The Book of Titus is one of the pastoral epistles written by the apostle Paul. Titus was one of Paul’s companions and co-workers in ministry. Paul wrote this letter to Titus to instruct him in leading the churches on the island of Crete.
The key themes of the Book of Titus include:
- Instructions for appointing elders/overseers
- Guidance on dealing with false teachers
- Encouragement to live godly and productive lives
- Instructions on Christ-like behavior in different relationships
- Motivations for doing good works
Authorship and Date
The letter identifies the author as the apostle Paul and the recipient as Titus. Most scholars accept Pauline authorship of this letter. The letter reflects Paul’s writing style, vocabulary, and teachings found in his other letters. Paul likely wrote this letter around AD 63-66, after his first Roman imprisonment, while traveling through the island of Crete.
Purpose and Occasion
Paul had left Titus in Crete to oversee the churches there and appoint elders in each town (Titus 1:5). The purpose of this letter was to give Titus apostolic authority in carrying out his tasks. Crete did not have an established church leadership structure yet. False teachers were also causing trouble in the Cretan churches. So Paul wrote to authorize Titus and guide him in setting things right doctrinally and organizationally.
Outline
The Book of Titus can be outlined as follows:
- Salutation (1:1-4)
- Qualifications for Elders (1:5-9)
- Rebuking False Teachers (1:10-16)
- Instructions for Different Groups (2:1-10)
- Grace, Salvation and Good Works (2:11-3:8)
- Avoiding Divisiveness (3:9-11)
- Final Instructions and Greetings (3:12-15)
Detailed Summary
Salutation (1:1-4)
Paul introduces himself as a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ. He addresses Titus as his true son in the faith. Paul prays for grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior for Titus.
Appointing Elders (1:5-9)
Paul had left Titus in Crete to straighten out what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town. The elders were to have these qualifications: blameless, faithful to his wife, having children who believe, not overbearing or quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, upright and holy. He must hold firm to the message as trustworthy so he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Rebuking False Teachers (1:10-16)
Many rebellious and deceitful people were teaching things they ought not to for shameful gain. Paul says Crete always had this problem. So Titus must rebuke them sharply to sound in the faith. They must be silenced since they are upsetting whole households by teaching for dishonest gain what they ought not to. One of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly so they will be sound in the faith and not pay attention to Jewish myths or commands of those who reject the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God but by their actions they deny Him.
Instructions for Different Groups (2:1-10)
Titus must teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and steadfastness. Older women likewise are to behave as is proper: not slanderers or slaves to wine. They are to teach what is good and train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their husbands so that the word of God will not be discredited. Similarly, urge the young men to be self-controlled. In everything, Titus must set an example by doing good works with integrity and dignity. His teaching must show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech so those who oppose him may be put to shame since they have nothing bad to say about us. Slaves must be subject to their masters in everything, well-pleasing and not argumentative. They must not steal but show utter faithfulness so they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
Grace, Salvation and Good Works (2:11-3:8)
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. It trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this age, while we wait for our blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works. So insist on these things, teach with authority, and rebuke with confidence those who oppose you.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle and show courtesy to all. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient and deceived, enslaved to various passions and pleasures. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared, He saved us not because of works done by us, but according to His mercy. He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Now justified by His grace, we might become heirs of eternal life and be zealous for good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions and quarrels about the law. Warn divisive people once, then have nothing more to do with them.
Final Instructions and Greetings (3:12-15)
When Paul sends Artemas or Tychicus, make every effort to come to him at Nicopolis since he has decided to winter there. Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey so that they lack nothing. Everyone must learn to engage in good deeds to meet urgent needs so that their lives will not be unfruitful. Everyone with Paul sends greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Key Themes and Teachings
Let’s explore some of the key themes and teachings covered in Titus:
Appointing Elders in Every Town
A key task Paul assigned to Titus was to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). These elders, also called overseers, were to shepherd the local congregations and ensure sound doctrine was taught. Paul gave Titus the qualifications to look for in appointing elders. They must have strong moral character, able to teach sound doctrine, and be able to challenge false teaching (1:6-9). The establishment of biblically qualified elders was crucial for the health and growth of the Cretan churches.
Rebuking False Teachers
False teachers were causing havoc in Crete, so Paul instructs Titus to silence them. They were upsetting households by promoting Jewish myths and manmade rules instead of God’s truth (1:10-14). Paul says their minds and consciences are corrupted and their actions deny God, even though they claim to know Him (1:15-16). Therefore, Titus must rebuke them harshly so they will become sound in the faith (1:13). Elders must firmly hold to the trustworthy message as taught so they can give sound instruction to encourage others and refute false teaching (1:9).
Instructions for Different Groups
Paul gives Titus instructions on teaching various groups – older men, older women, younger women, young men and slaves (2:1-10). Each group is given instructions tailored to their situation on how to live godly lives. For example, older women are to avoid slander and drunkenness, but teach what is good and train younger women to love their families. The goal was for every group to adorn the teachings about God by their good behavior and silence false critics by their upright lives.
Grace of God and Good Works
Paul stresses salvation is by God’s grace and not human works (2:11; 3:4-7). But this grace trains us to live self-controlled, upright lives as we wait for Christ’s return (2:11-13). Jesus gave himself to redeem us from wickedness and purify for himself a people eager to do good works (2:14). Believers must be ready for every good work (3:1), eager to do what is good (3:8), and help meet urgent needs (3:14). Grace is not a license to sin, but an empowerment to live godly lives.
Submission to Authorities
Paul instructs Titus to teach believers to be subject to rulers and authorities, obey government officials, and be ready to do good works (3:1-2). This applies both to citizens’ civic duties, and slaves’ submission to masters (2:9-10). By submitting to governing authorities, believers display good conduct that adorns the gospel.
Avoid Foolish Controversies
Paul warns Titus to avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels and arguments over the law (3:9). These promote controversies rather than God’s work which is by faith (3:8). Titus is to warn divisive people once or twice, then have nothing to do with them if they continue sowing dissension (3:10-11). He should focus on what is excellent and profitable for others (3:8).
Application for Christians Today
Though written long ago, Titus contains timeless principles for churches today. Here are some key applications:
- Churches need biblically qualified elders to provide sound doctrine and guard against false teaching.
- Grace is not a license to sin but the power to say no to ungodliness and yes to godly living.
- Believers must be ready for good works – both serving the church and meeting society’s needs.
- Right living and good works validate the gospel message to outsiders.
- Saying no to foolish controversies promotes gospel harmony and progress.
In summary, Paul’s letter to Titus provides crucial instructions for establishing churches on sound biblical principles. It teaches core doctrines like salvation by grace which transforms lives to pursue godliness and good works. Titus calls all believers, old or young, leaders or laypeople, to live out the gospel and silence critics through upright conduct. The model Titus provides for appointing leaders, promoting sound doctrine, and organizing the church is still very relevant today.