Titus, Part TwoSampel

Authority relationships in the church

“Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15)

Titus must encourage church members and, if necessary, rebuke them with authority. This task is not easy, especially since Titus is still relatively young. Therefore, Paul adds another small phrase to his appeal, “Let no one disregard you.” Titus deserves people’s respect and honor.

Several letters in the Bible discuss this theme. People called elders, pastors, or missionaries have great responsibility but must also be treated with respect.

They are not infallible. We see this, for example, when the apostle Peter, who Jesus explicitly appointed to lead the church, is publicly reprimanded by Paul (Galatians 2:14). Peter was wrong. His attitude needed to be addressed honestly. But that is different from “disregard.”

When a pastor or elder called by God gives certain commands and teaches people how to live to God's glory, they do so “by the authority of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:2). It does not actually matter if this person is very young, or has fewer academic degrees, or is not as wealthy as his congregation members. If he performs his task within the congregation well, he is “worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17).

How do you feel about ministers in your congregation? Do you yourself perform tasks in your local church?