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The Pastoral Epistles of Saint Paul
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), part 38, Titus
June 27, 2023

Topics include: 
(1) Titus, a close companion of St Paul, sent to Crete to put the church there in order, a Bishop; 
(2) qualifications for Bishops and Priests and the Canons ... they must truly be examples to the whole flock; 
(3) On Jewish fables and the "Circumcision Party"... these fables were traditional interpretations of the Law which Christ opposed. Christianity doesn't have the category of ritual uncleanliness, but we strive for holiness; 
(4) 2:11-14, the Gospel in a nutshell: In response to God's grace, we should renounce ungodliness and worldly passions we live for God, with self-control, uprightness, and zeal for good works, looking to Christ's second coming and our own resurrection with hope; 
(5) Speaking evil of no one, and not quarreling. Stirring up division is a grave sin; 
(6) On reading Paul in Greek vs Latin. In Latin, he reads a lawyer, in Greek, a mystic; 
(7) The Orthodox doctrine is the foundation, but we must build on that by living an Orthodox LIFE. The state of our culture has fallen terribly; 
(8) Responding to those who disrespect our faith: show respect and expect respect. On being as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. 
(9) On those caught up in rationalism, appearing knowledgeable but not understanding that true theology is the knowledge of God. They are spiritually blind, denying the resurrection and its power, living in a state of despair and death, not perceiving the life that is in the resurrection.