Titus 1:5

For this cause (toutou carin). In N.T. only here and Ephesians 3:1 Ephesians 3:14 . Paul may be supplementing oral instruction as in Timothy's case and may even be replying to a letter from Titus (Zahn). Left I thee in Crete (apeleipon se en Krhth). This is the imperfect active of apoleipw, though MSS. give the aorist active also (apelipon) and some read kateleipon or katelipon. Both are common verbs, though Paul uses kataleipw only in 1 Thessalonians 3:1 except two quotations ( Romans 11:4 ; Ephesians 5:31 ) and apoleipw only here and 2 Timothy 4:13 2 Timothy 4:20 . Perhaps apoleipw suggests a more temporary stay than kataleipw. Paul had apparently stopped in Crete on his return from Spain about A.D. 65. That thou shouldest set in order (ina epidiorqwsh). Late and rare double compound (inscriptions, here only in N.T.), first aorist middle subjunctive (final clause with ina) of epidiorqow, to set straight (orqow) thoroughly (dia) in addition (epi), a clean job of it. The things that were wanting (ta leiponta). "The things that remain." See 2 Timothy 3:13 ; Luke 18:22 . Either things left undone or things that survive. In both senses the new pastor faces problems after the tornado has passed. Parry takes it "of present defects" in Cretan character. And appoint (kai katasthsh). Final clause still and first aorist active subjunctive of kaqisthmi, the word used in Acts 6:13 about the deacons. The word does not preclude the choice by the churches (in every city, kata polin, distributive use of kata). This is a chief point in the epidorqwsi (White). Elders (presbuterou). See 1 Timothy 3:2 ; 4:17. As I gave thee charge (w egw soi dietaxamhn). First aorist (constative) middle imperative of diatassw, clear reference to previous personal details given to Titus on previous occasions.