There are many important statements by Paul to Timothy and Titus. Some of these are called "faithful sayings." This means that the writer is drawing attention to this and that it is true. The phrase is similar to Jesus' words, "Verily, verily, I say unto you." It is difficult to properly locate some of the faithful sayings. For example, in 1 Timothy 3:1 is the faithful saying 2:15 or 3:1? Another is found in 1 Timothy 4:9. Is the reference to 4:8 or 4:10? 1 Timothy 1:15 and Titus 3:8 are clear.

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1 T 1:15.)

"This is a true saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work." (1 T 3:1.)

"For bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (1 T 4:8-9.)

"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us. If we believe not, yet he abides faithful, he cannot deny himself." (2 T 2:11-13.)

"This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These are good and profitable unto men." (Titus 3:8.) In addition to these, here are some more important texts from 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 T 3:16.)

Who can properly assess the weight and importance of these words? Scripture should be respected because it is breathed-out from God. No other writings should be so regarded. Even though we have the created world, archaeology, Christian traditions, and many other books, what we know about God and his will for us is directly dependent upon the reliability of the documents of the Bible. If anyone is going to gainsay Christianity, they must deal with the word of the eyewitnesses and the revelations from God.

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21.)

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12.)

"For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Cor. 2:11-13.)

If God made something or gave us something, it would bear the marks of a Divine Being. If the world were something that man could make, we would not need a god to do it. There is a noticeable difference between the artwork of a child and that of a trained artist. The books of the Bible do bear the marks of inspiration. Someone said that we do not need to be constantly defending the Bible, as if it needed our help. A tiger does not need defending; just turn it loose. Try the Bible, test it, taste it, prove it. It can well stand on its own merit. (Rom. 12:1-2.)

There is no theory of inspiration in the Bible, explaining just how it happened. We have a statement affirming it. The test for the claims of a prophet is given in Scripture. (Deut. 18:20-22.) If what he says does not come to pass, he is speaking presumptuously and making false claims. It is self-evident that man can not know the future. Jesus foretold the events of his own sufferings, death, and resurrection on the third day. (Mark 8:31.) He even told Peter about the rooster crowing three times. Isaiah foretold his suffering with the rich and the wicked in his death.

"Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2 T 2:10.)

Just a few passages before, Paul wrote, "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains, but the word of God is not bound." (2:8-9.) In chapter one, he wrote, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1:15.)

The one who now preaches salvation in Christ Jesus claimed that he was the chief of sinners because he killed Christians. He knew firsthand the guilt of wrongdoing and the destruction caused by a misguided zeal. Paul's appreciation for the grace of God that forgave him and put him into the ministry was the driving force behind his missionary activities. He endured much suffering so that the elect could be saved in Jesus Christ. This is the right process that should be repeated for the salvation of others. People who have experienced God's grace should make it known to others.

Salvation is in Christ Jesus. This is a great Bible truth. Redemption can not be found in any other. "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12.) "For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:11.) "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by me." (John 14:6.) Paul replied to the Philippian jailor, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved and your household." (Acts 16:31.) What better introductory statement could one make to a lost person! Salvation is found in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

The apostle John wept when no one was found in heaven and on earth to open the book in the hand of God. Then he was told to not weep because the Lion of the tribe of Judah had prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:1-5.)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:11-14.)

One preacher (Greg Worthey, Ramer, TN) outlined these passages this way: there is a saving grace, a teaching grace, and a hopeful grace. There is much said about the grace of God in the New Testament, and for good reason.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9.)

One author, Charles Hodge in Amazing Grace, wrote that one brother prayed, Lord, Forgive me of my sins. That is a good prayer. But perhaps a better prayer would be, Lord, Forgive me of my righteousness. It is our self-righteousness that stands in the way of receiving God’s grace. It frustrates it and rejects it. The person who thinks that he is righteous already will not see his need for God’s grace.

Timothy and Titus surely could not miss Paul's emphasis upon salvation being found in Jesus Christ. Our faith, therefore, must be Christ-centered, not church-centered. A theology that is church-centered invariably depends upon works, attendance, programs at church, and human activity for salvation. Churches are communities of believers whose faith is anchored in Jesus Christ. Understanding the grace of God, their response is zealous, willing, and submissive to the will of God.

The grace of God teaches us how to live. It teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Several examples of ungodliness are found in these letters by Paul. He said that a poet described the Cretians as liars, evil and lazy gluttons. (Titus 1:12.) Demas forsook Paul having loved this present evil world. (2 T 4:10.) Some of the younger widows were living in pleasure. (1T 5:6.) Alexander the coppersmith powerfully resisted the preaching of Paul. He did Paul "much harm." (2 T 4:14.) Paul warned about the heretic, or divisive man, who should be rejected after two admonitions. (Titus 3:11.) The grace of God can be appreciated only when we acknowledge the exceeding sinfulness of sin, as the Hebrew writer described it.

Living godly is based upon our recognition of God's grace that brought salvation down to man and upon the return our Lord. These are two compelling reasons for living differently. Grace brought salvation down. Salvation is not by "works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5-6.)