Bible Overview: Titus

Author: Paul (1:1)

Titus 1:1 BSB

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,

Recipient: Titus (1:4)

Titus 1:4 BSB

To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Who was Titus?

Mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2, 7, 8, 12 as a trusted and beloved coworker of Paul’s

In Galatians, Paul mentions that Titus was a Greek companion of his who went with him and Barnabas to the Jerusalem council.

Galatians 2:1–3 BSB

Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

Date: A.D. 62-64

Likely sometime between Paul’s first and second imprisonments in Rome, perhaps between his two letters to Timothy. This letter is very similar to 1 Timothy, which may indicate that it was written around the same time.

Purpose (1:5)

Titus 1:5 BSB

The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Themes:

The Gospel (also referred to as “the faith”, “the truth”, or “sound doctrine/teaching”; 1:1, 9, 13; 2:1, 11, 14; 3:4-5)

Titus 1:1 BSB

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,

Titus 1:9 BSB

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

Titus 1:13 BSB

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith

Titus 2:1 BSB

But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.

Titus 2:11 BSB

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.

Titus 2:14 BSB

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Titus 3:4–5 BSB

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Church Leadership (1:5-9)

Titus 1:5–6 BSB

The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.

Titus 1:7–8 BSB

As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Dealing with False Teaching (1:10-14; 3:9-10)

Titus 1:10–12 BSB

For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not. As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Titus 1:13–14 BSB

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

Titus 3:9–10 BSB

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,

Gospel Transformation

Families transformed by the gospel (2:2-10)

Titus 2:2 BSB

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

Titus 2:3–5 BSB

Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

Titus 2:6 BSB

In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

Titus 2:9–10 BSB

Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

All believers transformed by the gospel (2:11-14; 3:1-8, 14)

Titus 2:11–12 BSB

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Titus 2:14 BSB

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Titus 3:1–2 BSB

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

Titus 3:8 BSB

This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.

Titus 3:14 BSB

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Application:

The same gospel that saved us continues to transform our lives. We never move beyond our need of the gospel message.