For this cause left I thee in Crete,— Paul had been working with Titus in Crete but left him behind with two tasks. (1) that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, —Titus was to straighten out the things that were out of order, such as false teachers and misconceptions of the church. (2) and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: —Titus was to assist in the task of establishing elders in the local congregations of the Lord’s church in Crete by teaching the church the proper attributes of godly leaders so that their growth could continue.