Bible Commentaries
Titus 1

Verse 1

Book Comments: TITUS

Walking Thru The Bible

TITUS

TITUS

Who Was Titus? Precious little is known about Titus except from his labors in connections with the Apostle Paul. He is not mentioned anywhere in Acts, however, we know that he was a close and trusted associate of the great apostle.

His absence in Acts has led some to speculate he may have been a brother or other close relative to Luke. [See note on 2 Corinthians 9:4]

Titus was of Greek ancestry evidently converted to the Lord by Paul himself. In connection with Paul’s defense of his ministry among Gentiles, he took Titus with him to Jerusalem as a "test case" of the church’s willingness to receive a converted Greek who had not be circumcised (Galatians 1:1-3).

In the interval between the writing of 1 and 2 Corinthians, Paul sent Titus to work with the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 8:16-24). Paul had absolute confidence in Titus’ integrity and faithfulness (2 Corinthians 12:17-18). Titus evidently handled the situation well.

After Paul’s release from his first imprisonment at Rome, he took Titus with him to Crete and left him in charge of the work there (Titus 1:5). He appears to have been with Paul at Rome during the second imprisonment and was still serving under Paul’s leadership in ministering to the churches (2 Timothy 1:1).

The Date of Titus? Paul’s letter to Titus was written during the time between the two Roman imprisonments, about AD 63.

Background of the Book to Titus.

Titus was working with the church at Crete when this letter was written to him (Titus 1:5). He was there to correct some problem and to appoint elders in the church. Paul was evidently at Nicopolis, or planning to arrive there shortly for winter, and wanted Titus to join him there upon completion of his mission (Titus 3:12).

Crete was a large island in the Mediterranean Sea. The church there may have been founded through Jewish converts on Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Paul visited Crete briefly on his voyage to Rome as a prisoner in the fall of AD 59 (Acts 27:7-21). He returned with Titus after his release from the first imprisonment.

The Cretians were widely known as an immoral people (Titus 1:12). So Titus must have had a difficult task on his hands in trying to organize and stimulate the work of the church in such an environment.

Purpose of the Book of Titus.

It appears that Paul had two major purposes in writing this letter. First, he wanted to encourage Titus in the task he had left him to do. Second, Paul gave him some specific instructions how to accomplish his mission.

The letter to Titus was written about the same time as the first letter to Timothy and is very similar to it. The letter is designed to serve as credentials strengthening Titus’ hand in fulfilling his ministry on the island of Crete.

Paul probably considered that Titus would encounter some resistance and this letter of authority from an apostle would give credibility among the brethren there (cf. Titus 2:15).

Overview of the Book of Titus.

Paul opens the brief letter with the customary greeting of the first-century (Titus 1:1-4). He reminds Titus of his duties on Crete (Titus 1:5) and lists some qualifications of the men Titus is to appoint to serve as elders of the church (Titus 1:6-9). He warns Titus to be on guard against the Jewish and Greek opponents which he would encounter in his work (Titus 1:10-16).

In the rest of the book we see Paul urging a pattern of good works and stressing that sound doctrine requires right living (Titus 2:1 -3:15). Paul counsels godliness among aged men (Titus 2:1-2) and aged women (Titus 2:3), among younger women (Titus 2:4-5) and young men (Titus 2:6).

Paul gives particular encouragement to Titus personally (Titus 2:7-8) and to persons who found themselves in the unfortunate position of being slaves (Titus 2:9-10). He writes of the graced of God (Titus 2:11-14) and bids Titus to declare it boldly (Titus 2:15). He speaks of the sort of life all Christians must live before the world (Titus 3:1-7) and condemns heretics who refuse sound doctrine (Titus 3:8-11).

Paul closes his letter to Titus with some personal remarks (Titus 3:12-14) and a farewell (Titus 3:15).

SERMON OUTLINE

THE GRACE OF GOD

Titus 2:11-13

Introduction:

1. These remarks written by Paul to Titus a gospel preacher.

2. Titus’s mission in Crete.

a. Ch. 1 discusses "Congregation Order"

b. Ch. 2 discusses "Christian Conduct"

The Meaning of Grace.

1. "Grace" means "unmerited favor", "undeserved kindness"

2. "Grace" is the divine side of salvation.

Grace Has Appeared

1. "Appeared" = manifested, revealed.

2. God’s "grace-plan"

Grace Brings Salvation

1. Without grace no salvation

2. Brings salvation to all men

3. God’s side and man’s side of salvation

Grace Involves Instructions About Living

1. Christianity is a "taught" religion. John 6:45

2. God’s grace instructs us about righteous living.

a. Negatively -- renounce ungodliness, worldly lusts

b. Positively -- soberly, righteously, godly

Grace Involves Wonderful Hope

1. Our hope undergirded by faith

2. Our hope "anchors us" -- Hebrews 6:19

Grace Involves Our Concern About the Lord’s Final Coming

1. The New Testament teaches our Lord will return again

2. The NT teaches what will happen when He comes--

Conclusion:

q q q q q q q

God’s People -- As Presented in Titus 2:14

Here we see some things about God’s people-- the Church.

1. It is a Purchased People.

Christ gave his blood as the purchase price -- Acts 20:28

2. It is a Redeemed People.

"Released by the payment of a price"

3 It is a Pure People.

The Lord cleansed his people by washing them.

4. It is a Possessed People

Selected from all other and special

5. A "Zealous-of-good-works" People

God expects us to be "doers" of the word- not hearers only.

Conclusion: The privilege and life of God’s people.

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[Resources to check:

Don DeWelts series **

Pulpit Commentary - NO

EGT - okay]

Titus - One of Paul’s best organizer.

A Greek - Galatians 2:3-5

Sent to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 8:10

Met Paul in Macedonia and returned to Corinth = 2 Corinthians 2:3 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 2 Corinthians 7:13-14, 2 Corinthians 8:16-18, 2 Corinthians 8:23, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 2 Corinthians 12:18

Written @ AD 65

Crete -- An island 150 miles long, 7 to 13 miles wide.

[Places we know Paul’s visited after his first Roman prison release (but not necessarily in this order) -- Crete - Miletus - Ephesus - Troas - Macedonia - Corinth- Nicopolis - Rome

Verse Comments:

Titus 1:1

The address shows us that this letter not only private but a public document conveying official authority.

Acknowledging -- Paul’s apostleship was was the confirmation and spreading of the faith, and truth, and godliness.

Verse 2

Titus 1:2

In hope -- We live godly in hope of eternal life, OR Paul an apostle in hope of eternal life.

eternal life . . See note at Romans 2:7.

The world began -- ASV "before times eternal"

Verse 3

Titus 1:3

In due times -- ASV "his own seasons" -- in the fulness of time.

His word -- the whole revelation of the gospel.

preaching -- open proclamation.

According -- Acts 9:15, Acts 26:16-18.

Our Saviour -- is always elsewhere in the NT applied to Jesus Christ, maybe also here. cf notes on Titus 2:13

Verse 4

Titus 1:4

Titus -- Titus is not mentioned anywhere in Acts, prompting some to think that since he was an important worker with Paul, that Luke , the author of Acts, omits his name because he was related; either a physical brother of Luke, or even Luke’s son.

[See note on 2 Corinthians 9:4]

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 (cf. Gal. 2). C. He is mentioned often in Paul’s letters (cf. 2 Cor. 2:13; 7:6–15; 8:6–24; 12:18; Gal. 2:1–3; 2 Tim. 4:10) and it is very surprising that Luke does not mention him in Acts. Some commentors theorize that (1) he may have been a relative of Luke (possibly a brother) and to include his name would have been seen as an act of cultural impropriety on Luke’s part or (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. The book of Titus 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 NT about Titus is that he was sent to work in Dalmatia (cf. 2 Tim. 4:10). - Utley

own son -- ASV "True son" i.e, genuine. A convert by Paul who proved himself to be true and faithful.

Common faith -- that is intended for all.

Savior -- Titus 1:3, Titus 2:13

Verse 5

Titus 1:5

Left I thee -- Titus in Crete or organize. The Greek word means to leave behind temporarily, cf. Titus 3:12

Crete had a large Jewish colony. Titus 3:2, Acts 2:11, Acts 27:7-8

Ordain -- appoint. In Acts 6 the apostles "appointed" the 7 men but the men were selected by the church. Here the installation is by the preacher, Titus.

Elders -- note the plural.

ELDERS & DEACONS Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 & 1 Timothy 5:17, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17.

In every city -- Christianity must have been widespread in the island.

Verse 6

Titus 1:6

One wife -- One never means none.

Children -- Singular form, but a generic collective term, one or more (ex. sheep, fish) Genesis 21:7. Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:4

Riot -- wasteful or extravagant, cf Luke 15:13

Unruly -- must be under subjection, not rebellious.

Verse 7

Titus 1:7

[Good sermon outline in Pulpit Commentary, p. 8)

First - Negative qualities - v. 7

Second - Positive qualities - v. 8

Third - Qualifications as to doctrine - v.9

Reason -- v. 10-11.

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v.6 Outward qualification

v.7 Inward qualities

v.8 Toward others

v.9 Toward the church

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Not Selfwilled -- pleases no one but self; intolerant and condemning.

Angry -- to hold grudges. cf. Barclay, p. 269f.

No striker -- Ready to come to blows.

Filthy lucre -- underhanded and disgraceful schemes to make money.

Verse 8

Titus 1:8

Hospitality -- Lit. "lover of strangers" philoxenos.

Sober -- prudent

Just -- In his relation to fellow man

Holy -- In his relation to God (pious)

Verse 9

Titus 1:9

Holding fast -- Holding to the sure Word so that he can comfort and encourage believers by his wholesome teaching, and convict the opposes of the truth.

Tend the sheep and drive away the wolves.

Help men to see and admit the error of their way.

Exhort -- encourage, lift up, not drive to despair.

Verse 10

Titus 1:10

Ten characteristics of the adversaries at Crete.

Unruly -- Word used of disloyal soldiers who refuse to obey.

Vain talkers -- profitless speech producing no goodness in life.

Circumcision -- Judaizing Christians, or the opposition from Jews.

Verse 11

Titus 1:11

Mouths must be stopped -- to curb, muzzle, by the truth taught by the elders. How-- v. 9 Titus 1:9

Subvert -- A household could be upset by the perversion of one member.

1) Teaching that the Gospel was not enough - needed fables and genealogies. Titus 1:14

2) Needed the rules and regulations about food and washings. Titus 1:15

Filthy lucre -- base gain

In the Didache itinerant vagrant prophets claimed support. WG "Live to preach, not preach to live."

Verse 12

Titus 1:12

One of themselves.. Epimenides, c. 600 BC, a poet considered a prophet and seer by the Cretians.

Liars -- A common proverb of the time, "to be like a Cretian."

Evil beasts -- implies brutality and stupidity.

Slow bellies -- Idle, gluttons (ASV); Cretians were characterized as being lazy by other Mediterranean people.

Verse 13

Titus 1:13

Verse 14

Titus 1:14

Jewish fables -- The Mishna and Midrash were given equal authority nearly with the written word of God. Matthew 15:9

Many apocrypha books multiplied among the Jews.

Commandments of men -- Matthew 15:9

Verse 15

Titus 1:15

cf. Romans 14:20 see note on v. 11 Titus 1:11

Verse 16

Titus 1:16

Know God -- They (the Jewish opposition) arrogantly claimed to be God’s people.

Paul uses very strong words!

1) Abominable -- repulsive

2) They won’t hear God

3) and i.e. useless to God (reprobate.)

Reprobate -- used of a counterfeit coin low in weight; used of coward who fails in the test of battle; used of a stone which builders rejected.