We see Paul’s Response To Redemption
in 04 ways…01. The Completed Work of
Jesus (Titus 01.01a); 02. Saving Faith (Titus 01.01b); 03. The Truth
of Grace (Titus 01.01c) & 04. The Hope of Eternal Life (Titus 01.02).
01. The Completed Work of Jesus (Titus 01.01a)
Titus 01.01 “1
Paul, a bond-servant of God & an apostle of Jesus Christ…”
“1 a bond-servant” G1401.
doulov doulos doo'-los; from 1210; a slave
(literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a
qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):-- bond(-man), servant.
“1 apostle of Jesus
Christ” G652. apostolov
apostolos ap-os'-tol-os; from 649;
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner
of Christ ["apostle"] (w/miraculous powers):-- apostle, messenger, he
that is sent.
Paul was able to proclaim that
he was a bondservant (doulos) of God & an apostle of Jesus Christ because
of the work of Jesus the Christ on the cross.
Originally, in order for you to
be right w/God, there needed to be a sacrifice to “cover” your sins.
We see this from the beginning w/Adam
& Eve after they sinned
Genesis 03.21 “21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam &
his wife, & clothed them.”
Later, after the Law was given, we
see that the sinner needed a High Priest, who stood in your place on Yom
Kippur, the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16),
who sacrificed for you.
Atonement= H3722 rpk
kaphar kaw-far'; a primitive root; to
cover (specifically w/bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate
or cancel:-- appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be
merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
The Hebrew name for this day is Yom Hakkippurim, but mostly
it is shortened to “Yom Kippur”. Yom=Day Kippur=Repentance
Atonement carries w/it the idea to
remove by paying a price.
Titus 01.01 “1 Paul, a bond-servant of God & an apostle of
Jesus Christ…”
1 Chronicles 06.49 “49 But Aaron & his sons offered on the
altar of burnt offering & on the altar of incense, for all the work of the
most holy place, & to make atonement (H3722 rpk kaphar kaw-far') for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had
commanded.”
The Book of Hebrews is essentially a commentary on the sacrificial
system that God gave to Moses.
The writer of Hebrews says under the inspiration of
the Holy Spirit…
Hebrews 09.22 “22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all
things are cleansed w/blood, & w/o shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness.”
(See also Leviticus 04.20, 26, 35; Leviticus
05.10, 12, 18; Leviticus 06.07; Leviticus 17.11)
Turn to…
Hebrews 10.01-04 “1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come
& not the very form of things,
can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year,
make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be
offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer
have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is
impossible for the blood of bulls & goats to take away sins.”
So we see that the Law is only “01 a shadow of good things to come”,
but it’s not the real thing. Because by the Law your sins were only “covered”
not “wiped out”.
Let us learn more about this
High Priest…
Hebrews 07.11-14 “11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical
priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further
need was there for another priest to
arise according to the order of Melchizedek (Genesis 14), & not be designated according to the
order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes
place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are
spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe
w/reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.”
So the writer of Hebrews just told us that the perfect
High Priest was not going to be from the priestly tribe of Levi, but from the
tribe of Judah!
Titus 01.01 “1 Paul, a bond-servant of God & an apostle of Jesus
Christ…”
Jesus was from the tribe of
Judah, & we see mentioned throughout the Bible that the Messiah
(HaMashiach) was going to be from the tribe of Judah…
Genesis 49.10 “10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor
the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
Ruth 01.01 “1 Now it came about in the days when the judges
governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem
in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab w/his wife & his two sons.”
Ruth 04.17 “17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A
son has been born to Naomi (pleasant)!”
So they named him Obed (serving). He
is the father of Jesse (to stand out),
the father of David (loving).”
1Samuel 17.12 “12 Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of
Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, & he had eight sons. And Jesse
was old in the days of Saul, advanced in
years among men.”
2Samuel 07.13 “13 “He shall build a house for My name, & I
will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
Psalm 78.68 “68 But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which
He loved.”
Psalms 78.70 “70 He also chose David His servant And took him
from the sheepfolds;”
Micah 05.02 “2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah (just
saw this in 1Samuel 17.12), Too little to be among the clans of
Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings
forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.””
In Matthew 01 & Luke 03,
we see that Joseph & Mary were both from the tribe of Judah.
Back in the Book of Hebrews, we see that Jesus is our High Priest…
Hebrews 02.17 “17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren
in all things, so that He might become a merciful & faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Hebrews 03.01 “1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a
heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle & High Priest of our
confession;”
Hebrews 04.14-15 “14 Therefore, since we have a great high
priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize w/our
weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet w/o sin.”
Titus 01.01 “1 Paul, a bond-servant of God & an apostle of
Jesus Christ…”
Hebrews 09.11-15 “11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to
come, He entered through the greater &
more perfect tabernacle, not made w/hands, that is to say, not of this
creation; 12 & not through the blood of goats & calves, but through His
own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal
redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats & bulls & the ashes of a
heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the
flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself w/o blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new
covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the
transgressions that were committed
under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of
the eternal inheritance.”
Because Jesus is now our High
Priest, our sins can be completely forgiven!
Psalms 103.12
“12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
transgressions from us.”
The circumference of the earth at the equator is about
24,901.55 miles (40,075.16 km). The distance between the North & South
Poles is about 24,859.82 miles (40,008 km).
The LORD speaking says…
Isaiah 01.18
“18 “Come now, & let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins
are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like
crimson, They will be like wool.”
Remember that Jesus paid the price in full when He hung
& died on the cross, He was our perfect High Priest!
John 19:30 “30
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And
He bowed His head & gave up His spirit.”
Our salvation is all a work of God & not a work of man!
When He died, we read…
Mark 15:38 “38
And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
This veil was 13-17 feet high, 06-08 inches thick, & it
took 100 priests to move it!
So what was once only possible for 01 man to do once a year
on the Day of Atonement now has been made possible for all men to approach God!
That’s why we read the writer of Hebrews saying…
Hebrews 4:16
“16 Therefore let us draw near w/confidence to the throne of grace, so that we
may receive mercy & find grace to help in time of need.”
Paul says in…
Colossians 2:14
“14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against
us, which was hostile to us; & He has taken it out of the way, having
nailed it to the cross.”
The picture here in this verse is that of a written
contract, in which we bind ourselves to do any work, or to make a payment,
& which remains in force against us until the pledge is fulfilled.
Once the contract is fulfilled, they would either then blot
out the names, or draw lines through it, what was also common in that culture is
that they would take a nail & drive it through the contract.
2Corinthians 05.18-21
“18 Now all these things are from
God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ & gave us the ministry of
reconciliation (atonement), 19
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting
their trespasses against them, & He has committed to us the word of
reconciliation (atonement). 20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal
through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made
Him who knew no sin to be sin on our
behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Titus 01.01 “1
Paul, a bond-servant of God & an apostle of Jesus Christ…”
02. Saving Faith (Titus
01.01b)
Titus 01.01b “1 …for the faith of those chosen of God…”
“1 …for the faith of those chosen of God…”
“1 faith” G4102. pistiv pistis pis'-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral
conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher),
especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such
profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--
assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
G3982. peiyw peitho pi'-tho; a primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false);
by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or
passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward
certainty):-- agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) conflent, make
friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.
“1 those chosen of
God” G1588. eklektov eklektos
ek-lek-tos'; from 1586;
select; by implication, favorite:-- chosen, elect.
G1586. eklegomai eklegomai ek-leg'-om-ahee;
middle voice from 1537 & 3004 (in its primary sense); to
select:-- make choice, choose (out), chosen.
Thayer-to
obtain salvation through Christ
Titus 01.01b “1 …for the faith of those chosen of God…”
This is in reference to saving
faith in Jesus as the Son of God…
Romans 10.09-10 “9 that if you confess w/your mouth Jesus as Lord, & believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for w/the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, & w/the mouth he confesses,
resulting in salvation.”
John 10.26-27 “26 “But you (the Jewish leaders) do not believe because you are not of My
sheep. 27 “My sheep hear My voice, & I know them, & they follow Me;”
Ephesians 02.08-09 “8 For by grace you have been saved through
faith (G4102. pistiv pistis pis'-tis); & that not of yourselves, it
is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
1Timothy 01.05 “5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a
pure heart & a good conscience & a sincere faith (G4102. pistiv pistis pis'-tis).”
03. The Truth of Grace (Titus 01.01c)
Titus 01.01c
“1 …& the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”
“1 & the
knowledge” G1922. epignwsiv
epignosis ep-ig'-no-sis; from 1921;
recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:--
(ac-)knowledge(-ing, -ment).
G1921. epiginwskw epiginosko ep-ig-in-oce'-ko; from 1909 &
1097; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become
fully acquainted with, to acknowledge:-- (ac-, have, take)know(-ledge, well),
perceive.
Thayer-knowledge
of the things ethical & divine
Paul talks about this “1 …knowledge of the truth which is
according to godliness,”
Colossians 02.02 “2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having
been knit together in love, & attaining
to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery,
that is, Christ Himself,”
“2 mystery” G3466. musthrion
musterion moos-tay'-ree-on; from a
derivative of muw muo (to shut the
mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by
initiation into religious rites):-- mystery.
Titus 01.01c
“1 …& the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”
To us today, when we
hear the word “mystery”, we tend to think of something dark & insidious.
Maybe even some sort of conspiracy theory, or something to be afraid of or
cautious about.
The false teachers
used this word to describe the inner secrets of their false religions.
But this is not how
the word was used in Paul’s day.
So when you see the
word “mystery” in the New Testament, it means that which was hidden in the past
& is now revealed by the Holy Spirit.
The mystery that Paul
refers to in Colossians 02.02 is
explained further in…
Ephesians 03.01-06
“1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you
Gentiles-- 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which
was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery
(G3466. musthrion musterion moos-tay'-ree-on), as I wrote before in brief. 4 By
referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery
of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men,
as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles & prophets in the Spirit;
6 to be specific, that the Gentiles
are fellow heirs & fellow members of the body, & fellow partakers of
the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,”
So what is this
mystery that was hidden in the Old Testament but now revealed by the Holy
Spirit through Paul?
This mystery is that the Gentiles, who once were excluded
from the glory & riches of God’s grace, are now no longer excluded!
How did this happen?
Well we read in…
Ephesians 02.11-22
“11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are
called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands-- 12 remember that you were at that time
separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, & strangers
to the covenants of promise, having no hope & w/o God in the world. 13 But
now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the
blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one & broke down the
barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in
Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 & might reconcile them both in one
body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE
CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE
NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers & aliens, but you are fellow
citizens w/the saints, & are of God’s household, 20 having been built on
the foundation of the apostles & prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the
corner stone, 21 in whom the whole
building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22
in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
What was this
dividing wall in Ephesians 02.14? There are 03 commonly
held ideas…
01. There was
about a 4½ foot wall separating the Court of the Gentiles from the Court of the
Jews. Archeologists have discovered that there were signs in Greek & in Latin
declaring: “No foreigner may enter w/in
the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary & enclosure. Anyone who is
caught doing so will have himself to blame for his ensuing death.”
In fact, it was this wall that the Jews thought Paul &
his Gentile friends crossed when the Jews attacked him in the Temple &
threatened to kill him in Acts 21.28-31.
02. Maybe it was
the Veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place in the Temple,
which was torn when Jesus died on the cross…
Matthew 27.51
“51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;
& the earth shook & the rocks were split.”
Mark 15.38 “38
And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
Luke 23.45b
“…& the veil of the temple was torn in two.”
Conservative estimates are that it was 13-17 feet high,
06-08 inches thick & took 100 priests to move it.
03. Or maybe it
was the dividing wall of spiritual enmity between the Jews & Gentiles,
which of course separated them. The Jews had 613 laws of the Torah, which
included the 10 Commandments & all the dietary laws.
What was it that
Jesus did to make both groups (Jews & Gentiles) united?
Jesus died so that we might become 01 in Him!
Romans 10.12-13
“12 For there is no distinction between Jew & Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches
for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL
BE SAVED. (Joel 02.32)””
Ephesians 02.16
“16 & might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it
having put to death the enmity.”
Jesus the Christ destroyed death
by death, in a way crucifying death on the cross w/Him! By doing this He now
reunited man w/God.
Titus 01.01c “1 …& the knowledge of the truth which is
according to godliness,”
Adam deliberately violated God’s
command by eating from the forbidden tree.
Genesis 03.06 “6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for
food, & that it was a delight to the eyes, & that the tree was
desirable to make one wise, she took
from its fruit & ate; & she gave also to her husband w/her, & he
ate.”
Job 31.33 “33 “Have I covered my transgressions like Adam, By
hiding my iniquity in my bosom,”
Hosea 06.06-07 “6 For I (God) delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God
rather than burnt offerings. 7 But like Adam they (Israel) have transgressed the covenant; There they
(Israel) have dealt treacherously
against Me.”
Romans 05.01-21 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we
have peace w/God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have
obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; & we
exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in
our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 &
perseverance, proven character; & proven character, hope; 5 & hope does
not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out w/in our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still
helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly
die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare
even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been
justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been
reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also
exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received
the reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the
world, & death through sin, & so death spread to all men, because all
sinned-- 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when
there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over
those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type
of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For
if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of
God & the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the
many. 16 The gift is not like that which
came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free
gift arose from many transgressions
resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death
reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace &
of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18
So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men,
even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life
to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,
even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20
The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin
increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death,
even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.”
1Corinthians 15.21-22 “21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
1Corinthians 15.45, 56-58 “45 So also it is written, “The first
MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” (Genesis 02.07) The last Adam became a
life-giving spirit…56 The sting of death is sin, & the power of sin is the
law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
What was lost in the Garden (man
having a relationship w/God) is now gained through the work of Jesus the
Christ!
John contrasts this w/denying
that the Jesus is the Son of God (X. Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses
(JW’s), etc)
1John 02.23 “23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father;
the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.”
“1 …& the
knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”
“1 of the truth” G225.
alhyeia aletheia al-ay'-thi-a; from 227; truth:--
true, X truly, truth, verity.
G227. alhyhv alethes al-ay-thace'; from 1 (as a negative particle) & 2990;
true (as not concealing):-- true, truly, truth.
Thayer-the
truth, which is the gospel
1 Timothy 3:16 “16 By common confession, great is the mystery (G3466. musthrion
musterion moos-tay'-ree-on) of godliness: He who was revealed in the
flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the
nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”
“1 godliness,” G2150.
eusebeia eusebeia yoo-seb'-i-ah; from 2152; piety;
specially, the gospel scheme:-- godliness, holiness.
G2152. eusebhv eusebes yoo-seb-ace'; from 2095 & 4576; well-reverent,
i.e. pious:-- devout, godly.
G2095.
eu eu yoo; neuter of a primary euv
eus (good); (adverbially) well:-- good, well (done).
G4576.
sebomai sebomai seb'-om-ahee; middle voice of an
apparently primary verb; to revere, i.e. adore:-- devout, religious, worship.
Thayer-the
truth that leads to godliness
If you have truly experienced
the grace from God, (getting what you don’t deserve), the only recourse is to
live a life that is Godly.
Remember what Jesus said to
Simon the Pharisee when the woman who was a prostitute anointed Jesus at Simons
house…
Luke 07.47 “47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which
are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven
little, loves little.””
Titus 01.01c “1 …& the knowledge of the truth which is
according to godliness,”
Peter said…
2Peter 01.02-04 “2 Grace & peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God & of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has
granted to us everything pertaining to life & godliness, through the true
knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory & excellence. 4 For by these
He has granted to us His precious & magnificent promises, so that by them
you may become partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
2Peter 03.10-18 “10 But the day of the Lord will come like a
thief, in which the heavens will pass away w/a roar & the elements will be
destroyed w/intense heat, & the earth & its works will be burned up. 11
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people
ought you to be in holy conduct & godliness, 12 looking for & hastening
the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by
burning, & the elements will melt w/intense heat! 13 But according to His
promise we are looking for new heavens & a new earth, in which
righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things,
be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless & blameless, 15 &
regard the patience of our Lord as
salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given
him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his
letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to
understand, which the untaught & unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you
are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men & fall from your own
steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord &
Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the
glory, both now & to the day of eternity. Amen.”
04. The Hope of Eternal Life (Titus 01.02)
Titus 01.02 “2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages
ago,”
“2 in the hope” G1680.
elpiv elpis el-pece'; from a primary elpw
elpo (to anticipate, ususally w/pleasure); expectation (abstractly or
concretely) or confidence:-- faith, hope.
Thayer-expectation
of good, hope, joyful & confident expectation of eternal salvation
Jesus addressed the Jewish
religious leaders w/their hope…
John 05.39-40
“39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal
life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 & you are unwilling to come to
Me so that you may have life.”
The religious leaders of that time studied the Old Testament
diligently.
In fact, they believed that if 01 could understand the words
of the Old Testament, then through the study & understanding of the Old
Testament, they would receive eternal life.
They even taught that those who were ignorant of the Law
would be under a curse (John 07.49)
Paul writes that there is a veil over the minds of these
Jewish religious leaders & that they fail to see that Jesus is the Promised
Messiah, HaMashiach, the Messiah or Anointed One, the Christ.
2Corinthians 03.15
“15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;”
As we have seen in previous studies, Jesus is spoken of
throughout the Old Testament; He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament
sacrificial system, the perfect lamb, the Son of David, who has come to take
away the sins of the world (John 01.29).
Remember what He said to the disciples on the road to
Emmaus…
Luke 24.27 “27
Then beginning w/Moses & w/all the prophets, He explained to them the
things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
Titus 01.02 “2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages
ago,”
Likewise, many people today think that studying the Bible is
what will give them eternal life, & not a way for them to gain a greater
knowledge of God & how to live Godly.
It is important to read & study the Bible, as well as
hear it taught, but we need to apply shoe leather to the Word of God.
James 01.19-25
“19 This you know, my beloved
brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak & slow to anger; 20 for the anger of
man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all
filthiness & all that remains of
wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your
souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, & not merely hearers who
delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word & not a doer,
he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself & gone
away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who
looks intently at the perfect law, the law
of liberty, & abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an
effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.”
Peter tells us that our hope is
found in Jesus…
1Peter 01.03-25 “3 Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable & undefiled &
will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the
power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last
time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of
your faith, being more precious than
gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in
praise & glory & honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 &
though you have not seen Him, you love Him, & though you do not see Him
now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice w/joy inexpressible & full of
glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 10
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches &
inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ w/in
them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ & the glories
to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves,
but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who
preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into
which angels long to look. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep
sober in spirit, fix your hope
completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written,
“YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 17 If you address as Father the One who
impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during
the time of your stay on earth; 18
knowing that you were not redeemed w/perishable things like silver or gold from
your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but w/precious
blood, as of a lamb unblemished & spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation
of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who
through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead & gave Him
glory, so that your faith & hope are in God. 22 Since you have in obedience
to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently
love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed
which is perishable but imperishable, that
is, through the living & enduring word of God. 24 For, “ALL FLESH IS
LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND
THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is
the word which was preached to you.”
Titus 01.02 “2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who
cannot lie, promised long ages ago,”
Since Jesus is our hope, we know
that we will be given eternal life.
“2 of eternal” G166.
aiwniov aionios ahee-o'-nee-os; from 165;
perpetual (also used of past time, or past & future as well):-- eternal,
for ever, everlasting, world (began).
G165. aiwn aion ahee-ohn'; from the same as 104; properly, an age; by
extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially
(Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):-- age, course, eternal, (for)
ever(-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, w/o end).
Compare 5550.
G104.
aei aei ah-eye'; from an obsolete primary noun (apparently meaning
continued duration); "ever," by qualification regularly; by
implication, earnestly:-- always, ever.
Thayer-w/o
beginning or end
“2 life” G2222. zwh zoe dzo-ay'; from 2198; life (literally or figuratively):--
life(-time). Compare 5590.
G2198. zaw zao dzah'-o; a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--
life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Thayer-the
blessing of real life after the resurrection
1John 02.25 “25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us:
eternal life.”
Jude 01.17-21 “17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words
that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that
they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following
after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions,
worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves
up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in
the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to
eternal life.”
1John 05.11-13 “11 And the testimony is this, that God has given
us eternal life, & this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the
life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These
things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that
you may know that you have eternal life.”
1John 05.20 “20 And we know that the Son of God has come, &
has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; & we are in
Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God & eternal
life.”
Titus 01.02 “2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages
ago,”
We know this is true because He cannot lie
“2 cannot lie” G893.
aqeudhv apseudes aps-yoo-dace'; from 1 (as a
negative particle) & 5579; veracious:-- that cannot lie.
G5579. qeudov pseudos psyoo'-dos; from 5574; a falsehood:-- lie, lying.
G5574.
qeudomai pseudomai psyoo'-dom-ahee; middle voice of an
apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by
falsehood:-- falsely, lie.
Thayer-w/o lie,
truthful
Numbers 23.19 “19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a
son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, & will He not do it? Or has
He spoken, & will He not make it good?”
1Samuel 15.29 “29 “Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or
change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.””
2Timothy 02.13 “13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for
He cannot deny Himself.”
Hebrews 06.17-18 “17 In the same way God, desiring even more to
show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose,
interposed w/an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is
impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong
encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.”
Titus 01.02 “2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who
cannot lie, promised long ages ago,”
We also know this is true
because it is what He has promised.
“2 promised” G1861.
epaggellw epaggello ep-ang-el'-lo; from 1909 &
the base of 32; to announce upon (reflexively), i.e. (by implication) to
engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself:-- profess,
(make) promise.
G1909. epi
epi ep-ee'; a primary preposition;
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation
of distribution [w/the genitive case], i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (w/the
det.) at, on, etc.; of direction (w/the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--
about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at,
beside, X have charge of, (be-, [where-])fore, in (a place, as much as, the
time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of,
through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the
same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
G32. aggelov aggelos ang'-el-os; from aggellw
aggello [probably derived from 71; compare 34] (to bring
tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a
pastor:-- angel, messenger.
Thayer-to give
a promise to one
This word in the original Greek is written in the Aorist
tense, Middle Deponent voice, Indicative mood (5662)…
Aorist tense= the
concept of the verb is considered w/o regard for past, present, or future time.
Middle Deponent voice=
Usually translated in the Active voice. The active voice represents the subject
as the doer or performer of the action.
e.g., in the sentence, “The boy hit the ball,” the boy performs the
action.
Indicative mood= The
indicative mood is a simple statement of fact.
If an action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be
rendered in the indicative mood.
2Timothy 01.08-11 “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join w/me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who
has saved us & called us w/a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose & grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus
from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior
Christ Jesus, who abolished death & brought life & immortality to light
through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher & an apostle &
a teacher.”
“2 long ages ago”
G5550. cronov chronos khron'-os; of uncertain derivation; a
space of time (in general, & thus properly distinguished from 2540,
which designates a fixed or special occasion; & from 165, which
denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual
opportunity; by implication, delay:-- + years old, season, space, (X often-) time(-s),
(a) while.
Thayer-before
times eternal
1Peter 01.20-23 “20 For He was foreknown before the foundation
of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who
through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead & gave Him
glory, so that your faith & hope are in God. 22 Since you have in obedience
to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently
love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed
which is perishable but imperishable, that
is, through the living & enduring word of God.”
Revelation 13.08 “8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him,
everyone whose name has not been
written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who
has been slain.”
Titus 01.02 “2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who
cannot lie, promised long ages ago,”
So because of the work that
Jesus did on the cross & rising from the dead on the 3rd day,
Paul is saying this is why he is a doulos, a willing servant, & one who is
sent out by God to tell the world the truth of God.
Paul’s response to the salvific
work of Jesus on the cross is recognizing that his life was worth nothing
unless he was doing what God had called him to do.
Acts 20.24 “24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as
dear to myself, so that I may finish my course & the ministry which I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of
God.”
Paul was going to live fully for
Jesus!
We see Paul’s Response To Redemption
in 04 ways…01. The Completed Work of
Jesus (Titus 01.01a); 02. Saving Faith (Titus 01.01b); 03. The Truth
of Grace (Titus 01.01c) & 04. The Hope of Eternal Life (Titus 01.02)
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