The Grands Letter (Titus/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on November 2, 2026 5:00 am (CST)
Dear Grands,
Titus 1:7-16, “…the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”
The “overseer,” of whom Titus speaks, was a superintendent, who saw that everything and every-one was as they ought to be and in the proper place. Notice that there were five “negatives” that he was to avoid and seven “positives” that he was to employ at all times. Opposition to the LORD’s work was constantly present; thus, the superintendent was there to promote sound doctrine and to refute all who would seek to contradict it. Pastors and deacons today are charged with much the same responsibility.
If true believers will avail themselves of the opportunities, they, too, will serve well when they put down those who teach and promote false doctrine. That “they must be silenced” is, without a doubt, correct even today. Many a congregation has been virtually destroyed because of the hustlers, who upset the faithful with their false doctrine. Satan is real! And his efforts to thwart the work of the LORD are present wherever the LORD’s Truth is believed and taught. Be ALERT!
Heartily in Christ,
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
We will never know that Christ is all we need,
Until He becomes all that we have. – Corrie ten Boom
