Titus was a devoted disciple and fellow worker of the apostle Paul. He is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament, most notably in Paul’s letter to Titus. Though not extensive, the biblical references to Titus provide insight into his character, ministry, and relationship with Paul.
Here are some common questions people have about Titus:
Who was Titus?
Titus was a Greek Christian who joined Paul’s ministry team. He was one of Paul’s most trusted companions during his missionary journeys. The book of Titus identifies him as “my true child in a common faith” (Titus 1:4). From this description, we can gather that Paul led Titus to faith in Christ and discipled him. Though Titus was Greek, he accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to discuss whether Gentile believers should follow Jewish customs and laws (Galatians 2:1-3). Titus seems to have assisted Paul in his dealings with the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:6-7, 13-14). Later, Paul sent him to Corinth to collect an offering for Christians in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:6, 16-17) and to deal with problems in the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 12:18). After being imprisoned in Rome around AD 60, Paul sent Titus to minister in Crete. Paul’s letter to Titus addresses issues and needs for that ministry.
What was Titus’ character and ministry?
Though few details are given about Titus, the way Paul describes him provides insight into his character and competency in ministry. Paul trusted Titus to handle significant responsibilities in Corinth and Crete, which indicates Paul believed Titus had wisdom, discernment, and leadership capabilities. Paul calls Titus “my partner and fellow worker” (2 Corinthians 8:23), placing him in the close circle of Paul’s ministry team. Titus also seems to have been successful in collecting the offering for the Jerusalem church, as Paul sent him again to Corinth to finish securing those funds (2 Corinthians 8:6; 12:18).
Paul’s close mentorship of Titus is seen in the way Paul calls him a “true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4). Titus adhered to sound doctrine and could be counted on to teach and apply it accurately, unlike the “many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers” active in Crete (Titus 1:10). Paul gives Titus qualifications for appointing elders (Titus 1:5-9), instructing him to ordain men of strong character and sound faith. Overall, Titus’ character as a devoted, discerning, doctrinally-sound minister of the gospel shines through Paul’s mentions of him.
What was Paul and Titus’ relationship?
Paul and Titus had a close, mentor-mentee relationship. Paul led Titus to faith in Christ at some point during his early missionary travels. He discipled Titus and kept him at his side, involving him in his important ministry work. Titus accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1). Paul trusted him to handle significant needs in Corinth. Later, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome around AD 60, he continued to mentor Titus by assigning him to lead the churches in Crete. Paul wrote a letter instructing Titus how to strengthen those new congregations and appoint leadership.
Paul seems to have held Titus in high regard, referring to him as “my true child in a common faith” (Titus 1:4). He entrusted Titus with weighty responsibilities like settling issues in Corinth and securing the Jerusalem relief offering. The strong connection between Paul and Titus provides a model of investing deeply in mentoring and developing next-generation leaders.
What was Titus’ role in Crete?
Paul sent Titus to the island of Crete to continue establishing the churches there. As Paul’s apostolic representative, Titus’ task was to strengthen the believers and appoint qualified elders in each town (Titus 1:5). The fledgling Cretan churches needed sound teaching and structure to counter the influence of unruly people promoting incorrect doctrine and behavior (Titus 1:10-14).
Paul’s letter to Titus provided instruction and authority for leading the Crete ministry. Key responsibilities included:
- Appointing elders who met specific qualifications of godly character and sound doctrine (Titus 1:5-9)
- Teaching sound doctrine to promote faith and godliness (Titus 2:1)
- Giving older men and women guidance for discipling younger believers (Titus 2:2-8)
- Being an example of integrity, seriousness and sound speech (Titus 2:7-8)
- Dealing with divisive people and false teachings (Titus 1:10-14, 3:9-11)
Titus’ ministry in Crete demonstrates Paul’s strategy of establishing churches and raising up local leaders who could shepherd new believers well after his departure.
What do we know about Crete from Titus?
Though Paul’s letter to Titus focuses on instruction for leading the churches, it contains some useful details about Crete and the Cretan people at that time:
- Crete was home to many “rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers” promoting incorrect doctrine (Titus 1:10). This may refer to certain Greek philosophers active on Crete.
- Cretans had a reputation for being “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). Paul references a comment by Epimenides, a 6th century BC poet from Crete.
- The church in Crete was new and in need of organizing leadership and doctrinal grounding.
- Titus’ ministry focused on the towns of Crete rather than one main city (Titus 1:5).
- False teaching threatened doctrinal purity and corrupt behavior threatened reputations in a culture skeptical of Christians.
Paul’s instructions to Titus give us a snapshot of the status of the fledgling church on the island of Crete in the middle of the 1st century AD. The Cretan churches needed structure and sound teaching to withstand disruptive cultural influences.
What was Titus instructed about appointing elders?
A key part of Titus’ ministry in Crete was to appoint elders in each town to lead the new churches. Paul gave Titus specific qualifications to look for in identifying and appointing elders:
- Above reproach – having a respected reputation (Titus 1:6)
- Husband of one wife – sexually faithful in marriage (Titus 1:6)
- Having children who believe – evidence of effective spiritual leadership in the home (Titus 1:6)
- Not arrogant or quick-tempered (Titus 1:7)
- Upright and holy (Titus 1:8)
- Disciplined and self-controlled (Titus 1:8)
- Strongly committed to sound doctrine (Titus 1:9)
- Able to teach Scripture and refute false teaching (Titus 1:9)
These qualifications emphasized godly character and spiritual maturity. Elders needed wisdom and discernment to shepherd believers and defend true doctrine. Meeting cultural challenges in Crete required strong leaders grounded in Scripture and faith. Paul wanted Titus to implement this leadership structure quickly to bring stability.
How should Titus’ instructions about sound doctrine instruct the church today?
Paul’s instructions to Titus about teaching sound doctrine contain valuable insights for the church today:
- Sound doctrine leads to godly living (Titus 2:1). Understanding biblical truth is the foundation for spiritual growth.
- Leaders must be disciplined and self-controlled to model sound doctrine credibly for others (Titus 1:8).
- False teaching spreads like gangrene if left unaddressed (2 Timothy 2:17). Elders must be able to refute unsound doctrine with Scripture (Titus 1:9).
- Divisive people must be warned then removed if they persist in spreading false teaching (Titus 3:10-11).
- Insisting on foolish controversies divides believers and derails faith (Titus 3:9-11).
Like Crete, today’s culture is filled with deceptive and destructive ideas that can infect the church. Titus’ mandate to appoint strong leaders skilled in Scripture and committed to sound doctrine offers a model for the church now.
What time period did Titus minister in Crete?
There is no definite timeline provided for Titus’ ministry in Crete, but scholars place it around AD 60-64, between Paul’s release from Roman imprisonment around AD 60 and his second imprisonment and execution around AD 67-68:
- Paul first met Titus around AD 49 on his second missionary journey.
- Titus was with Paul during his third journey and accompanied him to Jerusalem for the Council around AD 50.
- Around AD 53-55, Titus carried out assignments for Paul in Corinth.
- Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea around AD 57-59.
- After being released from house arrest in Rome around AD 60, Paul sent Titus to Crete.
- Paul wrote the letter to Titus while in Macedonia around AD 62-64.
- Paul was likely arrested again around AD 64-67 and executed under Nero around AD 67-68.
So the likely timeframe for Titus establishing leadership and teaching sound doctrine in the churches on Crete was around AD 60-64. This places Titus’ ministry around the halfway point of the apostolic period described in Acts.
Why is Titus significant as a disciple of Paul?
As Paul’s trusted protégé, Titus provides an important model of discipleship for developing leaders:
- Personal investment – Paul poured into Titus like a spiritual father, leading him to faith and mentoring him closely.
- Hands-on training – Titus gained experience in ministry by assisting Paul with significant matters like the Jerusalem Council and the Corinthian disputes.
- Entrusted leadership – Paul put Titus in charge of strengthening the new churches in Crete, evidence of his confidence in Titus.
- Ongoing advice – Paul continued advising and encouraging Titus through letters while separated, like his pastoral epistle to Titus.
Titus provides a great example for all disciples. He modeled eagerness to learn from Paul, loyalty to Paul amidst trials, and competency in handling weighty leadership assignments. His effectiveness in serving the Corinthian and Cretan churches highlights the value of intentional mentoring.
What lessons can modern leaders learn from Titus?
Though few details are known about Titus, his ministry provides helpful insights for today’s church leaders:
- Cultivate trustworthiness – Paul trusted Titus with challenging assignments. Leaders should have reputations for godly character and spiritual maturity like Titus.
- Invest in mentoring – Paul poured deeply into Titus. Experienced leaders should be developing the next generation like Paul did.
- Promote sound doctrine – Titus strengthened believers through teaching truth against falsehoods. Likewise, today’s church needs biblical literacy and discernment.
- Build qualified teams – Titus appointed mature, skilled elders to lead Cretan churches. Wise leaders surround themselves with those who complement their gifts and abilities.
- Model healthy patterns – Titus’ lifestyle reinforced his teaching. Leaders’ lives should align with biblical truth. Actions matter as much as words.
Though centuries removed, Titus’ devotion to Paul, spiritual maturity, and skillfulness in handling leadership challenges remain exemplary models for those shepherding God’s flock today.
Conclusion
While Titus may not be a household name like Paul, Peter or John, his faithful service behind the scenes played a vital part in establishing the early church. Under Paul’s discipleship, mentoring, and training, Titus grew into a trusted apostolic representative who strengthened believers and appointed leaders in fledgling congregations. His effectiveness in completing tough assignments like resolving disputes in Corinth and providing leadership in Crete testifies to Titus’ spiritual maturity, leadership capabilities, doctrinal soundness and devotion to Paul and the gospel mission. Titus’ example reminds us of the need for qualified, trustworthy leaders who will model sound doctrine and refute false teachings. Though few details are known about his life, Titus’ partnership with Paul makes him a significant early church leader and an exemplary model of faithfulness for modern disciples to follow.