Bible Book: Titus

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Introduction (1:1-4)
Instructions for Appointing Pastors (1:5-9)
Reasons for Leaving Titus in Crete: To Appoint Elders in Every Town (1:5)
Qualifications for Pastors (Elders) (1:6-9)
Personal
Blameless (1:6)
A Trustworthy Manager (1:7)
Not Overbearing (1:7)
Not Quick-tempered (1:7)
Not Given to Drunkenness (1:7)
Not Violent (1:7)
Not a Seeker of Dishonest Gain (1:7)
Hospitable and Friendly (1:8)
Loves What is Good (1:8)
Self-Controlled (1:8)
Decent and Respectable (1:8)
Holy (1:8)
Disciplined (1:8)
Loyal to Christ’s True Message (1:9)
Able to Encourage Through God’s Word (1:9)
Able to Stand Against Those Who Oppose God’s Word (1:9)
Family
Husband of One Wife (1:6)
Nurtures Believing, Disciplined and Obedient Children (1:6)
Instruction Concerning False Teachers (1:10-16)
Their Character (1:10)
Their Conduct (1:11-12)
Their Correction (1:13-16)
Instruction Concerning Different Groups in the Churches (2:1-15)
The Scope of the Instruction (2:1-10)
The Foundation for Christian Living (2:11-14)
The Responsibility of Titus (2:15)
Encouragement Concerning Good Works (3:1-11)
Our Conduct Toward Others (3:1-2)
God’s Mercy Toward Us (3:3-7)
Discerning What Is Profitable (3:8-11)
Conclusion (3:12-15)

Theme: Sound Teaching and Good Works

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 65/66

Background
    Like 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus is a personal letter from Paul to one of his younger assistants. It is typically called a “Pastoral Letter” because it deals with matters relating to church organization and ministry. Titus, a Gentile (non-Jewish) convert to Christianity (Gal 2:3), became a close companion of Paul during the apostle’s missionary journeys where several new churches were started as a result of Paul’s ministry. Although Titus is not mentioned by name in the book of Acts (perhaps because he was the brother of Luke, who wrote Acts and did not mention himself in the book either), various other references suggest that he and Paul had a close relationship. (1) Titus is mentioned thirteen times in Paul’s letters. (2) Paul led Titus to faith in Christ and calls him a spiritual “son” (1:4, like Timothy) and a trustworthy co-worker in ministry (2Co 8:23). (3) He served as Paul’s representative on at least one important mission to Corinth during Paul’s third missionary journey (2Co 2:12-13; 7:6-15; 8:6, 16-24; see map of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey). (4) He worked with Paul to establish the church at Crete (1:5).
On his voyage to Rome, Paul had his first contact with the island of Crete (southwest of Asia Minor in the Mediterranean Sea) as a prisoner (Ac 27:7-8). After his release from his first Roman imprisonment, Paul returned to Crete with Titus and had a brief time of ministry among the people (see the introduction to 1 Timothy). Paul then commissioned Titus to continue working with the Cretans to organize churches (1:5) while he traveled on to Macedonia (cf. 1Ti 1:3). Sometime later, Paul wrote this letter to Titus, encouraging him to complete the task that the two of them had begun. Paul probably sent the letter with Zenas and Apollos, who were traveling through Crete (3:13).
    In this letter, Paul shares his plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus soon to replace Titus so that Titus could join Paul at Nicopolis (Greece), where the apostle planned to stay during the winter (3:12). We know that this did occur, since Paul later reassigned Titus to Dalmatia (modern Yugoslavia; 2Ti 4:10).

Purpose
In NT times, the Cretans had a reputation for their terrible moral standards; the people were known for dishonesty, laziness and gluttony (1:12, 13). Therefore, Paul wrote primarily to instruct Titus in his task of (1) setting in order the unfinished business in the churches of Crete, including the appointment of elders (i.e., pastors or ministry leaders, 1:5); (2) helping the churches grow in faith, in knowledge of the truth and in godly living (1:1); (3) silencing false teachers (1:11); and, finally, (4) joining the apostle at Nicopolis after Artemas or Tychicus arrived to replace Titus (3:12).

Survey
Paul discusses four main issues in this letter. (1) He instructs Titus about the character and spiritual qualifications necessary for all those who are to be selected as elders (or overseers, i.e., pastors) in the church (see article on Moral Qualifications for Ministers). These leaders must be godly individuals of proven character who have succeeded as leaders in their own homes (1:5-9). (2) Paul directs Titus to clearly teach the truth and challenge with strong rebuke all false teachers (1:10-2:1; see article on False Teachers). In the course of the letter, Paul gives two brief summaries of sound doctrine (i.e., accurate teaching, basis of belief, 2:11-14; 3:4-7). (3) Paul defines (cf. 1Ti 5:1-6:2) the proper roles of older men (2:1-2), older women (2:3-4), young women (2:4-5), young men (2:6-8) and slaves (2:9-10). (4) Finally, Paul stresses that good works and living by God’s standard are the expected results of genuine faith and dependence on God (1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14; cf. Jas 2:14-26).

Special Features
Three major features characterize this letter. (1) It contains two brief but classic summaries of the true nature and character of spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ (2:11-14; 3:4-7). (2) It emphasizes that the church and its ministry must be built on a strong foundation spiritually, theologically (i.e., dealing with views of God and his relationship to the world) and ethically (i.e., dealing with issues of morality). (3) It contains one of two NT lists outlining the required qualifications for leadership in church ministry (1:5-9; cf. 1Ti 3:1-13).

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.