Page 6 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

The Present Appearing of the in the Word of God, and it is made known
Word of God (1:1-3) to humanity by its public proclamation.
This has always been God’s primary
The divine promise of eternal life given method of evangelism, and the apostle
in past eternal times “before the world considered his ministry of proclaiming the
began” (1:2) and the expected future message of Christ an entrusted steward-
“hope of eternal life” (1:2) is made good to ship divinely “committed unto [him],”
believers “in due times” (1:3), i.e., at God’s and a matter for his dutiful obedience “to
appointed season by the present manifes- the commandment of God our Saviour”
tation of the living Word of God. God uses (v3).
His manifested Word throughout this day Paul was a special chosen vessel for
of grace to bring individual believers to this ministry specifically to the Gentiles:
this blessing of eternal life; “Being born “The gospel of the uncircumcision was
again, not of corruptible seed, but of incor- committed unto me” (Gal 2:7). He appreci-
ruptible, by the word of God, which liveth ated the solemn responsibility laid upon
and abideth for ever” (1Pe 1:23). him: “according to the glorious gospel of
1
The reality of “the faith of God’s elect” the blessed God, which was committed
in every believer is “the acknowledging of to my trust” (1Ti 1:11). This stewardship
the truth which is after godliness” (1:1); di- of manifesting God’s Word was not an
vine sovereignty and human responsibil- optional matter for Paul, and though he
ity are equally displayed. God sovereignly felt unworthy, it was also a cause for
set His purpose upon individuals for sal- personal wonderment: “Unto me, who
vation, not based on anything good in any am less than the least of all saints, is this
of us, but He had in view obedience to the grace given, that I should preach among
truth of the gospel being further displayed the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
in godly, sanctified lives. Godliness in a Christ” (Eph 3:8).
believer is practically expressed by being This stewardship and commandment
like the “God that cannot lie” (v2); such to make known God’s Word is not to be
honest integrity would clearly set apart regarded as unique to those early apostles.
the Christians in Crete from the native Throughout this present Church Age, God
Cretians who were “always liars” (v12). has entrusted to believers the stewardship
God desires that the power of His living of preaching Christ and thus manifest-
and veritable Word for salvation be “in ing God’s precious Word. Our present
due times manifested” (Greek phaneroo, dutiful responsibility is to continue to
to make visible) and then made effective “preach the word” (2Ti 4:2) and maintain
“through preaching” (v3), i.e., the public its manifested power in salvation. Paul
heralding forth of His Word. God’s as- passed on and committed the stewardship
sured promise of eternal life is embodied of teaching God’s Word to younger men
like Timothy: “And the things that thou
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV hast heard of me among many witnesses,
unless otherwise noted. the same commit thou to faithful men,

230 TRUTH kTidings August 2026