Titus • Overview

INTRODUCTION

Titus and First Timothy are very similar in date, circumstance and purpose. These letters written to two of Paul’s closest representatives deal with: Qualifications for leadership, false teaching in the church and the need for sound doctrine and appropriate behavior. Titus is briefer, more official and less personal than First Timothy.
The letter offers three excellent summaries of Christian theology (1:1-4, 2:11-14, 3:4-7) that confirm the need to behave (orthopraxy) in accordance with proper belief (orthodoxy). The last two summaries are among the most sublime New Testament portraits of the Gospel.
Some have divided the epistle into two major sections based on Titus 1:5: Appointing elders (chapter 1) and setting things in order (chapters 2-3).
Paul wrote this letter to Titus in Crete not long after his departure from the island.

AUTHOR

In order for Paul to have authored the Pastoral Epistles, he must have been released from his first Roman imprisonment (Ac. 28) and continued his ministry endeavors before being imprisoned in Rome a second time (2 Tim. 4).
The following accounts need to be reconstructed because there is no inspired historical book that parallels Acts to chronicle the final 10 years of Paul’s life.
After Paul saw Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3) he journeyed on to Crete. Following a period of ministry together, he left Titus behind to continue the work (Tit. 1:5).
In Corinth, Paul decided to write a letter to Titus because Zenas and Apollos were making a journey that would take them by way of Crete (Tit. 3:13).
Paul instructed Titus in that letter to join him in Nicopolis after the arrival of his replacements in Crete, Artemas and Tychicus (Tit. 3:12).
According to tradition, the apostle was beheaded west of Rome on the Ostian Way.

Titus is not mentioned in Acts, but the thirteen references to him in the Scriptures make it clear he was one of Paul’s closest friends and most trusted companions.
He was probably from Syrian Antioch (Ac. 11:26) and converted by Paul (Tit. 1:4).
Paul brought Titus to Jerusalem as an uncircumcised Gentile during a heated debate over the essence of the Gospel (Gal. 2:3).
On his 3rd missionary journey, Titus was sent to Corinth to represent Paul (2 Cor. 2:12-13, 7:5-7, 13-15, 8:6, 16-24).
Titus is not mentioned again until Paul leaves him in Crete to carry on the work they had begun together. His assignment was to equip, strengthen and develop the already existing churches (Tit. 1:5).
Titus was with Paul in his 2nd Roman imprisonment, but left to Dalmatia (2 Ti. 4:10), possibly on an evangelistic mission.
Paul respected Titus (see 2 Cor. 7:13-15, 8:16-17) and called him his "brother" (2 Cor. 2:13), "partner and fellow worker" (2 Cor. 8:23) and his "son" (Tit. 1:4).
Titus was urged to join Paul in Nicopolis (probably northwestern Greece) where he had decided to spend the winter. Titus was instructed to leave when the replacements of Artemas and Tychicus arrived (Tit. 3:12).
Paul possibly wanted a useful companion like Titus to join him on his journey to Spain.

The Mediterranean island of Crete is 156 miles long and up to 35 miles wide.
Its first-century inhabitants were notorious for untruthfulness and immorality (Tit. 1:12-13). "To act as a Cretan" became an idiom meaning "to play the liar."
Paul probably didn’t evangelize the island much on his brief sojourn to Rome (Ac. 27:7-13) but rather after being released from his first Roman imprisonment.

Christ building His church (a manual for church planting).
A treatise of Christian conduct focusing on "good deeds" (Tit. 1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14).

Focus on Titus’ role and responsibility in the organization and supervision of the churches in Crete. Titus is encouraged as an apostolic representative to use his authority to establish godly leadership, refute false teachers and encourage the flock to replace immoral behavior with good deeds.
Provide official apostolic warrant for Titus authority (1:11, 13, 2:15, 3:9-11) because of the opposition Titus will face.
Give Titus certain personal instructions (3:12-13).