Titus

Introduction to Titus

1. The Writer

This letter of Paul is to the young man Titus. Like Timothy, Titus was also brought to Christ earlier under the ministry of the apostle Paul (see Titus 1:4 and Galatians 2:3). Titus was a Greek and seems to have accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the council in Jerusalem where the problem of the Gentiles' relationship to the law was resolved (see Acts 15).

The Purpose of Writing

In II Corinthians we learn that Titus was sent by the apostle Paul to gather gifts for the needy saints at Jerusalem. Not only did Titus do a good job at gathering the gifts, but he also gave Paul an account of the effectiveness of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian Christians. The letter to Titus came to him while he was ministering on the island of Crete. Paul and Titus had visited this island and Paul left Titus there to carry on the work of the gospel. Titus may not have stayed on the island very long, for in this letter we have Paul's request that Titus meet him in Nicopolis (see 3:12).

It is not certain how the Christian churches in Crete were founded, but this letter indicates that the message of the gospel had been corrupted by Judaizing teachers. Perhaps Titus was left here to combat this evil influence. Titus was to set things in order, and this letter to the young man contains instructions to help him do so.

Paul writes to Titus to give specific instructions as to the kind of men who are qualified to be elders and the life that should be lived by all those who are saved by God's grace.

The Theme

The godly life of the believer producing good works.

2. The Outline

There are three chapters, which can be divided into three sections:

  1. Instruction for Church Leaders (1:1-16)
  2. Instruction for Church Members (2:1-10)
  3. Instruction for Titus (2:11-3:11

Instruction in the Epistle to Titus

1. Instruction for Church Leaders (1:1-16)

If a man is to properly lead in the church, then he needs to know the difference between the sheep and the goats, that is, the difference between those that are born-again and want to serve God and those that are un-regenerated and want to cause problems. We see a list here that will help us know who is not serving the Lord.

- Insubordinate - Idle talkers - Deceivers - Seeking dishonest gain - Liars - Evil beasts - Lazy gluttons - Following fables - Denying God by their works - Detestable - Disobedient - Disqualified

2. Instruction for Church Members (2:1-10)

- For Older Men 2:1-2 - Temperate - Reverent (serious) - Of sound mind - Healthy in faith - Healthy in love - Healthy in patience - For Older Women 2:3-4 - Sacred character "behaviour as becometh holiness" - Not a slanderer - Not a slave by having any wine - A teacher of the good - To guide younger women into sound minds - For Younger Women 2:4-5 - Love their husbands - Love their children - Be of sound mind - Undefiled - Good workers at home - Submissive to their own husbands - For Younger Men 2:6-8 - Of sound mind - Good works - Uncorruptness - Reverence - "Sound speech" words that cannot be condemned - Servants 2:9-10 - Submissive to their masters in all things - Well-pleasing - "answering again" gain saying, Not speaking against or answering back - Not purloining

(removing things - stealing from the boss - time or material)

- Being faithful

3. Instruction for Titus (2:11-3:11)

- Speak of God's grace and purpose - We should deny ungodliness and worldly lust - We must live in this present world; soberly, righteously, and godly - We should look for the Blessed Hope to be made one with Him - We should be zealous of good works - Remind believers (3:1-8)

"Put them in mind"

- To be submissive to rulers - To obey - To be ready for every good work - To speak evil of no one - To be peaceable - To be gentle - To show all humility - To remember what we once were - To remember what God our Savior has done for us abundantly - To affirm constantly that good works needs to be the pattern of our lives

"these things are good and profitable unto men"

- Avoid these things (3:9-11) - Foolish disputes - Genealogies - Strife - Arguments about the law - Unprofitable and vain people
Titus 3:10-11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Labour to convince him of his error; but if he will not receive instruction, if he has shut his heart against conviction, then shun him. Do him no harm in body, soul, character, or substance; hold no grudge; but leave him to God.

4. Closing Words (3:12-15)

Paul's last exhortation is to "maintain good works." These words are written while Paul is a free man and therefore sometime before 2 Timothy was written. What a wonderful blessing it must have been for these two young men, Timothy and Titus, to have such a "father in the faith" concerned about their ministry for the Lord.

Titus Study Questions

  1. How does one become a servant of God? (1:1)

  1. What did God promise before the world began? (1:2)

  1. For what reason was Titus left in Crete? (1:5)

  1. What type of leadership did the churches of Crete lack? (1:5)

  1. Why are false teachers so busy spreading falsehoods? (1:11)

  1. How are Christians to respond to false teachers? (1:13)

  1. The Jewish false teachers substitute what for the commandments of God? (1:14)

  1. What do false teachers profess about salvation? (1:16)

  1. How do they, in reality, deny God? (1:16)

  1. What was to characterize the preaching of Titus? (2:1)

  1. In what way could Titus make his teaching more effective? (2:7)

  1. How is the servant to act toward his master? (2:9)

  1. Why should the servant be obedient to his master? (2:10)

  1. List the qualities that should be found in those who have received Christ as personal savior. (2:12)

  1. For what great event does the Christian now look? (2:13)

  1. Why did Jesus come into the world? (2:14)

  1. What is to be characteristic of the Christian speech? (3:2)

  1. How is our conduct to match our speech? (3:2)

  1. What type of conduct characterized us before we were saved? (3:3)

  1. Who changed our attitudes and conduct? (3:4)

  1. What relationship do our good works have to our salvation? (3:5)

  1. Which attribute of God is directly related to our salvation? (3:5)

  1. How are those who believe in God supposed to demonstrate their faith? (3:8)

  1. What type of conversation is to be avoided as unprofitable? (3:9)

  1. How should a proven heretic be handled? (3:10)