Titus 1:6

6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, ^[a] having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.

Titus 1:6 Meaning and Commentary

Titus 1:6

If any be blameless
In his outward life and conversation, not chargeable with any notorious crime; (See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:2),

the husband of one wife; (See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:2):

having faithful children;
legitimate ones, born in lawful wedlock, in the same sense as such are called godly and holy, in ( Malachi 2:15 ) ( 1 Corinthians 7:14 ) for by faithful children cannot be meant converted ones, or true believers in Christ; for it is not in the power of men to make their children such; and their not being so can never be an objection to their being elders, if otherwise qualified; at most the phrase can only intend, that they should be brought up in the faith, in the principles, doctrines, and ways of Christianity, or in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Not accused of riot;
or chargeable with sins of uncleanness and intemperance, with rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness; or with such crimes as Eli's sons were guilty of, from which they were not restrained by their father, and therefore the priesthood was removed from the family: "or unruly" not subject, but disobedient to their parents; (See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:4). (See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:5).

Titus 1:6 In-Context

4 To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.

7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or faithful to his wife