Titus is one of the least known of the Pauline epistles. Paul's underling, Titus, was (at the time the epistle was penned) living in Crete, establishing branches of the Church on behalf of Paul. While most of Paul's epistles were written to entire communities, this one is written directly to a person. And the fact that Titus was setting up congregations and appointing leaders over them explains the meaning of our passage today.

This verse, from the first chapter of Titus, speaks of "overseers"—the Greek word being the same one we typically translate as "bishops" (or those who presided over the Church in various parts of the world). Generally applicable to any person who has a responsibility to lead or preside in a congregation, Paul says the Bishop, Priest, Pastor, or Minister should be welcoming. He should be a man who has learned to love what which is good, and who "lives right." He should exhibit "self-control" and personal "holiness." He should be a man which is beyond reproach. And he should be wise beyond his years.

While Paul was originally speaking to men (as all presiding officers in his day were male), his counsel is applicable to any Christian today—and is certainly germane to women who serve as clergy in any give denomination. More particularly, what Paul tells Titus is applicable to all Christians who seek to lead their family, and who want to live as the Lord expects true disciples to live. For Jesus would have all of us be kind and welcoming, love the good and shun that which is evil, exhibit self-control, and manifest wisdom in all that we do and say. Thus, our verse for today is a charge to be like Christ, "and to clothe ourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24)