READ IT! - Introduction to Paul's Letter to Titus

Introduction to Paul's Letter to Titus 

Background 

Not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, Titus was noted in Galatians where Paul wrote of journeying to Jerusalem with Barnabas, accompanied by Titus. 

He was then dispatched to Corinth, Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community there with Paul, its founder. 

Titus was later left on the island of Crete to help organize the Church, and later met back with the Apostle Paul in Nicopolis. He soon went to Dalmatia (now Croatia). 

According to Eusebius of Caesarea in the Ecclesiastical History, he served as the first bishop of Crete and remained there in his old years 

Chapter 1 

The letter opens with a salutation. It claims to be written by “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” to “further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.” The letter is addressed to Titus, “my true son in our common faith.” A blessing of “grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” is given. 

Paul reminds Titus that the reason he left him Crete was to finish the business of appointing elders in every town. 

He says that an elder (which is a gender-neutral term in the original Greek) must be… 

Blameless
“Man of one woman” (this is the only phrase here that references gender)
Someone whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 

He also says that since an overseer manages God’s household, they must be… 

Blameless
Not overbearing
Not quick-tempered
Not given to drunkenness
Not violent
Not pursuing dishonest gain
Hospitable
One who loves what is good
Self-controlled
Upright
Holy
Disciplined 

And he also adds that they must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 

Paul then discusses the issue of Judaizers and false teachers in the Church. He says that there are many who should be silenced who teach lies for a profit – especially the circumcision group. And he points out ironically that one of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” Paul agrees that this saying is true, and he commands Titus, “Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.”

And he adds, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” 

Chapter 2 

Paul then goes on to address issues of ethical conduct in the light of the “Eschaton”. He starts by telling Titus that he must teach what is “appropriate to sound doctrine.” He then gives ethical Instructions to various groups, starting with older men. He says they should be “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” 

He then addresses the older women, saying that they should be “reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.” 

He then addresses the younger women, saying that they should “love their husbands and children, be self-controlled and pure, be busy at home, be kind, and be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

He then addresses the younger men, saying that they should be self-controlled. And he tells Titus to set an example for the young men, saying, “In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” 

Paul then addresses those who are slaves, saying, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” 

Paul then talks about eschatological hope for all people, saying, “God’s grace that offers salvation to all people has appeared. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” 

He then wraps up his instruction by telling Titus to… 

Teach theses things.
Encourage and rebuke with all authority.
Do not let anyone despise him. 

Chapter 3 

Paul then discusses doing good deeds before a watching world, first addressing respect for authority, saying, “Be subject to rulers and authorities, be obedient, be ready to do whatever is good, slander no one, be peaceable and considerate, and always be gentle toward everyone.” 

He then talks about our response to Jesus and the concept of regeneration. He says, “We used to also be deceived and were slaves of sin. But we were saved when God’s kindness appeared, and not because of our good deeds. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” 

Paul then discusses the responsibility of Titus, saying, “Stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” 

Paul instructs him to reject foolish controversies, saying, “Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them because they are warped and self-condemned.” 

He then instructs him to provide for God’s people, and addresses the issue of the transition of leadership in Crete, saying, “As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.” 

He also mentions the issue of practicing hospitality toward itinerant preachers, saying, “Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.” 

He then talks about providing for the Elders in the Body of Christ, saying, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” 

He then offers his final greeting and benediction, saying, “Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”