TITUS
Brief Background
A. Titus is part of the division of Paul’s letters known as “the Pastoral Letters.” This is because 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Titus deal with Paul’s admonitions to his co-workers on (1) how to deal with false teachers, (2) how to establish leadership in local churches and (3) how to encourage godliness. The apparent chronological order of these books is: 1st Timothy and or Titus then later, 2nd Timothy. Titus deals with the same subjects as 1st Timothy. Titus may have been written first because its introduction is so lengthy and theologically involved, much like Romans.
B. The geographical movements of Paul and these co-workers do not fit into the geographical movements of Paul in Acts. Therefore, many assume that this is an evidence that Paul was released from prison and conducted a fourth missionary journey.
C. The dates for this fourth missionary journey would have to be sometime in the mid-60's A.D. (63 to 64) because Paul was beheaded under Nero and Nero died in 68 A.D.
B. The geographical movements of Paul and these co-workers do not fit into the geographical movements of Paul in Acts. Therefore, many assume that this is an evidence that Paul was released from prison and conducted a fourth missionary journey.
C. The dates for this fourth missionary journey would have to be sometime in the mid-60's A.D. (63 to 64) because Paul was beheaded under Nero and Nero died in 68 A.D.
Titus, The Man
A. Titus was one of Paul’s most trusted co-workers. This is evidenced by the fact that Paul sent him to the trouble spots of Corinth and Crete.
B. He was a full Gentile (Timothy was only half-Greek), converted under Paul’s preaching. Paul refused to circumcise him (Galatians 2).
C. He is mentioned often in Paul’s letters (2nd Corinthians 2:13; 7:6 – 15; 8:6 – 24; 12:18; Galatians 2:1 – 3; 2nd Timothy 4:10) and it is very surprising that he is not mentioned by Luke in Acts. Some commentaries theorize that...
1. he may have been a relative of Luke (possibly a brother) and to include his name would have been an act of cultural impropriety on Luke’s part
2. Titus is Luke’s major source of information about Paul’s life and ministry and, therefore, like Luke, would not be named
D. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the all important Jerusalem Council, recorded in Acts 15.
E. This book focuses on advice Paul gives Titus about his work on Crete. Titus is acting as Paul’s official surrogate.
F. The last information in the New Testament about Titus is that he was sent to work in Dalmatia (2nd Timothy 4:10..."...for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens {has gone} to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia." (NASB)).
B. He was a full Gentile (Timothy was only half-Greek), converted under Paul’s preaching. Paul refused to circumcise him (Galatians 2).
C. He is mentioned often in Paul’s letters (2nd Corinthians 2:13; 7:6 – 15; 8:6 – 24; 12:18; Galatians 2:1 – 3; 2nd Timothy 4:10) and it is very surprising that he is not mentioned by Luke in Acts. Some commentaries theorize that...
1. he may have been a relative of Luke (possibly a brother) and to include his name would have been an act of cultural impropriety on Luke’s part
2. Titus is Luke’s major source of information about Paul’s life and ministry and, therefore, like Luke, would not be named
D. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the all important Jerusalem Council, recorded in Acts 15.
E. This book focuses on advice Paul gives Titus about his work on Crete. Titus is acting as Paul’s official surrogate.
F. The last information in the New Testament about Titus is that he was sent to work in Dalmatia (2nd Timothy 4:10..."...for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens {has gone} to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia." (NASB)).
The False Teachers
A. There is obviously a group of false teachers who oppose Paul’s gospel on Crete.
1. Their error seem to relate to the godly lifestyle that is expected of all believers.
2. References to godly living:
Titus 1:1,16..."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..." and "They profess to know God, but by {their} deeds they deny {Him,} being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." (NASB)
Titus 2:7,14..."...in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, {with} purity in doctrine, dignified..." and "...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." (NASB)
Titus 3:1, 8, 14..."Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed..." and "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." and "Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful." (NASB)
3. Summaries of character qualities:
Titus 2:11 – 14..."or the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, llooking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 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." (NASB)
Titus 3:4 – 7..."But when the kindness of God our Savior and {His} love for mankind appeared, 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, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to {the} hope of eternal life." (NASB)
B. There is an obvious Jewish flavor to this false teaching (1:10,14; 3:8 – 9). These heretics are a combination of Jewish legalism and Greek speculative thought (Gnosticism). They are similar to the false teachers addressed in Colossians and Ephesians. The focus of the Pastoral Letters is on heresy, and not exclusively church organization.
1. Their error seem to relate to the godly lifestyle that is expected of all believers.
2. References to godly living:
Titus 1:1,16..."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..." and "They profess to know God, but by {their} deeds they deny {Him,} being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." (NASB)
Titus 2:7,14..."...in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, {with} purity in doctrine, dignified..." and "...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." (NASB)
Titus 3:1, 8, 14..."Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed..." and "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." and "Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful." (NASB)
3. Summaries of character qualities:
Titus 2:11 – 14..."or the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, llooking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 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." (NASB)
Titus 3:4 – 7..."But when the kindness of God our Savior and {His} love for mankind appeared, 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, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to {the} hope of eternal life." (NASB)
B. There is an obvious Jewish flavor to this false teaching (1:10,14; 3:8 – 9). These heretics are a combination of Jewish legalism and Greek speculative thought (Gnosticism). They are similar to the false teachers addressed in Colossians and Ephesians. The focus of the Pastoral Letters is on heresy, and not exclusively church organization.
The Outline
I. Salutation 1:1-4
II. Instructions for setting the church in order 1:5—3:11
A. The appointment of elders 1:5-9
B. The correction of false teachers 1:10-16
C. The conduct of the saints 2:1—3:11
1. The behavior of various groups in the church 2:1-15
2. The behavior of all in the church 3:1-11
III. Conclusion 3:12-15
II. Instructions for setting the church in order 1:5—3:11
A. The appointment of elders 1:5-9
B. The correction of false teachers 1:10-16
C. The conduct of the saints 2:1—3:11
1. The behavior of various groups in the church 2:1-15
2. The behavior of all in the church 3:1-11
III. Conclusion 3:12-15
Map Locations to Plot
1. Crete, 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..." (NASB)
2. Nicopolis, 3:12..."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." (NASB)
2. Nicopolis, 3:12..."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." (NASB)