Titus 1:5 Meaning: What It Means to Appoint Elders

Two Greek words carry the weight of Paul’s mission for Titus. The first is epidiorthōsē, a rare compound that means “to set straight further” or “to straighten out what remains.” Medical writers used it for setting a broken bone that had already been partially set. Paul had begun the work in Crete; now Titus was to complete it, gently and carefully adjusting what needed correction. It is work that takes patience, not a fresh start.

The second is katastēsēs, “appoint” or “constitute.” It means to set someone in place with authority. Paul does not tell Titus to pick leaders alone. The word implies a process involving the local church, as Acts 14:23 shows. And the elders are called presbuterous, a term that in this letter shifts to “bishop” or overseer in verse 7, suggesting the same office from different angles. Paul underlines his own authority with the pronoun egō, “I myself”, as if to say: what I started, you finish, and no one should stand in your way.

Christians across traditions have read this verse differently when it comes to the relationship between elders and bishops. Many Protestant commentators, like Adam Clarke, point out that the same people are called “elders” in verse 5 and “bishops” in verse 7, so the two titles refer to the same office. The Cambridge Bible agrees, noting that the Greek word translated “ordain” simply means “appoint,” without the later sense of ordination. Catholic and Orthodox traditions, however, see a distinction: bishops hold a higher office of oversight that developed from the apostolic pattern, while elders serve as priests or presbyters under them. Both sides find support in the New Testament, and both seek to be faithful to the text. What unites them is the conviction that the church needs qualified, godly leaders to teach and guard the faith.

A common mistake is to read “set in order the things that were lacking” as though Paul had left the Cretan church in a mess or disarray. The Greek word leiponta simply means “things left undone” or unfinished. Paul had planted churches and preached the gospel, then was called away before he could complete the organization. He left Titus, not to fix a disaster, but to continue and finish the good work already begun.

This verse asks you to consider the unfinished work in your own life, not the tasks you have neglected, but the good things God has started that still need attention. Maybe you helped launch a ministry at church that now needs steady leadership. Maybe you have been walking with someone in faith and they still need guidance. Paul did not try to do everything himself. He trusted others to carry on. This week, look for one area where you can pick up what someone else has begun, and offer your help. Ask God to show you where your steady, patient work can bring order and strength to His people.