As Paul was writing to Titus, giving him instructions which would establish the church in Crete, he viewed the younger man as a close relative, part of his family.

This verse is the first in a series of instructions to Titus for appointing church leaders (Titus 1:6-9).

Church elders must be 'men of the message': that was Paul's clear instruction to Titus as he set about his task of ordering the fast growing church in Crete.

Paul's assessment, of the national temperament of the Cretan people, may seem harsh. But He merely agreed with a Cretan philosopher, based on his own experience of preaching on the Island.