Titus - Godly Character

The Book of Titus was written by Paul (in about A. D. 64) to his Greek disciple, Titus. Titus was in Crete at the time. Crete was a corrupt seaport where cargo ships stopped off as they traversed the Mediterranean. It had been socially backward for 1400 years. This letter was intended to help Titus as he instructed the Cretans in holy living. Titus was sent to Crete to oversee the churches and leaders, and to bring them into Godly order (Titus 1:5 NIV The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.) These Cretan Believers were living in a society where the people were known for being lazy, liars, and gluttons. Titus showcases Paul’s strategy for leadership and points the way for all Believers to live as lights in the midst of unprecedented evil.

One of the striking features of this book are the lists of character traits that show what a true Godly life looks like, and what an ungodly life looks like. I have attempted to put these into some sort of order, and pair them with character traits that show the Godly and ungodly sides of our heart. I have used several translations (particularly NKJV, NIV, NLT, AMP and NLV) in order to get a greater understanding of each of these character traits. Different translations use different words to describe what the Holy Spirit is saying through these verses.

The Lord is more interested in our character than our gifts or talents. I use lists such as these to take inventory of where I stand with the Lord, and how I can move forward – away from ungodly behavior, and towards His holiness:

Key verse: Titus 2:14

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin,

to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people,

totally committed to doing good deeds.

Godly Character For Elders (Leaders of the Church)

Godly Character	Ungodly Character	Fruit of the Spirit Needed to Grow this Character
Husband of one wife; faithful to his wife, blameless 1:6	Wild and disobedient; immoral; rebellious 1:6	Patience—Gal. 5:22
Faithful children - Believers 1:6	Overbearing 1:7	Gentleness—Gal. 5:23
Hospitable; a servant; enjoy having guests 1:8	Unable to manage the household 1:7	Joy—Gal. 5:22
Lover of what is good 1:8	Violent; Quick-tempered; gets angry over little things  1:7	Goodness—Gal. 5:22
Sober-minded; wise 1:8	Self-willed; arrogant 1:7	Peace—Gal. 5:22
Just; financially ethical 1:7-8	Greedy; dishonest with money 1:7	Faithfulness—Gal. 5:22
Holy 1:8	Sinful 1:15	Love—Gal. 5:22
Self-controlled; disciplined 1:8	Given to (much) wine; heavy drinker 1:7; 2:3	Self-control—Gal. 5:23
Trusting in the Word and able to teach the truth 1:9	Opposing the Word; stands against the truth 1:9-10	Kindness—Gal. 5:22

G

Godly Character For all Believers – Men and Women

Godly Character	Ungodly Character
Sober; self-control; dignified 2:2; 2:12	Addicted to wine; insubordinate; rebellious 1:10; 2:3
Reverent; sound in faith 2:2-3; 2:7	Idle (useless, empty) talkers 1:10
Temperate; wise 2:2; 2:6; 2:12	Deceivers – false teachers 1:10
Sound in Faith 2:2	Unbelieving 1:15
Loving 2:2	Defiled 1:15
Patient; steadfast; endurance 2:2	Deny God; Detestable; disobedient and unfit for doing anything good 1:16
Teachers of good things that encourage younger Christian women to tenderly love their husbands and children 2:4-5	Deceived 3:3
Discreet; wise 2:5; 2:6	Slanderers; malicious gossips 2:3
Chaste; pure 2:5	Impure 2:15
Kind; good-natured; do good works of every kind; have homes where God is honored 2:3; 2:5-7	Living in malice; malicious gossips 3:3
Teach the truth 2:8	Dishonest; 1:11; Turned away from the truth 3:11
Obedient (submissive) to their husbands 2:5	Disobedient 1:16; 3:2
Strict regard for integrity; beyond reproach 2:7-8	Disqualified; worthless for anything good 1:16
Incorruptible; self-control; seriousness 2:6-7	Corrupt mind; conscience and heart 1:15
Sound speech; teach truth; wisdom 2:8; 2:12	Foolish 3:2
Righteous; upright 2:12	Lustful; worldly immoral desires & passions; enslaved to various sinful desires 2:12; 3:3
Godly; devotion to God 2:12	Ungodliness 2:12
Looking for the appearing of Jesus with confident expectation 2:13	Unbelieving, deny and disown God 1:15
Submit (subject) to rulers and authorities 3:1	Strivings about the law 3:9
Obedient 3:1	Foolish and disobedient; Hateful 3:3
Ready for every good work; Always ready to do what is good 3:1	Foolish, ill-informed disputes; controversies 3:9
Speak evil (slander) of no one 3:2	Quarrels and fights 3:9
Peaceable; kind 3:2	Contentions; foolish discussions 3:9
Gentle 3:2	Envious; malice; evil; hatred; hateful 3:3
Humble towards all; show consideration to all 3:2	Divisive 3:10
Participate in good and honorable things – things that are excellent and profitable for all people 3:8	Heresies that cause divisions and confusion

Godly Character For Slaves

Godly Character	Ungodly Character
Obedient; subject to masters; pleasing 2:9	Answering back 2:9
Showing good faith; trustworthy; good, do credit to the teachings of the Lord 2:10	Stealing (pilfering) 2:10

Key verse: Titus 3:4-7

But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit

6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence

that we will inherit eternal life