A Torah Verse By Verse Commentary Of Paul's Epistles by Re'tzon Ha'El - HTML preview

Chapter 3

V1 This verse needs to be cross referenced with other scriptural passages, if one is to understand who or what he is referring to cf Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17; Matt 22:21; Eccl 8:2-5.

a. Arche/principality is the first in line in leadership. Translated as rulers in Rom 13:3 

b. Exousia/power is better rendered as authorities.

c. Peitharcheo wrongly translated ‘magistrates’ actually is a verb meaning to obey. The Greek word for magistrates is ‘strategos’ found in Acts 16:22. Elsewhere in scripture this word is also translated as captains e.g. Acts 4:1; 5:24

Having placed all parallel verses in context and examined the root Greek words used from the original Bible manuscripts, it is quite evident that the rulers referred to, whom all the different sectors of society listed in chapter 2 were to be subject to, were not the heathen secular rulers. Yehovah may have allowed for Satan to appoint them, but never directly ordained secular unbelieving rulers into power cf Lk 4:6-7.

It is quite clear in the Rom 13 and 1 Pet 2 passages that the rulers to be respected were holy men, ordained by Yehovah, following the laws of Elohim, and ultimately given the authority to punish the wicked. It is impossible to try and misinterpret these verses as alluding to our secular leaders who promote wickedness, and frustrate righteousness. Would Yehovah Elohim expect us to submit to leaders practising and/or permitting homosexuality, abortions, bestiality, worship of false gods, witchcraft, removal of capital punishments, and simultaneously incarcerating those Christians who publicly decry this wickedness and are not politically correct? We do not have an Elohim of confusion, and the Holy Spirit-breathed scripture certainly will not contradict itself cf 1 Cor 14:33; 2 Tim 3:16-17.

The verse ends by stating that the congregants encouraged to obey their Holy rulers, were to be prepared to do every good deed that their authorities instructed. This further negates any notion presented by confused commentators that this verse obliges us to be subject to any leader voted into power, regardless of their anti-Messiah rhetoric.

V2 Paul entrusted Titus to instruct the Cretan assemblies to blasphemeo medeis/revile or blaspheme nobody. An unrighteous leader or any man for that matter is by definition in an unclean state and more so unholy, and hence it would be an oxymoron to be accused of blaspheming someone who is not holy. This exhortation thus applies to the holy, be they leaders or saints in general. Calling out sin in a heathen leader who has no desire whatsoever to believe in Elohim the Father nor in Yeshua the Son, is not tantamount to blasphemy. If anything, they are to be exposed for being enemies of Yehovah Elohim, filled with the spirit of anti-Messiah cf 1 Jn 2:22.

Additionally, saints are to abstain from contention, be meek and gentle to all human beings. Saints are pilgrims on this earth, who should desist from raising trouble 2 Tim 2:24-25; Jm 1:19-20; Gal 6:1. However, this does not equate to condoning sin either, which scripture repeatedly encourages us to extinguish from the body of Messiah. Judging the forsaken world is not our prerogative, but straightening out those dissenters within the ecclesia who are a threat to the purity of others, must be dealt with severely cf 1 Cor ch 5.

V3-4 Following on this last statement, regarding meekness unto all men in the world, Paul’s statements in 1 Cor ch 5 relating to our attitude when it comes to judgement, are further clarified for the unrighteous outside the body of Messiah. If the Father through Yeshua, our Saviour, could create a means by which we, who once were lost and unrighteous souls in Satan’s kingdom, could be redeemed unto the path of salvation, then we surely should also give the reprobate souls still trapped in the kingdom of Satan an opportunity to find truth too cf Eph 2:1-3. Yehovah wishes for all of humanity to be saved cf 1 Tim 2:4.

V5 Paul repeats the same truth broadly touched upon in all his epistles, that our works never for a moment accounted for our justification. Rather, we were made righteous by the mercy and grace of Yehovah, upon those of us that chose to believe in the blood shed by His Son Yeshua of Nazareth, for the atoning of our sins. This justification and redemption subsequently leads to the sanctification of the believers by the Holy Spirit, who by replacing our hearts of stone with that of flesh, is then able to write the Torah in those surrendered hearts. This ultimately renews/restores our minds to wilfully walk down the path that leads to salvation.

V6 -7 The Holy Spirit is not shed upon us in small measures, but enters the surrendered soul’s heart in great overflowing abundance cf Jn 7:37-39. The believing, repentant soul is dikaioo/rendered righteous not by his own volition, but by the undeserved grace bestowed upon him by our merciful Heavenly Father, who sacrificed His Son for us. Being found righteous in the eyes of Elohim, permits us to abide in His love as does the Son, provided we begin to keep His commandments Jn 15:10. This love is a consequence of the Holy Spirit given through grace being poured into our hearts cf Rom 5:5. We ultimately become heirs to the eternal life hoped for. The caveat however, is for the Christian so chosen, to be prepared to suffer as Yeshua did, if he is to inherit eternal life. Very few who are justified are prepared to complete this difficult journey that leads to salvation, walking in Torah truth, which attracts the ire of Satan and his kingdom cf Rom 8:17.

V8 It is the duty of every preacher to assert thoroughly and without reservation, the absolute condition required of the believer justified by the blood of Messiah, to carefully give attention to good works. This is the essence of walking in Torah obedience, as per scriptural definition and directive. Unfortunately the mystery of iniquity since the time of Yeshua’s ascension into heaven has bewitched the assemblies of Yeshua, with false preachers claiming that believers in Yeshua no longer need to keep Torah, which contradicts the teachings of Paul cf 2 Thess 2:7. If we are to profit unto receiving eternal life at the end of our sojourn on earth, it is imperative that we do not deviate from Torah which gives life cf Deut 30:15-20.

V9 ‘zetesis’ translated ‘questions’, is Greek for debate or enquiry. Not only were the believers in Crete to desist from moronic debates, but to also steer clear of trifling matters relating to descent or lineage. Crete was filled with influential Jews, who would undoubtedly have brought up frivolous contentions over one’s ethnic background in their bid to qualify who could be deemed children of Elohim. This would inevitably have led to schisms within the ecclesia, and isolation of Gentiles through use of such unwarranted bigotry. Additionally, quarrels over genealogy were being fomented, as a means of leverage in power struggles for leadership in the assemblies, whereby the Jewish dissenters felt entitled to head the various congregations by virtue of their descent cf 1 Tim 1:3-7. Elohim however is not a respecter of persons, and simply searches the heart of the believer for one to be qualified an heir according to the hope of eternal life cf Rom 2:11-13.

We live in a time where the churches of today have reignited these nonsensical controversial wranglings, over who is the real Jew of today. It is indeed true, and historically proven that over the last 2 millennia the racial profile of the original Israelites has been somewhat usurped, and altered. However, we cannot deny the fact that, even from the time of Jacob the original Israelite, there have been multiple intermarriages between various races and ethnicities, that the racial pool has been incredibly diluted to be able to determine who precisely fits the profile. Regardless, although Paul could trace his lineage to the tribe of Benjamin, he in the same vein stressed that it is not the outward appearance that Elohim examines to determine who is a Jew, but rather the state of the heart cf Phil 3:2-9; Rom 2:28-29. 

V10 A heretic is somebody specifically within the assembly, who foments schisms in the congregation. This professed believer maintains opinions contrary to those accepted by the body of Messiah and/or rejects the doctrines prescribed by Yeshua the Messiah. According to the longsuffering and grace of Elohim, such an individual is to be given the opportunity to be schooled in the immutable scriptural tenets, in the hope of correcting his ways and repenting of his sin. If he refuses to accept truth, even after being rebuked and warned a second time, the assembly of Messiah must not tolerate such insolence any further, and summarily excommunicate the reprobate. The punishment may appear harsh, but the short to long term consequences of keeping such an one within the midst of the congregation, is contamination of the rest of the saints, especially the immature who are susceptible to being deceived cf Rom 16:17-18; Matt 18:15-17; 2 Thess 3:14; 2 Pet 2:1.

V11 Being a heretic, is a dangerous state to find oneself in, as it is perverse, sinful, and enmity with Elohim, which attracts His condemnation. Satan, being fully aware of this uses wholesale, pervasive denial to allow legions of congregants in churches throughout the world, to be ignorant of their heretic doctrines, which they unwarily live by. This is the mystery of iniquity so preached by Paul in 2 Thess 2:7. If only Christians would like the Bereans, bother reading the Bible for themselves, instead of being spoon fed toxic teachings, spued by direct and indirect agents of Satan, who regurgitate age-old lies, learnt from captured seminaries filled with doctrines of demons cf Acts 17:10-11; 1 Tim 4:1

V12 Paul was to send substitutes to fill in Titus’ role, in the event of him instituting Paul’s instructions in Crete. This was to relieve Titus of the unquestionably heavy burden, and also for an opportunity to re-engage with Paul in the Macedonian region of Nicopolis, possibly to give a detailed report on his mission.

V13 Zenas was a nomikos/expert in the Mosaic law i.e. Torah cf Matt 22:35; Lk 10:25. He would undoubtedly have been a converted diasporic Jew. Being well versed in Torah again points to the teaching of Torah practised every Sabbath within the Gentile nation synagogues, in order to bring the new Gentile converts up to speed with the tenets of the law, as prescribed at the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15:19-21. Apollos, was an eloquent Alexandrian Jew, who was a mighty contemporary of Paul cf Acts 18:24.1 Cor 3:5,22. It is difficult to infer whether or not these two giants of the early Christian ecclesia, were in Crete all along with Titus, or whether they were journeying from elsewhere and were to link up with Titus on route to Nicopolis. Regardless, Titus was instructed to propempo/accompany them, to ensure they lacked nothing.

V14 The Cretan ecclesia was further encouraged to learn maintenance of good deeds, which are only ever found in scripture within Torah. Walking in Torah ensures effective winning of souls unto the true gospel. Our mission as saints on this earth is to win as many souls for Yeshua and the kingdom of Elohim, as we possibly can. This is the yardstick of being fruitful.

V15 It is uncertain who the other saints were in Paul’s company in Nicopolis. Regardless, Paul signed off in his classical manner of greeting all saints for whom the epistle was written, and wishing the grace of Elohim upon them, Amen.