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