Verse 1
Paul introduced himself as a bond-servant (Greek doulos, lit. slave) of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Then he explained the ministries each of these titles represented. Paul usually commented on the source of his apostleship, but here he wrote of its purpose.
"Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isaiah 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Joshua 14:7), David (Psalms 89:3; cf. 2 Samuel 7:5; 2 Samuel 7:8) and Elijah (2 Kings 10:10); all these man were ’servants (or slaves) of the Lord’" [Note: The NET Bible note on 1:1.]
God’s bond-servant brings God’s elect to saving faith in Christ. Christ’s apostle brings the saints into the knowledge of God’s truth that He has designed to produce godly living.
"The doctrine of divine election firmly establishes the believer’s eternal security. God has not left the believer’s assurance of salvation captive to changing feelings or faltering faith. Rather, the faithfulness of God demonstrated in his divine election secures the believer’s salvation in the will and purposes of God himself." [Note: Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin Jeremiah , 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, p. 265. Griffin wrote the commentary on Titus in this volume.]
"Although surrounded with mystery, the biblical teaching on election is for believers and is intended as a practical truth. It assures faithful, struggling believers that their salvation is all of God from beginning to end." [Note: Hiebert, p. 427.]
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