Titus 1:3
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Original Language Analysis
ἰδίοις
in due
G2398
ἰδίοις
in due
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
4 of 18
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
word
G3056
λόγον
word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
6 of 18
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κηρύγματι
preaching
G2782
κηρύγματι
preaching
Strong's:
G2782
Word #:
9 of 18
a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπιστεύθην
is committed
G4100
ἐπιστεύθην
is committed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
11 of 18
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
κατ'
according to
G2596
κατ'
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐπιταγὴν
the commandment
G2003
ἐπιταγὴν
the commandment
Strong's:
G2003
Word #:
14 of 18
an injunction or decree; by implication, authoritativeness
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Timothy 1:11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.1 Timothy 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;Titus 2:10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.Isaiah 45:21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.Colossians 1:6Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Ephesians 2:17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.1 Corinthians 9:17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.1 Timothy 4:10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.1 Timothy 2:3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Historical Context
Paul's apostolic authority was challenged by Judaizers and false teachers throughout his ministry. This self-authentication as divinely commissioned undergirds Titus's authority to appoint elders (1:5) and confront false teachers (1:13). In first-century Crete, religious plurality and philosophical speculation threatened to eclipse the skandalon (scandal) of simple gospel proclamation.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you view gospel preaching as God's primary means of salvation, or do you functionally trust other methods more?
- How does Paul's submission to divine commissioning challenge your approach to ministry—human approval or divine calling?
- What "proper seasons" in your life has God used preaching to bring salvation or sanctification?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching—God's pre-temporal promise (v. 2) reaches temporal fulfillment κατὰ καιροὺς ἰδίους (kata kairous idious, at proper seasons). Divine timing is perfect; Galatians 4:4 says Christ came in "the fullness of time." The vehicle is κήρυγμα (kerugma, proclamation/heralding)—God's ordained means is not philosophy or mysticism but verbal proclamation of gospel truth.
Which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour—Paul's apostolic calling came by divine ἐπιταγή (epitagē, authoritative command), not human appointment. The title "God our Saviour" (θεοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν) appears six times in the Pastorals, emphasizing salvation's divine origin against works-righteousness. God commands the message, provides the Savior, and grants the faith to believe.