Titus: God's Grace Revealed

Intro: Titus’ Quandary

Titus gets to yell in church

Date: Mid 60s

Around the same time as 1 Timothy between Paul’s first and second imprisonment (which culminated in his death). This time period also makes sense in light of all of the thematic similarities between 1 Timothy and Titus.

Writer: Paul

Recipient: Titus: Paul’s Swiss Army Knife

Crete, Corinth, Dalmatia, Galatia - As one writer put it, Titus was given “considerable discretion in delicate assignments, and virtual autonomy on others” (Titus 1:5; 2 Tim 4:10) - Ryan Lokkesmoe, “Titus,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

He was able to handle some very difficult assignments and missions.

Pastor/Shepherd/Fellow Worker 2 Cor 8:16-17, 23-24

2 Corinthians 8:16–17 ESV

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.

2 Corinthians 8:23–24 ESV

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

Comforter & Messenger

2 Corinthians 7:5–7 ESV

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

Joyful 2 Cor 7:13-16

2 Corinthians 7:13–16 ESV

13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Letter Carrier/Offering Collector 2 Cor 8:6, 19

Likely carried the letter between 1 -2 Corinth. And then collected the offering for the Jerusalem Christians (on his own accord)

2 Corinthians 8:6 ESV

6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

2 Corinthians 8:19 ESV

19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

Greek (Non-Jewish) Convert Gal 2:1-5

Galatians 2:1–5 ESV

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

Unlike Timothy he was (Uncircumcised)

Paul’s True Son in the common faith: Titus 1:4

Titus 1:4 ESV

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

Likely Paul led him to the Lord as this is how he describes others whom he had led to Christ, Likely from Antioch where Paul had his first missionary journey

Setting: Crete - The place for which proverbs are made Titus 1:12-13

Immorility, Laziness, Gluttony etc.

Titus 2:12–13 ESV

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Occasion:

Paul had likely been to Crete and established the church there and followed up to make sure that community of faith was functioning as God intended. As was his pattern, Acts 14:21-23

Acts 14:21–23 ESV

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Difficulty: There is not mention of Titus or Paul doing missionary work in Crete in the book of Acts.

However, Acts does not claim to be a comprehensive account chronicling all that Paul did. Much like the gospels: John 21:25

John 21:25 ESV

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Purpose:

To encourage Titus (and other leaders) to hold firm to what they believe by consistently living it out

To bring order and flourishing to the church through godly leaders, structure and grace

To battle the false teachers/teaching by through rebuke and resistance

Themes:

Life Reveals Belief

Titus 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

Belief to Behavior,

Doctrine to Duty,

Principle to Practice,

Truth to Transformation,

Faith to Function.

Grace to Getting it Done.

Thinking to Thriving.

Worship to Work.

Or As I so appreciate Alistair Begg’s tagline on every truth for life broadcasts. Where the Learning is for Living.

Your life will either prove or disprove your faith in Christ

Both Leaders and False teachers will be shown for what they are by this standard.

Godly Leadership and Order

As the Leaders go the family

Both Leaders and False teachers will be shown for what they are by this standard.

Practice, Reality and Witness

The world around us is watching. They gain a picture of what is true. What aligns with reality. And whether what we believe is actually true. How do they know if it is true? Does it make a difference in our life?

Correction of False Teaching & Teachers

Because Theology always leads to Transformation Transformation can happen in a positive or negative direction.

Good Works

Good News Leads to Good Deeds

Gospel Grace

as the motivation for change, obedience, and sacrifice

Key Passage: Titus 2:11-14

Titus 2:11–14 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.