Introduction to Titus

As Titus struggles to help the church on the island of Crete, his experienced mentor, Paul, writes to give him advice. Paul had left Titus in Crete to appoint church leaders and to oppose false teachers (Titus 1:5, 10, 16). In this letter, Paul shows the connection between right belief and right action, emphasizing that God’s graciousness should prompt us to be godly people (2:11–15).

Background

The letter names Paul as its writer (1:1), but as with the other Pastoral Letters (1–2 Timothy), there is some modern debate about its authorship (see the “Introduction to 1 Timothy”). Paul would have written his letter to Titus in the mid-60s ad, sometime after his initial confinement in Rome (Acts 28:16–31; circa ad 61–63) and the later imprisonment that led to his death in the mid-60s (see the “Introduction to 2 Timothy”). Although his precise location when writing is unknown, Paul appears to be on a missionary journey, as he mentions his desire to spend the winter in Nicopolis, a city on the west coast of Greece (Titus 3:12).

Titus, the recipient of the letter, was a longstanding associate of Paul’s. Before his assignment to bring order to the church on Crete, Titus acted as Paul’s representative to the Corinthian church; he also went with Paul to Jerusalem to meet with leaders there (2 Cor 8:23; Gal 2:1–3; 2 Tim 4:10). Unlike many early church leaders, Titus was not Jewish, yet he was not required to be circumcised by the Jewish leadership of the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:3). For Paul, this further proved his belief that Old Testament law was a placeholder and that believers in Jesus, whether Jewish or Gentile, were no longer under the law. In addition, they were now one people of God under Christ (Gal 3:23–29).

Like the Galatian situation, it seems that some among the church in Crete were arguing that non-Jewish men who converted to Christianity should be circumcised (Titus 1:10; compare Gal 5:2–15) and that they should keep Old Testament laws (Titus 1:14–15; 3:9; compare Gal 2:11–21). It seems that some people were also engaging in useless controversy, obsessing over genealogies, and causing dissension (Titus 3:9–11). Meanwhile these same people were proving the falsehood of their beliefs by their actions; they were acting against God’s purposes (1:16). Paul tells Titus to have nothing to do with these individuals (3:10). Although Paul speaks to Titus about these matters, he is also speaking through him to the entire church (3:14–15).

Structure

Like a typical Graeco-Roman letter, Titus has a greeting (1:1–4), a body (1:5–3:11), and a conclusion (3:12–15). In the greeting, Paul draws attention to the need to have a knowledge of the truth and to be godly, as he does throughout the rest of the letter. In the first major section of the body (1:5–2:15), Paul presents qualifications for the elders (high-level leaders) in the church (1:5–9), setting them in opposition to the false teachers (1:10–16). Paul then offers guidance for the behavior of several groups of people: older men, older women, younger men, younger women, and slaves (2:1–15). In the second major section of the body (3:1–11), Paul explains that God’s merciful salvation should motivate believers to devote themselves to good works. Paul argues that when we were hostile toward God, He showed us kindness, so we ought to show kindness to others and avoid divisive behavior. Paul concludes the letter with some final instructions for Titus and another reminder to engage in good works before offering his final benediction (3:12–15).

Outline

• Introduction and instructions about elders, truth, and various groups (1:1–2:15)

• Instructions for Christian living (3:1–11)

• Closing instructions and remarks (3:12–15)

Themes

The letter to Titus is about the integration of right belief and right action. Paul makes this clear from the opening verse, where he connects truth and godliness (1:1). In contrast to the culture of Crete, which accepted dishonesty as a fact of life (1:12), followers of Christ are to have continuity between their beliefs and actions. Paul argues that Christians should strive to teach right beliefs to others in order to counteract false teachings (1:10–11; 3:9–11). He further shows that church leaders should model this (1:5–9).

Throughout this letter Paul emphasizes that the motivation to do good emerges from a true understanding of God and what He has done for us in Christ and through the Holy Spirit. God’s grace—as seen in the person and actions of Jesus—saves us, changes us, and gives us hope for eternity with Him (3:4–7). This leads us to do what is good, declaring by word and deed God’s grace to others (2:11–14).

Further Reading

The Pastoral Letters

Titus CLBD

Pastoral Letters CLBD