Τούτου χάριν κατέλιπόν σε ἐν Κρήτῃ, ἵνα τὰ λείποντα ἐπιδιορθώσῃ, καὶ καταστήσῃς κατὰ πόλιν πρεσβυτέρους, ὡς ἐγώ σοι διεταξάμην,
Purpose Introduction: Τούτου χάριν
– Τούτου: Genitive singular neuter demonstrative pronoun—”of this.”
– χάριν: Accusative singular of χάρις, used idiomatically as a preposition meaning “for the sake of.”
– Translation: “For this reason” or “On account of this.”
– This phrase introduces the rationale behind Paul’s previous action.
Main Action: κατέλιπόν σε ἐν Κρήτῃ
– κατέλιπον: Aorist active indicative, 1st person singular of καταλείπω, “I left behind.”
– σε: Accusative singular 2nd person pronoun—”you.”
– ἐν Κρήτῃ: Prepositional phrase with ἐν + dative singular—”in Crete.”
– Translation: “I left you in Crete.”
– Aorist tense presents the action as a completed past event.
Purpose Clauses Introduced by ἵνα
The verse includes two coordinated purpose clauses, both introduced by ἵνα and connected by καί.
1. Rectification of What Remains: ἵνα τὰ λείποντα ἐπιδιορθώσῃ
– τὰ λείποντα: Accusative neuter plural present active participle of λείπω, “things lacking” or “what remains undone.”
– Substantival use: “the things that are lacking.”
– ἐπιδιορθώσῃ: Aorist active subjunctive, 2nd person singular of ἐπιδιορθόω, “to set in order” or “to straighten further.”
– Compound verb: ἐπί + διορθόω suggests thorough or continuing correction.
– Subjunctive governed by ἵνα: “that you might complete what is lacking.”
– This reveals that Paul’s mission for Titus involves unfinished organizational or doctrinal matters in the Cretan churches.
2. Appointment of Elders: καὶ καταστήσῃς κατὰ πόλιν πρεσβυτέρους
– καταστήσῃς: Aorist active subjunctive, 2nd person singular of καθίστημι, “to appoint,” “to put in charge.”
– Conveys official designation to a position of authority.
– κατὰ πόλιν: Prepositional phrase with κατά + accusative, meaning “in every city” or “city by city.”
– πρεσβυτέρους: Accusative plural of πρεσβύτερος, “elders” or “presbyters.”
– Refers to spiritual leaders, synonymous in function with overseers (cf. verse 7).
– The construction points to a deliberate, city-based pastoral structure to ensure ecclesial governance.
Apostolic Precedent: ὡς ἐγὼ σοι διεταξάμην
– ὡς: Comparative conjunction, “just as” or “in accordance with.”
– ἐγὼ: Emphatic 1st person singular pronoun—”I.”
– σοι: Dative 2nd person singular pronoun—”to you.”
– διεταξάμην: Aorist middle indicative, 1st person singular of διατάσσω, “to command,” “to give a directive.”
– The middle voice may reflect personal involvement in the directive.
– Together: “as I directed you,” affirming Titus’s apostolic authority through Paul’s prior instruction.
Pastoral Delegation and Ecclesial Structuring in Apostolic Mission
This verse encapsulates the apostolic model of delegated authority and localized church leadership. The use of two coordinated purpose clauses emphasizes the twofold task: to rectify deficiencies and to establish qualified elders. The participle τὰ λείποντα implies that spiritual or organizational gaps still existed in the churches of Crete. The subjunctive verbs reflect Paul’s desire and commission rather than assumption or command.
The phrase πρεσβυτέρους κατὰ πόλιν reveals a decentralized leadership pattern: each city or community had its own elders. The noun πρεσβύτερος implies maturity, wisdom, and spiritual oversight.
Paul anchors the authority of Titus in his own apostolic command: διεταξάμην. This reflects early apostolic polity, where Paul issues instructions that establish normative structures for the emerging Christian communities. The Greek grammar emphasizes intentional order, apostolic oversight, and pastoral responsibility.
