The First of the Worst

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1Tim 1:15).

There’s a lot of argument about the G.O.A.T. No, I’m not talking about the frisky little critter with horns and beard that seems to be all the rage on Youtube. Thanks to LL Cool J, G.O.A.T. has come to mean “greatest of all time.” Fans and experts constantly debate who’s the greatest in particular sports. Muhammad Ali told everyone who would listen that he was the greatest. In hoops, is Jordan or Kareem the G.O.A.T.? Who’s the greatest QB of all time? Who’s your G.O.A.T. in baseball, hockey, and tennis? 

While all of will certainly be open to debate as long as there are sports bars and the world wide interweb, Paul says there’s no question who’s the G.O.A.T. of sinners. In his first letter to his protege Timothy, the apostle writes, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (v15). He doesn’t want his spiritual son to miss what he’s about to say. Here’s something worth remembering. Don’t ever forget that Jesus came from heaven to earth to rescue us from this sinful mess we’ve made. When it comes to sinners, he boldly proclaims to be the G.O.A.T. What?!?!? The dude who wrote most of the New Testament is the top-ranked trespasser!?! (And is there something wrong with my keyboard that I keep using all these?!?!?!?) Paul has come to realize that he is not the best and brightest. Nope. He’s the first of the worst.  

A quick review of the whole reason for this little letter in the first place. Paul planted a church in Ephesus around 54 A.D. This is a large port city on the west coast of what know today as Turkey. As a hub on international trade, this town is an absolute stew of cultures, races, and religion. The apostle sets up shop in Ephesus for three years. Dr. Luke devotes an entire chapter of Acts to those first crazy days of how God uses Paul and the Gospel to turn the city upside down (Acts 19). After the apostle goes to prison for telling people about Jesus, he writes letter to the believers in Ephesus. That’s what we call the book of Ephesians in our Bible. Now after getting out of the slammer, Paul has put a young man named Timothy in charge of this growing megachurch (1Tim 1:1-3). 

This epistle is really a pastoral to-do list. At the top of that list is shutting down an arrogant team of spiritual hucksters who are doing some serious damage to disciples in the church (1Tim 1:3-7). They pretend to experts but really have no clue what they’re talking about. As he instructs Tim how to shut down these false teachers, Paul goes WAY out of his way to humbly say that he’s not hot stuff. This is all about Jesus. The resurrected Christ has empowered and appointed him despite a rather dubious rap sheet (1Tim 1:12-13). As a result, the Lord has absolutely drenched the apostle in His overwhelming grace (1Tim 1:14). He counters the arrogance of the false teachers with his humility in Jesus.

You can break verse 15 down into three easy pieces. The first part is Paul giving his buddy a heads up. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance” (v15). The second is the important truth about who Jesus is and what He has done that everyone should remember. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (v15). The apostle ends with what amounts to a quick aside. If there were parenthesis in Greek, he may have used them. “Of whom I am the foremost” (v15). He’s so glad the Son of God came to the rescue of of sinners because he’s at the front of the line. He’s the G.O.A.T. He’s the first of the worst.

Paul begins by letting us know what he’s about to write is important. REALLY important. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance” (v15). He uses this idea three times in 1 Timothy (1Tim 3:1; 4:9) once in 2 Timothy (2Tim 2:11), and another in Titus (Titus 3:8). In other words, what you’re about to read is legit. You can take this to the bank. Listen up. Pay attention. Write this down. If the apostle were writing in the 21st century, he would probably tell you that this is Twitter-worthy. #Trustworthy. #FullAcceptance. I’ll be honest, I kinda doubt there was a hashtag in biblical Greek.

Does he have your attention? Are you ready for the big news? Good. Here we go. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (v15). If you were a headline writer for the Bible, you could put this at the top of the page in 150 point bold font. It’s not just a big idea, it’s THE BIG IDEA! Our Hero came to our rescue!! This is the very essence of the Gospel. Just to review. God created a perfect universe. We jacked it up. Jesus came to rescue us from the disaster we’re responsible for. More than once, the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee announced His mission statement. He came to serve and to seek and to save (Mt 20:28; Lk 19:10).

Just to be sure, Jesus didn’t come to save good people. The religious rule keepers freaked out when Jesus attended a shindig thrown by a tax collector. The Resurrection and the Life was clearly the life of this party. Christ responded to their mumbles and grumbles by saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Lk 5:31-32). Both then and now, folks who see themselves as the religious police fail to realize was just how gloomy their prognosis is without the Great Physician. You see, He came to save the bad…because that’s all there are (Rom 3:10-11, 23)! Jesus saves those who realize they could never save themselves. 

Now we come to the humble little phrase at the end of the verse. “Of whom I am the foremost” (v15). Paul appears to think less and less of himself as the Gospel overwhelms him more and more. Just in case you think this is some fleeting thought the apostle scribbled down, check out the apostle’s VERY interesting progression. Around 55 A.D., he writes to the church in Corinth and describes himself as “least of the apostles” (1Cor 15:9). If you were to rank Jesus’ posse, he believes he would have just snuck in to the polls. A few years later sometime between 60-62 A.D., he tells his friends in Ephesus, “I am the very least of all the saints” (Eph 3:8). Fast forward a couple of years as he writes to Tim and says he’s finally the baddest man on the planet. He’s the G.O.A.T. of sinners. He’s the first of the worst.

We get this idea of the greatest from Paul’s use of “foremost” (Gr. protos). The word means the first of many in time or place, the leader in a succession, chief, top ranked, or above all. He’s number one. He’s leader the leader in the clubhouse. Jesus tells James and John that if we want to be at the top of God’s rankings we must at the front of the line to serve others. “Whoever would be first (Gr. protos) among you must be your slave” (Mt 20:27). Later Paul tells King Agrippa how Jesus is the “first (Gr. protos) to rise from the dead” (Acts 26:23). 

At first, this doesn’t make any sense. It’s probably been almost 30 years since the resurrected Jesus blindsided the apostle formerly known as Saul outside Damascus. He’s been a follower of Jesus for a long time. His resume is pretty stinkin’ impressive. He’s been on three legendary Mediterranean tours for the Gospel. He’s written a big chunk of the Bible. He’s Christ’s handpicked spokesman to non-Jews around the world. Wouldn’t this be a guy who really didn’t need any help from God any more? 

Paul wants us to know that it’s EXACTLY the opposite. As we become more mature in our walk with Jesus, we don’t become more self-sufficient. We become more Christ dependent. We become more and more aware of our desperate day-today need of a Savior. Bill Hybels calls this “descending into greatness.” Smart folks like to call God’s process of holiness in my life sanctification. The apostle says the secret sauce of being sanctified is to remember that I’m justified. I don’t outgrow the Gospel. I actually dive deeper into it! The great reformer Martin Luther said we need preach the Good News to ourselves every single day. Remember how gracious God has been to you. Remember who you would be without Him. 

Paul knows exactly where he would be. He would be the G.O.A.T. of sinners. But he's not alone. There's a tie at the top of the rankings. With you. With me. With everyone who's ever fogged a mirror. We're all the greatest sinners who have ever lived. We're all the G.O.A.T. We just haven't realized it yet. It's not exactly something you race to post on your LinkedIn profile either. This humbling status breaks me and motivates me to tell others about the One at the other end of the scale. The world desperately needs to hear about Jesus, truly the Greatest of All Time. No one else comes close. Without Him, we're tied for the first of the worst. 

It's NOT about You. It's ALL about Jesus.

“I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service” (1Tim 1:12).

Rick Warren is right. “It’s not about you.” That’s the opening line to his best-seller “The Purpose Driven Life.” As a matter of fact, it’s not about me either. I don’t know about you, but that’s quite a relief. The book is awesome (as a matter of fact, you may want to stop wasting your time reading stuff like this on the internet and pick up a copy if you haven’t read it yet!). But it’s not like Rick has the copyright on some groundbreaking new idea. 

No, this notion was put in motion a few thousand years before in a little ditty known as the Bible. In a letter to his sidekick Timothy, Paul goes out of his way to say it’s not about him either. “I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged me faithful, appointing me to His service” (v12). It’s all about the One who gives us strength. It’s all about the One who leads us to a place of faithfulness. It’s all about the One who handpicks us to serve. If you’re scoring at home, it’s ALL about Jesus. That’s A-L-L. ALL.

The apostle is not simply scribbling this stuff down in a vacuum. He’s not just waxing poetic. You see, Tim’s got his hands full with a gang of false teachers who are stirring up trouble at the church in Ephesus. Paul has left his spiritual son there as the pastor while he’s off on his next assignment (1Tim 1:2-3). The man from Tarsus already kicked two of these knuckleheads to the curb before he hit the road (1Tim 1:20). But there are still a few religious hucksters selling a counterfeit gospel and distracting people from the real deal (1Tim 1:3-7). These false teachers are misusing God’s law and abusing God’s people. Instead of using Scripture to diagnose sin and point folks back to Jesus, they use it to dominate and damage through legalism and self-salvation (1Tim 1:8-11). This isn’t just a first century issue. Garbage like this is still spewed in our churches today. 

Paul is making a clear distinction between himself and the spiritual snake oil salesmen. He thanks Jesus for giving him supernatural strength. The false teachers are driving on an empty tank. He thanks Christ for judging him faithful. The false teachers have only a faith in themselves. He thanks our Lord for appointing him to serve. The false teachers are self-appointed and serve only themselves. Every single one of us who thinks we’re serving God needs to ask the hard questions. Who gives me strength? Who judges me faithful? Who appoints me to serve? If the answer is NOT Jesus, I need to shut it down and turn to Him right here and right now. Remember, it’s not about you. It’s ALL about Jesus.

Like a basketball player who’s just score and points to the one who passed him the ball, the apostle gives all the credit to where credit is really due. God. All throughout Scripture, we read of our God who gives. He gives creation. He gives life. He gives food. He gives His Son. Our God is not a grabber but a Giver. An over-the-top, crazy generous, radically lavish Giver. It’s just who He is. It’s just what He does. And He absolutely LOVES to give to those who don’t deserve anything. Just to clear up who these undeserving recipients are…it’s you and me. That’s why Jesus says He came so that we could dive into the deep end of a pool what He calls the abundant and overflowing life (Jn 10:10).

Paul is so thankful to “Him who has given me strength” (v12). He’s ultimately powerless without Christ. Jesus told His crew that when we’re vitally connected with Him, there’s really no limit to what He can do through us (Jn 15:5). Without that connection, zip, zilch, zero. The apostle knows without a doubt he didn’t do it. He didn’t have the strength. He didn’t have the oomph. He knows that God and His power are the secret sauce of all that he’s accomplished. In other words, it’s NOT about Paul. And it’s NOT about you or me. It’s ALL about Jesus. 

Make no mistake on just who this Jesus is and what this is all about. According to the apostle, He’s “Christ Jesus our Lord” (v12). These four words absolutely drip with significance. Jesus is the actual name His heavenly Father told His earthly parents to name Him (Lk 1:31). It literally means “Yahweh saves.” And boy, does He ever! God personally comes to our rescue through the Son of a carpenter from Nazareth. We see here that Jesus is so much more than Joe and Mary’s oldest. 

He’s “Christ” (v12). No, that’s NOT His last name. It’s an incredibly important title. It’s the New Testament equivalent of the Hebrew “Messiah” in the OT. As Messiah/Christ, He ties the entire Bible together. In fact, He is THE ultimate Hero of THE entire Story! Jesus is the long awaited Hero God promised for thousands of years Who would come. The Father first hinted at our Savior’s arrival to our first parents in Eden (Gen 3:15). Every promise and prophecy in Scripture points to the coming Messiah. He fulfills God’s pledge to Abraham. He fulfills God’s commitment to David. Jesus Himself shocked the world by saying all of the Scripture is about Him (Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46). The term “Christ” (Gr. Christos) literally means “Anointed One.” God the Father drenches God the Son with God the Spirit (Lk 3:22). If you’re wondering, that’s an unbeatable combo!

Paul wants us all to know that Jesus is not just Messiah/Christ but also “our Lord” (v12). In other words, He’s the One who is ultimately in charge. Jesus isn’t some mid-level manager with limited authority. He decides. He rules. He reigns. He’s not just a king. Later in this very letter, the apostle doesn’t want Tim to miss the fact that Jesus is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1Tim 6:15). The Apostle John didn’t just call Jesus his best friend but also worshiped Him as the “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev 17:14; 19:16). With a title like that on your LinkedIn profile, you have “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18). Because of that, He’s not just some random ruler with no right to tell you and me what to do. He’s “OUR Lord” (v12 emphasis added). Remember, Jesus didn’t come simply to sell us fire insurance. He came as the most benevolent Boss the universe has ever seen. As Lord, we must to do what He says. Our willing obedience to the Lord Jesus is the secret to unlocking the overflowing goodness of life He came to bring (Jn 10:10). You see, it’s NOT about you. It’s ALL about Jesus.

The apostle is pumped not because of what anybody else thinks of him but “because He judged me faithful” (v12). The ESV translates the Greek verb here hegeomai as “judged.” While Jesus certainly is qualified as our Judge (Jn 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31), this isn’t so much like a ruling in a courtroom. This is term actually means to consider, regard, lead, govern, and rule. Hegeomai describes the effectiveness of a leader (Acts 15:22). Paul sure seems to be making the point that Jesus led him into faithfulness when he had none. Did Christ do that for you? Chances are He’s still doing it right here and right now.

Paul doesn’t give a hot hoot about what bloggers say about him. He couldn’t care less about how many friends he has on Facebook or followers on Twitter. He writes to Galatian believers that the only thing he really cares about is God’s stamp of approval as Jesus’ servant (Gal 1:10). All that matters is Jesus and what He thinks of the man from Tarsus. It’s not that we shouldn’t care about others. Our Savior has certainly called us to love people in the same self-sacrificing way He did (Jn 13:34-35). But our worth doesn’t hinge on their opinion of us. Whose opinion matters? Christ. It’s ALL about Jesus.

The apostle is doing cartwheels because the Son of God “has judged me faithful” (v12). That’s quite a statement considering his rap sheet as Saul. In the very next verse, he admits to his rather questionable background as “blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” and how he “acted ignorantly in unbelief” (v13). Check out the Message’s take on the risk Jesus took with the former Pharisee. “He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry” (v12 The Message). So how in the world does Jesus see any faithfulness in this faithless former terrorist against His kingdom? It’s because Paul realized he was neither too bad to be saved or good enough to save himself. He places his trust in what Jesus has done for him that he could never accomplish on his own. 

We need to remember that Jesus doesn’t call to anything but faithfulness to Him. It’s not about piling up a great resume. It’s not about building up a fabulous 401k. And it’s not even being successful in ministry or building a big church. Faithfulness in our gracious God is one of the Bible’s mega-themes. “The righteous shall live by faith” (Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38). Don’t fall for the lie of up-and-to-the-right. Look at the only measure of success that matters in Jesus’ eyes. Faithfulness to Him is ALL that matters.

Christ gives us His strength for a reason. In Paul’s words, He is “appointing me to His service” (v12). And why not, it’s the whole reason Jesus came. The Son of God came to seek, to save, and to serve (Lk 19:10; Phil 2:5-8). That’s right, the King of kings is also the Servant of servants. He flipped the cosmic org chart upside down. We need to remember to do the same. He seeks, saves, and serves us so that we can serve as well. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re faced with a life of minimum wage drudgery by following Jesus and attending to the needs of others. Christ says we’ll find unbelievable blessing in serving others (Jn 13:17). He goes so far as to say it’s the REAL path to greatness in God’s eyes (Lk 22:26). 

Rick Warren is right. The Apostle Paul is right. It’s NOT about you. It’s ALL about Jesus. 

Coming through in the Clutch

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity” (Philippians 4:10).

There are a handful of legendary athletes who’ve earned a rep for coming through in the clutch. When their team needs a big bucket, a big hit, or a big play, they always seem to deliver. Michael Jordan drained one game-winner after another. John Elway had a stranglehold on fourth quarter comebacks. They didn’t call Reggie Jackson “Mr. October” because he loved Halloween. Timing is everything. Big players come through in big moments. 

Paul is absolutely stoked at the clutch performance by the Philippians. “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity” (v10). The apostle’s been in the slammer for about five years. He’s not sure when he’s getting out. Things were looking grim. With everything on the line, Jesus uses His church in Philippi to come through in a big way. When the opportunity to help Paul knocked, they answered. They came through in crunch time. You see, timing is everything. Big players come through in big moments.

If you’re just joining us, Paul’s joy in the joint might seem more than a bit bizarre. He drops a baker’s dozen of delight in this letter (Phil 1:3, 18 [twice], 1:25; 2:17, 18, 28, 29; 3:1; 4:1, 4 [twice], 10). The apostle’s pen oozes with joy and it happens one last time here. “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly” (v10). He may be behind bars and behind the eight ball, but he certainly hasn’t given up. In this last mention of his happiness in God, he amps it to the max by using the Greek word megalos. Sounds a lot like some sort of giant creature that attacked Tokyo in a bad sci-fi flick, doesn’t it? It actually means intensely, abundantly, and describes the upper range of the extent. You can literally translate this phrase as “I’m mega-joyful in the Lord” (v10). His joy is maxed out. Or in the words the boys of Spinal Tap, his joy goes to 11. 

What’s got Paul’s joy so jacked? It’s because Jesus has used his funky little church in Philippi to come through for him in the clutch. “Now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had not opportunity” (v10). Don’t make the mistake of thinking his friends forgot all about him for a while and suddenly remembered to give him a shout. Oh my gosh! We’ve really dropped the ball with Paul!! He probably thinks he’s fallen off our radar! Couldn’t be farther from the truth. They’ve never stopped praying for him (Phil 1:19). They’ve never stopped thinking about him (Phil 1:7). They’ve never stopped looking for ways to do something for him.

But because the Philippians are locked and loaded to help Paul, they pull the trigger when given the chance. He describes their concern for him as “revived” (v10). This is the Greek word anathallo, which means to become active again, flourish once more, bloom again. The term literally describes how plants sprout and grow quickly in the springtime. Your garden goes dormant in winter but it doesn’t die. The plants wait for warmer weather and the opportunity to turn green and blossom. Same with the Philippians intense attention on the one God used to originally plant their church. They waited and waited for the right time, wanting to do something for the apostle, like an athlete looking to make a big play in crunch time.

So what exactly have the Philippians done in the clutch to help Paul in prison? Have they helped him cook up an elaborate escape plan to spring him from the slammer? Has somebody baked him a cake with a file in it? No, instead of trying to bust him out, they’ve sent their boy Epaphroditus to be with him (Phil 2:25). The Big E didn’t arrive empty handed. He brought an important care package that Paul calls “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice accepted and pleasing to God” (Phil 4:18). It’s not like Epaphroditus could catch the next Southwest flight from Philippi to Rome either. This trip is 700 miles if going by boat and almost 1,200 miles on land. Just getting there is an adventure. That might explain why the fellow from Philippi got sick and nearly died (Phil 2:27-30)! Throw in the fact that first century prisons are nothing like correctional institutions in 21st century America. No libraries. No weightlifting. Not even any meals. Just a dungeon. If you expect to survive for any length of time, you desperately need outside help. Apparently, this help in the form of Epaphroditus arrived at just the right time. 

You may be wondering what some ancient prison visit has to do with you and me. Oh, I am SO glad you asked! Who’s on your heart? Who needs your help? Who has God placed in your life and put on your mind who’s desperate for an act of grace? Maybe they’ve just been downsized in their career. Maybe their spouse has just ditched them for a newer model. Has bankruptcy blindsided a buddy? They could be standing over the fresh grave of a lost loved one. Is someone close to you aching for a conversation with their estranged child? I may think I’m totally unqualified for Jesus to use me to help. But I would be wrong. In one of his letters to the church in Corinth, Paul writes that God helps us through our mess so that we can pass along that same help to others in their mess (2Cor 1:3-5). 

Maybe you’re not in a position to make the big play right now. In sports, someone who’s not in the game can’t hit the shot or carry the ball. First of all, you’ve got to get in the game! Following Jesus isn’t a spectator sport. Get out of the luxury box and onto the field. God doesn’t need you but your family, friends, and neighbors do. Secondly, even once your in the game, you may not immediately have the chance to make the big play. For instance, you can’t knock down the game-winning bucket if you don’t have the ball. You can’t get the clutch hit when you’re not at the plate. Until then, be ready. Look for your chance. 

The timing has to be right. When opportunity does knock, make a big play. God made THE greatest clutch play of all-time when He sent His Son to save you and me in “the fullness of time” (Gal 4:4). Talk about coming through in crunch time! He did for us what we could never do for ourselves. At the end of the game, Jesus pointed to the scoreboard. “It is finished!” (Jn 19:30). He wins it for you and me in a walk off. Now we have the honor and privilege of being used by Christ in crunch time. Big players come through in big moments.

With Authority!

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Titus 2:15).

I love dunks. There’s nothing like a basketball player rattling the rim with a power slam. Sure, it might only count on the scoreboard as two points, but registers in other ways. A jam fires up the home crowd or shuts up the fans on the road. Your opponents suddenly realize that you’ve got game. Could the dude have simply laid the ball in the hoop softly and tenderly? You bet. There’s nothing wrong with that. But when you throw it down, you do with authority. (First, a little self disclosure. I can’t dunk. Not on a 10 foot goal. Maybe on Nerf hoop in the bonus room. But just because I can’t, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate!) Now Paul’s not a coach telling Titus to send it in. But he wants to make sure that the Big T understands his rights and responsibilities as a spiritual leader. Teach with authority. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Use your authority but don’t abuse it. 

Throw it down and lead. With authority.

The context of this verse is important. The amazing message of Jesus has absolutely washed over the Mediterranean island of Crete like a Gospel tsunami. The Apostle Paul has moved on to Nicopolis and left his right hand man Titus to wrap things up. His assignment is a three-point plan. First, select spiritual leaders for all the new churches (Titus 1:4). Second, stuff a sock in a pesky posse of false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Third, establish a self-sustaining system of teaching new believers what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-14). If the Big T is going to pull this off, it’s going to take authority. God’s authority. 

Paul tells Titus to “declare these things” (v15). So what “these” are those? The apostle wants his go-to guy to make absolutely sure that he’s teaching healthy and robust doctrine (Titus 2:1). He has specific instructions on what to teach older men and women, younger dudes and dudettes, as well as servants and employees about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:2-6, 9-10). His curriculum of Christ includes the cross in the past, the grace for the present, and His glorious return in the future (Titus 2:11-13). Once we wrap our brains around how much God gave to make us His prized possession, we’ll be absolutely on fire to good things and God things (Titus 2:14). Which things? “These things” (v15). 

I may sound like Captain Obvious here, but we can’t just know what to say and then never say it. I must communicate God’s truth verbally at some point. “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary.” This is a quote attributed (most likely, wrongly) to St. Francis of Assisi. Actions are important. Vitally important. At some point however, words are absolutely necessary. We have to explain the “why” behind the “what” of our Gospel driven actions. At some point, we all must “declare these things” (v15). With authority.

Spiritual leaders also must be able to “exhort and rebuke” (v15). There are some pairings that we can never break up. Bow and arrow. Peanut butter and jelly. Thunder and lightning. One without the other just isn’t the same. You can add “exhort and rebuke” to that list. A good leader does both. They cheer others on when they’re going the right way. And they ready to correct them when they get off track. But you can’t just simply be a cheerleader. And you can’t constantly correct. One without the other isn’t healthy. You need both. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Encourage and correct with all authority.

So just what does it mean to lead “with all authority” (v15)? Paul uses the Greek word eptage, which describes the proper exercise of rightful leadership. One scholar says this can be read as “show that you have every right to command.” You’re a leader. You’re legit. You’re bonafide. Not because you think you’re hot stuff, but because God has placed you in a position of influence and leverage. You have authority because you’re under authority. You have to answer to the Lord Jesus for how you’ve led. You’re accountable to Christ. Think about that for just a moment. Let that sink in. Tell me that won’t sober you up.

Like many men and women today, Titus has been given authority. He must use it. We must use it. And we must use it wisely. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Despite pop culture, this quote is from Voltaire, not Spiderman’s Uncle Ben. Don’t abuse your authority. But use it when you need it. Don’t be a bully. Don’t be spiritual thug. There are plenty of those around, ready to pound their victims with a 10 pound King Jimmy. Don’t be that guy. Lead. With authority.

Finally, Paul reminds Titus that some folks will be tempted to blow him off. “Let no one disregard you” (v15). The verb here in the original text is periphroneo. It means to despise, look down on, or overlook. It’s blatantly refusing to recognize the power of something or someone. Let’s face it. Titus knows he’s not Paul. The Cretans know he’s not Paul. It’s easy to see how folks might treat him like a substitute teacher. As Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I tell ya, I get no respect!” When God places us in a position of spiritual authority, we can’t let those we lead bum rush us. 

Remember who you are in the eyes of God. He made you in His image. He’s the very source of your authority. Our heavenly Dad gave Jesus all the oomph to command and control. Christ then instructed His followers to use that same clout to tell the world all about Him (Mt 28:18-20). That’s the power behind Titus’ and his teaching. That’s the same power behind us when we rightly teach God’s Word (please notice I said RIGHTLY teach God’s Word). Ultimately our value isn’t in what others think of us. I can rest confidently in what Jesus thinks of me. 

Lead. With authority.