Introduction to Paul's Epistle to Titus
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Sunday December 8, 2013
Titus: Introduction to Paul’s Epistle to Titus
Lesson # 1
Please turn in your Bibles to Titus 1:1.
The two epistles to Timothy and that to Titus are closely related to each other since they were written by Paul to his fellow co-workers to give them instruction concerning their pastoral duties.
The content of these letters makes them unique in the Pauline corpus.
They address the same concerns, presuppose the same false teachers and possess similar language and style.
These epistles are usually identified by scholars with the title “Pastoral Epistles.”
This title was given to them by D.N. Berdot in 1703 and followed by Paul Anton in 1726.
The “Pastoral Epistles” were regarded by the early church as divinely inspired.
They were universally accepted by the early church as a part of the canon of Scripture and it wasn’t until the nineteenth century that their canonical status was ever questioned.
That Paul is the author of each of the Pastorals is clearly supported by the salutation in each of them and the recipients of the Pastoral letters are identified in the salutations as Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:2) and Titus (Titus 1:4).
The personal references to these two men throughout the letters further support the idea that Timothy and Titus are the recipients.
However, not only are these two men the recipients but also the local assemblies that are instructed through these men are the recipients of these letters as well.
This is indicated implicitly by the plural “you” that appears in the concluding benediction of each letter “grace be with you” (1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22), which is made explicitly with the addition of “all” (Titus 3:15).
All of this, should negate the idea that these letters were written only to Timothy and Titus.
William Mounce correctly observes that 1 Timothy and Titus “while private in form, are public in intention, speaking through Paul’s delegates to the churches.”
This fits with the literary genre of 1 Timothy and Titus, which are mandate letters in the sense that they are intended from the beginning to be read in public, both to support Paul’s delegates, Timothy and Titus in their work and to hold them accountable to a standard of personal behavior that is exemplary.
The epistle to Titus begins with Paul’s customary salutation (1:1-4).
Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (NASB95)
This is followed by the purpose of the letter and the reason why the apostle left Titus in Crete (1:5), namely to provide leadership for the church in that place and was also to appoint elders in the church.
Titus 1:5 presents the purpose of this epistle to Titus.
The purpose of the epistle to Titus was to instruct him about what he should do and teach in the Cretan churches. A special theme of the letter is the role of grace in promoting good works among God’s people (Titus 2:11–3:8).
Verse 6 begins the body of the letter, which elaborates upon the two-fold purpose of this epistle.
Titus 1:6-9 addresses the appointment of elders whereas 1:10-3:14, deals with Titus straightening out unresolved business in the church.
Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (NASB95)
In Titus 1:10-16 Paul reminds Titus that the Judaizers and other false teachers will attempt to upset the church in Crete as they had been doing in Ephesus which caused Paul to write First Timothy.
Titus 1:10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. (NASB95)
In Titus 2:1-15, the apostle Paul provides ethical instruction that godliness is based upon the application of sound doctrine.
Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (NASB95)
The remaining portion of the epistle in 3:1-14 also deals with Christians performing good deeds which warrant rewards which serves as a witness to their heathen neighbors.
Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. (NASB95)
If Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment and wrote 1 Timothy and Titus during the course of his subsequent missionary activities, then we must date Paul’s epistle to Titus during the 60’s and probably the early 60’s.
The name Titus means, “honorable.”
He was a trusted companion of the apostle Paul who had been left as superintendent of the churches on the island of Crete.
Like the first epistle to Timothy, this letter had as its purpose to give the young pastor instructions to aid him in his work.
Paul first mentions Titus in Galatians 2:1-3.
As an uncircumcised Gentile, Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem as a living example of a great theological truth: Gentiles do not need to be circumcised in order to be saved.
Titus next appears in connection with Paul's mission to Corinth.
While Paul was in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, he received disturbing news from the church at Corinth.
After writing two letters and paying one visit to Corinth, Paul sent Titus to Corinth with a third letter (2 Corinthians 7:6-9).
When Titus failed to return with news of the situation, Paul left Ephesus and, with a troubled spirit (2 Corinthians 7:5), traveled north to Troas (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).
Finally, in Macedonia, Titus met the anxious apostle with the good news that the church at Corinth had repented.
In relief and joy, Paul wrote yet another letter to Corinth (2 Corinthians), perhaps from Philippi, sending it again through Titus (2 Corinthians 7:5-16).
In addition, Titus was given responsibility for completing the collection for the poor of Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:6, 16-24; 12:18).
Titus appears in another important role on the island of Crete (Titus 1:4).
Beset by a rise in false teaching and declining morality, Titus was told by Paul to strengthen the churches by teaching sound doctrine and good works, and by appointing elders in every city (Titus 1:5).
Paul then urged Titus to join him in Nicopolis (on the west coast of Greece) for the winter (Titus 3:12).
Not surprisingly, Titus was remembered in church tradition as the first pastor of Crete.
A final reference to Titus comes from 2 Timothy 4:10, where Paul remarks in passing that Titus has departed for mission work in Dalmatia (modern Yugoslavia).
Titus was a man for the tough tasks since according to Paul, he was dependable (2 Cor 8:17), reliable (2 Cor 7:6), and diligent (2 Cor 8:17); and he had a great capacity for human affection (2 Cor 7:13-15).
Titus possessed both strength, tact, and calmed a desperate situation on more than one occasion.
He is a good model for Christians who are called to live out their witness in trying circumstances.
Paul calls Titus his “true son in a common faith” (Titus 1:3), “a brother” (2 Corinthians 2:13) and his “partner and fellow worker” (2 Corinthians 8:23).
After being released from his first Roman imprisonment, the apostle Paul took Titus and maybe Timothy with him to Crete.
Paul left Titus on Crete (1:5) and then headed off to Ephesus.
The apostle then left Timothy in Ephesus and left for Macedonia.
Paul then wrote Titus sometime after this and more than likely he wrote him from Philippi.
In Titus 3:12, Paul urges Titus to make every effort to meet him at Nicopolis where he informs Titus that he will winter in that city.
Therefore, Paul probably wrote Titus from Nicopolis or he could have wrote it from Philippi or some other city in Macedonia.
Titus 1:5 makes clear that Paul was writing to Titus who was residing in Crete since the apostle left him there to help provide leadership for the churches on that island.