledge and wisdom to aspire to Your will for our lives.  We praise and glorify Your name.    In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  We are examining who is not an elder.   "A prophet of their own" refers to Epimenides of Knossos who was a highly regarded 600 B.C. poet and philosopher from Crete.  Knossos known as the location of the Labyrinth was originally called Gnossos which is the root word for Gnostics.  His description of his own people had become a proverb. To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Prophet" in the Greek is prophetes which means interpreter, forth teller of divine will, poet (because poets were believed to sing under divine inspiration).  The prophet referred to here is generally accepted as Epimenides who was a philosopher poet.  He is most famous for his paradox or Liar's Paradox.  In a poem, Minos addresses Zeus who Epimenides considered immortal.  The poem states "They fashioned a tomb for you, holy and high one, Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies.  But you are not dead, you live and abide forever.  For you we live and move and have our being."  So the question becomes, if Cretans always lie and Epimenides is a Cretan, is anything he says true?  Are the Cretans lying that Zeus is mortal or is the prophet lying by saying Zeus is immortal?  A better way to understand this paradox is in the Star Trek episode "I, Mudd."  Captain Kirk tells an android that Mudd is a liar.  Then Mudd says, "I am lying."  If Mudd is indeed lying, then Mudd is telling the truth, which means Mudd just lied.

"Cretans" in the Greek is Kres which means an inhabitant of Crete.  The island of Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands and lies about 99 miles south of the Greek mainland.  It was the center of the first civilization called the Minoans (2700 to 1420 BC).  Over the years, they have be ruled by the Mycenaens, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, and the Ottomans.  The Labyrinth built there supposedly housed the Minotaur who has a head and tail of a bull and a body of a man.  "Cretan" often is confused with "Cretin" which means a stupid person.  However, there is no etymological link between the words.

"Always" in the Greek is aei which means unceasingly, perpetually, on every occasion, constantly, incessantly.  "Liars" in the Greek is pseutes which means deceiver, person who falsifies, alter information and evidence so as to mislead, distorts, misrepresents.  At every opportunity, Cretans lie.

"Evil" in the Greek is kakos which means bad, inward malice, inwardly foul, poisoned, morally rotten, wickedness, inner evil, troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful, wildness, ferocity, harmful effect.  "Beasts" in the Greek is therion which means wild animal, brutal, bestial man, savage, ferocious.  Cretans are inwardly poisoned, wild, brutal, harmful men.

"Lazy" in the Greek is argos which means inactive, idle, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious, likely to cause damage or harm, shunning labor one ought to perform.  "Gluttons" in the Greek is gaster which means the belly, the womb, stomach, a man who is as if he were all stomach, gormandizer, eat good food to excess.  Cretans shun activities that they should perform in order to eat endlessly.

Cretans are of the World.  Therefore from this verse, we see that the World focuses on themselves, deceives others and themselves, are morally corrupt, are unmotivated, and are concerned only with their own passions.  Conversely, Christians focus on others, have high moral standards, are role models, are ambitious, are zealous, and are concerned for God's passion which is to see everyone saved.  2 Peter 3:9 states "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."  Obviously, there are more "Cretans" than Christians.  Only through God's grace can someone become a Christian.  Only then through the Holy Spirit can a Christian be not of this World.  Don't be a Cretan.  Believe in Christ.

One of them [Epimenides, a Cretan], a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

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W.O.R.D. Worksheet

What happens when we die?

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Luke 16:19-31

This parable in Luke was in response to questions posed by the Pharisees.  The Pharisees were a political party of the synagogue during second temple period.  They were legalistic and separatist group who strictly kept the Law of Moses and the unwritten “tradition of elders.”   This "tradition of elders" or the oral law was developed by rabbis.  The traditions were meticulous rules for daily life that were eventually  written down in 200 AD in the Mishnah (Oral Torah).  The Pharisees were the only group to survive the destruction of the Temple and crafted Modern Judaism.

Jesus had just told His disciples in Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”  Mammon here is the Greek word, mamonas, which means riches, money, possessions, property, the treasure a person trusts in.  The Pharisees who were "lovers of money" derided Christ.  Jesus then told them about the Rich Man and Lazarus. 

This is the only parable where Jesus names one of the characters.  Therefore, many scholars believe that this was no imaginary tale but an actual incident that took place.  The parable was further evidence that riches don't indicate that you are blessed since the rich man would be excluded from heaven.  It's all about your heart, faith, and belief.  We will study this parable tonight to help us answer, "What happens when we die?"  Let's look at the two places in this text: "Abraham’s bosom" and "Hades."

ABRAHAM'S BOSOM

"Abraham’s bosom" is only found in this verse of Scripture.  The expression was also used a name for heaven in the Talmud, the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara (commentary on the Mishnah).  Verse 25 states that Lazarus "is comforted."  The Greek word is parakaleó which means exhort, encourage, believers offering up evidence that stands up in God's court.  In Heaven, Lazarus is comforted because of the evidence presented to God, that he believes in Jesus and received His free gift of salvation.

Luke 23:43 states "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'"  Jesus is telling the believing thief that today, not some time in the future, he will be with Jesus in paradise.  "Paradise" is the Greek word, paradeisos, which means a garden, a park, heaven, abode of believing souls until the resurrection.

The Apostle Paul also relates this immediate journey to heaven to be with Jesus.  Philippians 1:23-24 states "For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you."  "Depart" in the Greek is analuo which means to depart from life.  2 Corinthians 5:6-9 states "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."  "Absent" in the Greek is ekdemeo which means believers who are still alive as being away from home (heaven), the desire to be absent (away) from the restrictions of this world and going on to enjoy God's manifest glory.  In both these Scriptures, Paul was describing being present with the Lord in heaven immediately. 

John 3:36 states "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Death ushers us into the presence of Christ.  Believers are taken to heaven since their sins have been forgiven.  The soul goes to be with the Lord in heaven, and the body is buried until the day of resurrection when Jesus returns to the earth.

HADES

Hades, Sheol, Gehenna, the Abyss, and Tartarus.  The grave (Hebrew, sheol) refers to the realm of the dead, the netherworld, where it was thought departed spirits live.  Sheol is similar to Hades in the Greek, the dark and sorrowful domain of the dead.  Sheol can refer to both the gated kingdom of the netherworld and a dusty grave.  In Greek , Hades is also a god.  Sheol isn’t but is sometimes portrayed as a beast with gaping jaws.  The point of entry into Hades, the gate, is death.  Hebrews 2:14-15 states “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

In the Luke verses, Hades is described as a "place of torment."  "Torment" in the Greek is odunao which means suffer acute pain (physical and mental), personal anguish expressed by great mourning, all consuming sorrow. 

The Rich Man states that "I am tormented in this flame."  Matthew 13:30 states "Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"  Matthew 25:41 states "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." 

John 3:36 states "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  Hades is a place of everlasting fire causing acute pain turning into deep mourning and sorrow.  This is the wrath of God for those who don't believe and reject Jesus.  Verse 30-31 states "‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”  In this story, Jesus is mentioned as the one resurrected from the dead that won't persuade just as the prophets didn't persuade them.

Hebrews 9:27 states "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."  The statistics are intimidating, 100 out of 100 people die.  Abraham's bosom and Hades are not the end. There must be judgement for sin.  Romans 6:23 states "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

JUDGEMENT

Revelation 20:11-15 states "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

For the unbeliever, they will be cast into the "lake of fire" which is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment for unrepentant rebels, angelic or human.  This is the "resurrection of condemnation."

John 5:25-29 states "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."

RESURRECTION OF LIFE

Ultimately, believers should look forward to the resurrection of the dead to life.  Romans 8:23 states "Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."

1 Corinthians 15:50-54 states "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 states "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

Our souls will join our new bodies to live and reign with Christ on this new earth, new heaven. Revelation 21:1 states "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."

At Christ's return, all believers will be resurrected/raptured from the earth, leaving the "old home" of the unglorified body on the present earth to experience glorification. Revelation 19:7-9 states "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.'"

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?

For believers in Christ, their soul will go immediately to Heaven and be with Jesus.  When the great and glorious day of the Lord comes, the believer's soul will be united with their new glorified bodies - The Resurrection of Life.  They will join Christ on the new heaven and new earth.  For unbelievers, their soul will go into torment by flame, Hades, until judgement.  Then, they will join Satan in the lake of fire, the final hell - the Resurrection of Condemnation.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:16-18

Resources for this study:

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-happens-at-death

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-happens-death.html

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-happens-to-us-when-we-die.html

https://www.biblegateway.com

https://biblehub.com/

Inductive Study: Titus 1:11

whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Titus 1:10

Dear Heavenly Father, as we begin the summer, help us not to lose focus on You.   Whatever darkness may befall us, let us be secure in the knowledge that You are there and You never forget us or forsake us.  In all things, let God be the glory.   In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  We are transitioning from the qualifications of an elder to their responsibilities.   To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Mouths must be stopped" in the Greek is epistomizo which means stop the mouth, muzzle, silence, to bridle the mouth, reduce to silence.  This word only appears in Titus.  This verse is a continuation of the previous verse which discussed false teacher, bad leadership.  In this verse, these deceiving leaders must be silenced like putting a bridle in a horse's mouth.

"Subvert" in the Greek is anatrepo which means overturn, destroy, overthrow, corrupt, upsetting, turning away, disrupting.  "Household" in the Greek is oikos which means house, dwelling, lineage, nation, descendants, families, home, all the persons forming one family.  These deceiving leaders destroy families thus they will destroy the church.

"Teaching" in the Greek is didasko which means direct, admonish, cause to learn, instruct, impart knowledge, prescribe a thing, explain, expound, warn or reprimand someone firmly.  These deceiving leaders reprimand people on their activities whether good or for Christ.

"Sake" in the Greek is charin which means in favor of, for the pleasure of, by reason of, on account of, for this cause, incite pleasure of.  "Dishonest" in the Greek is aischros which means base, shameful, disgraceful, improper, sordid, dishonorable, venal, filthy, without moral principles, ignoble, wicked, evil, wretched, susceptibility to bribery, corruptible.  "Gain" in the Greek is kerdos which means advantage, profit, acquired through faith trading, lucre, money gained in a dishonest way.  These deceiving leaders do all these thing for greed.

Deceivers who must be muzzled to silence them, who corrupt, disrupt, and upset whole families, and who warn and reprimand which they shouldn't do.  All their activities are for money that they gain dishonestly.  Who does that remind you of?  Televangelists! Cults!  If the purpose of their work is not for the mission to evangelize the lost and disciple the believer in Biblical teaching, than they are a false teacher.

Romans 16:17-18 states "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple."  Don't be swayed by their encouraging, persuasive speech.  Know the Bible to be able discern false teaching and bad leadership.  Be wary of people trying to use you to get ahead.  Focus your life on Christ.

They must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they should not teach for the purpose of dishonest financial gain.

Amplified Bible

W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:10

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 

Titus 1:10

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you keep me focused on You and not what the world draws me into.  Please help me to have a just heart able to give people the benefit of the doubt.  Please be with my family, keep them close to You.  Thank you for everything, especially that You took the punishment for my depravity.  As we celebrate this week, help me not lose sight of You.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

Happy Easter!  We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  We are transitioning from the qualifications of an elder to their responsibilities.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Insubordinate" in the Greek is anupotaktoswhich means unruly, not subject to rule, disobedient, uncooperative, defiant attitude towards duly appointed authority, uncontrollable, rebellious, that cannot be subjected to control.  It is made up of the word, a, which means not and the word, hyprokrites, which means under God's arrangement.  In this verse, Paul will be talking about people in the church that trying to gain something from their relationships.  Here, Paul describes them as people defiant against God's authority.

"Idle talkers" in the Greek is mataiologoswhich means vain empty talker, talking idly, one who utters empty senseless things, no particular reason-purpose-foundation for talk.  This word only appears once in the Bible, here in Titus.  1 Timothy 1:6-7 states "from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm." "Deceivers" in the Greek is phrenapateswhich means seducer, self-deceiving, leading others into their delusions, exploiting those with a narrow mind. This word also only appears once in the Bible, here in Titus.  Paul further describes these forces in the church attempting to undermine God's work. They desire to be elders so they can talk about senseless things to exploit those that are gullible.

"Especially" in the Greek is malistawhich means most of all, very much the case, chiefly, above all. "Circumcision" in the Greek is peritomewhich means cut around, the removal of the male foreskin, visible sign of God's covenant in the Old Testament, Jews, they of the circumcision.  Acts 11:2 states "So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [certain Jewish believers who followed the Law] took issue with him [for violating Jewish customs]."  Although Paul has already warned us of defiant, deceiving, empty talkers, he adds another group that is worse than the first, Jewish believers who strictly follow the Law and customs (legalists).

Let's try to understand the people that Paul is talking about in this verse.  These people are disobedient, defiant, uncontrollable, rebellious towards duly appointed authority whether it be church leaders or God Himself.  These people utter empty foolish things with no common sense with no understandable purpose, reason, or foundation for the discussion.  These people are legalistic and add to the Gospel for what is needed for salvation, that you need the Law, customs, and traditions.  All of this is in an effort to accomplish their goal to lead others into their delusions (an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder) specifically to derive some benefit from easily persuaded people.  

If you have leaders either in your church, organization, or work, be aware.  They will take advantage of you.  To spot them, look for these characteristics: Rejects authority that may even reject Biblical teachings, uses charisma to engage you in nonsense, legalistic, and exploits others for their personal gain.

For there are many rebellious men who are empty talkers [just windbags] and deceivers; especially those of the circumcision [those Jews who insist that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law in order to be saved].

Amplified Bible

WORD Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:9

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 1:9

Dear Heavenly Father, please speak to me today so I can continue to grow in the love and knowledge of You.  Let this passage permeate my heart and help to live by it.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  In verse 9, Paul continues to outline requirements for elders.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Holding fast" in the Greek is antecho which means hold against, hold firmly, cleave to, to keep one directly opposite to anyone, endure, withstand, hold back, devoted.  2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 states "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."  1 Timothy1:15 states "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 2 Timothy 1:13 states "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."

"Faithful Word" in the Greek is made of two words, pistos which means reliable, trustworthy, believing, worthy of trust, can be relied on and logos which means embodying an idea, statement, speech, expressing the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit, message.  Therefore, "Faithful Word" means the reliable, trustworthy message of Father God told through the Holy Spirit.  Elders must cleave and be devoted to the trustworthy message of the Gospel that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

"Taught" in the Greek is didache which means doctrine, teaching, reliable time honored teaching, summarized body of respected teaching, instruction.  Elders keep firmly the doctrine taught by respected teachers.

"Able" in the Greek is dunatos which means strong, mighty, powerful, made possible by the power exerted, mighty in wealth and influence, strong in soul, to be able to do something.  By embracing the Gospel, elders are mighty in power, wealth and influence.

"Sound Doctrine" in the Greek is made of two words, hugiano which means healthy, reasonable, pure, uncorrupted, good working order, free from debilitation, true, in corrupt and didaskalia which means instruction, teaching, precepts, rule to regulate behavior or thought.  Therefore, "Sound Doctrine" means reasonable, uncorrupted rules to regulate behavior and thought.  1 Timothy 1:10 states "for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."

"Exhort" in the Greek is parakaleo which means to call to or for, encourage, admonish, comfort, console, offering up evidence that stands up in God's court, instruct, teach, beseech, ask urgently and fervently.  "Convict" in the Greek is elegcho which means expose, reprove, rebuke, discipline, show to be guilty, to convince with solid compelling evidence, bring light to, expose false teachers.  "Contradict" in the Greek is antilego which means speak against, oppose, resist, voicing opposition in a hostile argumentative way, dispute in order to thwart, deny.  With quality instruction of uncorrupted rules to regulate behavior and thought and the Good News, an elder has the fervent power to present solid, truthful, compelling evidence that thwarts and exposes false teachers.

At the end of each Bible Study blog, I add the Amplified Bible text for the study's Scripture.  The Amplified Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV), but references various texts in original languages to deepen the understanding and meaning for the Scripture.  I use the Amplified Bible to compare and confirm the word studies done for the Scripture. 

For today's verse, the Amplified Bible confers to me a different meaning than from the New King James version (NKJV).  From the NKJV as with the Amplified Bible, an elder has been taught the faithful, trustworthy message from God.  However in the NKJV, the text shows by this teaching, the elder can dispute and expose false teachers.  The Amplified relays the same thought, but adds that the elder also gives "accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine."  An elder is a teacher.

In previous verses, Paul outlines the elder's characteristics both internal and external, but we haven't touched on what an elder does.  In this verse, Paul begins to describe the tasks of an elder.  An elder is a teacher and a lawyer.  He will instruct people in the same Gospel and doctrines that were taught to him.  He will also prosecute the Gospel to uncover, reveal misleading, corrupt teaching that could lead people away from the true message.  To have power to teach and prosecute, an elder must be bathed and immersed in God's Word.  So, no matter how difficult the entrapments and busyness of the world can be, you must diligently study and learn from the Bible, God's Word, everyday.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error].

Amplified Bible

W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:8

but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

Titus 1:8

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You and thank You for my forgiveness through Christ.  Please help navigate through all the conflict in my life.  No matter how hard I try to be fair and just and accommodating, some people are never satisfied, thankful, or appreciative.  Help me to stay true to You.  Help me not be discouraged.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  In verse 8, Paul continues to outline requirements for elders.    To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Hospitable" in the Greek is philoxenos which means loving strangers, generous to guests, fond of guests.  This word is only used three times in the New Testament.  "Lover of what is good" in the Greek is philagathos which means loving that which is good, personal affection for what is intrinsically good.  It is made from the word philos, friend, and agathos, inherently good.  This word only appears in Titus.

"Sober-minded" in the Greek is sophron which means sound mind, temperate, chaste, modest, safe because moderated, a man who doesn't command himself but rather is commanded by God, curbing one's desires and impulses.  This word is used four times in the New Testament only when describing elders and older men in the church.  "Just" in the Greek is dikaios which means correct, righteous, by implication innocent, just in the eyes of God, the elect, approved by God, innocent, observing divine and human laws, faultless, guiltless, passing just judgement on others.

"Holy" in the Greek is hosios which means righteous, pious, beloved by God, accords with divine truth and hence deserves respect.  "Self-controlled" in the Greek is egkrates which means strong, master of, mastered from within, temperance, controlling, curbing, restraining.  1 Corinthians 9:25 states "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."  Temperate in this verse is the same as self-control used in Titus.

An elder must be fond and generous to guests, love strangers, have personal affection for what is inherently and intrinsically good, curb one’s desires and impulses, observe divine and human laws, accord with divine truth hence deserves respect, and be master of temperance  and restraint. An elder must be one with God’s moral code which can only happen if indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 states “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”  John 16:7-8 states "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."  God's Helper, the Holy Spirit, enables a believer to be this hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled man.  An elder must be a believer in Jesus Christ.

And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach—whether in public or in private].

Amplified Bible

W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:7

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

Titus 1:7

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for an awesome men's conference this weekend.  I know that I've learned a lot.  I hope the rest of the men did as well.  Please Lord work in those men's lives that are feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Please continue to be with my family.  Lord, thank you for Your grace, I'm so unworthy.  Please be with me on my study.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  In verse 7, Paul continues to outline requirements for elders.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Bishop" in the Greek is episkopos which means superintendent, overseer, supervisor, ruler, a man called by God to keep his eye on the church, care and protection, responsible to care for others, curator, guardian.  It is made of the word epi which means on or fitting contact which is intensified by the word skopos which means look intently.  A bishop passionately watches over the church.  A bishop is a guardian, protector, defender, champion, keeper of the faith.

"Blameless" in the Greek is anegkletos which means not to be called in account, unreproveable, irreproachable, not convictable when a person is properly scrutinized.  When all the eyes of the world attempt to tear apart the life of a bishop, the world cannot find a shred of sensational gossip or crime.

"Steward" in the Greek is oikonomos which means manager of a household, guardian, head and master of Christian theocracy.  It is made up of the word oikos which means household and nemo which means to allot or apportion.  Luke 12:42 states "And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?"  1 Corinthians 4:1 states "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." 1 Peter 4:10 states "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." A bishop is a custodian of the mysteries of God (God's plan) and the many different ways that God shows us His grace and mercy.  His responsibility and duty is to manage God's household.

"Self-willed" in the Greek is authades which means self pleasing, self satisfied, arrogant, exaggerated sense of one's importance or abilities, stubborn, fixed in self pleasure, self interest.  It is made of the word auto which means self and hedomai which is to gratify self or be indulgent.  Hedomai is where we get the word hedonism which means a school of thought that argues that the pursuit of pleasure and intrinsic goods are the primary or most important goals of human life.  2 Peter 2:10 states "and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries."  A bishop cannot be consumed in the pursuit and lust of pleasure which is an empty promise of fulfillment.

"Quick-tempered" in the Greek is orgilos which means inclined to anger, passionate, prone to anger, harbor resentment, prejudice, bitterness, nurturing long standing anger.  This word only appears in Titus.  A bishop cannot be bitter, resentful, inclined to anger.  A bishop cannot be easily baited by the world. 

"Given to wine" in the Greek is paroinos which means drunken, quarrelsome, addicted to wine, one who sits long at his wine, quarrelsome over wine, brawling, abusive, staying near wine.  This gives a picture of not only displacing the Holy Spirit with alcohol but someone whose alcoholic trip turns them abusive, angry, and confrontational.

"Violent" in the Greek is plektes which means a striker, contentious person, brawler, pugnacious, eager or quick to argue/quarrel/fight, causing or likely to cause an argument, bruiser, ready with a blow.  This is a person whose first inclination when the world attacks them is to attack back physically immediately without thought.

"Greedy for money" in the Greek is aischrokerdes which means greedy for base gain, fond of base gain, sordid gain, distaste and contemptable gain, eager for base gain, greedy for filthy lucre (money gained in a dishonorable way).  1 Timothy 3:8 states " Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money."  1 Peter 5:2 states "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly."  This person not only loves money but is willing to get money any way possible even if it is dishonorably.

Based on this verse, you may think being  bishop is unattainable.  Let's look at the requirements at a different angle.  Fathers think of the man your daughter will marry.  Think of minimum requirements that you expect for the man who will be taking your little girl away.  You would want this man to not be a criminal, not be lustful for pleasure any way he can get it, not abusive, not an alcoholic, and not have money as his god.  You'd want him to be your daughter's guardian and protector of her heart.  As father, this doesn't seem unreasonable.  God is no different.  A bishop is the caretaker of the church, the bride of Christ.  These requirements should be expected.  The church must demand nothing less.

For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain [but financially ethical].

Amplified Bible

W.O.R.D. Worksheet

Inductive Study: Titus 1:6

if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

Titus 1:6

Dear Heavenly Father,  in this colder season, please me and my family healthy and strong craving the Word of God.  Please be with our nation as we struggle against the draw of world and the confusion between right and wrong.  I praise Your name.  You are awesome and have given us everything.  I'm so unworthy but I'm justified through Your Son, Christ.  Thank You.  In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

We are in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement.  In verse 6, Paul begins to outline requirements for elders.  To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.

"Man" in the Greek is tis which means a certain one, someone, used of persons or things the writer either cannot or will not speak more particularly.  Although the word is indeterminate, further on in the verse, we see that tis is referring to a man, specifically as mentioned in the previous verse, presbuteros or elder .  "Blameless" in the Greek is anegkletos which means not to be called to account, unreproveable, irreproachable, unaccused, above reproach, beyond reproach, without disapproval, without disappointment, without criticism, without admonition.  A man can be an elder if they haven't been called to account or accused of their actions - a man of unquestionable integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

"Husband" in the Greek is aner which means man, male human being, husband, gentleman, with reference to sex to differentiate a man from a woman.  "Wife" in the Greek is gune which means woman, wife, my lady, bride, a woman of any age whether a virgin, married, or widow.  An elder has been married to only one woman.

"Faithful" in the Greek is pistos which means reliable, trustworthy, believing, persuaded, loyalty, believing the faith that God imparts, confiding, convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation.  "Children" in the Greek is teknon which means descendant, inhabitant, anyone living on full dependence on the heavenly father, child living in willful dependence, illustrates how we must all live in utter moment-by-moment dependence upon the Lord drawing guidance, care, nurture from our heavenly Father.  However in this verse, child means someone below the age of puberty or a son or daughter of any age.  An elder has sons and daughters that are convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation.

"Accused" in the Greek is kategoria which means charge, accusation of a crime, a charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong.  "Dissipation" in the Greek is asotia which means unsavedness, wastefulness, watonness, profligacy (reckless extravagance, licentious, promiscuous, unprincipled in sexual matters, dissolute behavior, lax in morals), the character of an abandoned man, incorrigibleness, prodigality (spending recklessly), debauchery.  Ephesians 5:18 states "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit."  "Insubordination" in the Greek is anuputaktos which means not subject to rule, unruly, not submissive, disobedient, unwilling to come under Christ's Lordship, uncooperative, defiant attitude, rebellious, that cannot be subjected to control, anti-authoritarian.  An elder has sons and daughters that haven't been charged of illegal or wrong doing, aren't unprincipled in sexual matters, aren't spending recklessly, aren't incorrigible, don't have a defiant attitude, or are unwilling to come under Christ's Lordship.

1 Timothy 3:2-4 states "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence."  These are very similar themes to the instruction to Titus.  We can use this verse to more deeply understand our text.  "Husband of one wife" could also be interpreted as a "man of one woman."  Both sections of Scripture give very high standards for an elder.

In First Timothy, the word for elder or bishop is episkopos which means overseer, supervisor, ruler, especially used with reference to the supervising function exercised by an elder or presbyter of a church or congregation, a man called by God to literally "keep an eye on" His flock (the Church, the body of Christ) and to provide personalized (first hand) care and protection.  This is same word used in Titus 1:7.  So, is verse 6 referring to elder as presbuteros or episkopos?  It is both.  The elders, overseers, pastors, and bishops are the primary spiritual leaders of a congregation. They teach the Word, preach the Word, and shepherd the souls of those under their care.

All leaders of the world fail to meet these standards.  Some even flaunt their indifference to this expectation or plead ignorance if caught.  However, there are plenty Christian leaders that also don't meet this standard.  Only by the grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are the elder standards even possible.  Although only a few are called to be an elder, we all as Christians are called to have unquestioned integrity and lead our house toward Christ.

namely, a man of unquestionable integrity, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of being immoral or rebellious.

Amplified Bible

W.O.R.D. Worksheet