The Letter of Paul to Titus

The Letter of Paul to Titus was written by the Apostle Paul somewhere around 62 - 64 AD which was within the time frame of the last five years of Paul's life before his execution in the timeframe of 64 - 67 AD. Interestingly enough, the Letter to Titus as well as the 1 and 2 letters to Timothy have been challenged by literary scholars who debate the authenticity over certain points; however, there has been a systematic failure is seeking to disprove its credibility.

The traditional view of this letter is that it was written sometime between Paul's first term of imprisonment noted in Acts 28 and his subsequent secondary term of imprisonment which led to this death. It is also noted that this letter was written around the same time as 1 Timothy was written.

In the ESV study bible, it is recorded that the overarching theme of this letter is defining the inseparable link between faith and practice, belief and behavior. It goes on to record, "this truth is the basis for its critique of false teaching as well as instruction in Christian living and qualifications for church leaders."

For some context to the historical framework and situation of which led to this letter be written; so here is where we are in the Church History timeline of the first century. Paul had recently completed a journey to Crete, resulting in the establishment of new churches.

In order to see that these churches were properly established (as was Paul's typical pattern, noted in Acts 14) Paul left Titus in Crete to implement and structure the Churches to be healthy and set in order. The existence of false teachers (noted in Titus 1) amid the fledgling churches heightens the intensity of the situation and thus lends to the necessity of Paul speaking into these matters to protect the Church itself and the faith community.

Furthermore, it would seem that the purpose of this letter was to shore up a few details but primarily to address false teachers. Though it is not readily defined regarding the false teachings themselves, there is much we can glean from Paul's words to Titus.

Letter to Titus Outline:

1) Opening (1:1-4)

2) The Occasion: The Need for Proper Leadership (1:5-9)

3) The Problem: False Teachers (1:10-16)

4) Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers (2:1 - 3:8)

i) Proper Living by age and gender groups (2:1-10)

ii) Gospel Basis (2:11-14)

iii) Summary command (2:15)

iv) Proper living, particularly with respect to outsiders (3:1-2)

v) Gospel Basis (3:3-7)

vi) Summary Command (3:8)

5) The Problem Restated: False Teachers (3:9-11)

6) Closing Exhortation (3:12-15)

Titus Chapter 1

1) Greeting

a) "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began ³ and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; ⁴ To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."

i) Paul opens his letter as he does most of them speaking to his apostleship and the purpose of the letter itself including whom it was sent to. As in this case, it was Titus.

ii) I find it very interesting that Paul's relationship with Titus is very similar to his relationship with Timothy as far as closeness relationally as well as his care and love for them both. Paul notates Titus as being a true child in the common faith which is huge praise from an Apostle to one of his pupils.

iii) His letter in verses 2 and 3 provide some very useful insight regarding Paul's theology and view of salvation, God's plan and divine strategy of the Lord in regards to Christ and His Gospel!

2) Qualifications for Elders

a) "⁵ This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you- ⁶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination."

i) Church Order and Structure is key to long term stability and vitality. Disorder can never be blessed because disorder produces disfunction. Paul understands this truth well thus his statement to Titus that he left him in Crete to bring the church into order and to establish a leadership infrastructure. Church order produces fruitfulness; church disorder produces chaos.

ii) In regards to the appointment of Elders, Paul provides a few directives for selecting them: a man who is above reproach with one wife and his children are believers (his household matters to the faith community) and has lived in such a way that no allegation can be brought against him for debauchery or insubordination.

iii) The word debaucher noted in verse 6 is a compound Greek phrase, "Kategoria-Asotias" which interprets to mean accusation of indiscretion. (Strong's Greek 2724 and 810)

iv) The word insubordination noted in verse 6 is the Greek word, "anypotakta" which interprets to mean, "not subject to rule, unruly. Unsubdued." (Strong's Greek 506)

v) These points are absolutely pivotal because the Church can't be expected to respect a man who holds eldership if his life violates these requirements/expectations.

b) "⁷ For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

i) An overseer, as noted here, some would define as the Pastor or the headship of the faith community that is established.

ii) This can be easily ascertained in light of the significant increase of perimeters that must be met before consideration or establishment of such person in said role. The requirements of the elders are clear but the Overseer or Pastor is far more in regards to standards of expectation.

iii) The Greek word used here for Overseer by Paul is a compound word, "epi-skopon" (Strong's Greek 1985) "Epi" and "Skopos" mean "superintendent". Or more specifically, a Christian officer in genitive case charge of a church.

iv) Hence my suggestion that this the Pastor or Chief Elder of the Church. Now why are all of these qualifications necessary? For the protection of the church and for its establishment to be respected.

c) "¹⁰ For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. ¹¹ They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach."¹² One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." ¹³ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."

i) Paul seems to drop the proverbial hammer by exposing the corruptness of the culture as well as its impact upon the church itself. Along with being led astray or being deceived into error.

ii) Note verses 13-14, "¹³ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth."

iii) Not devoting themselves to religious myths and from the deception of those who turned away from the truth. It would seem that in most of the Epistles that Paul wrote, he is having to protect the church from false doctrine and evil men who were seeking to use religion as a means of controlling and manipulating people. In our studies of Philippians and Colossians, we have seen this same dynamic playing out.

iv) But sadly it would seem that not everyone is listening because of Paul's words in verse 16, "¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."

v) It would seem very obvious that Paul is drawing some hard lines and is separating the "sheep from the goats" as it were with much of what he says in chapter 1 of his letter to Titus. But what we can all learn from this is that we should all see the collective value of keeping ourselves squared away and stay in the Word of Truth to guard ourselves and others. Sound Doctrine is the difference between Heaven and Hell.

Verse 15 - 16 of Chapter 1, "¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."

Titus Chapter 2

1) Teach Sound Doctrine

a) "But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine."

i) Church family, there is a significant difference between doctrinal views and sound doctrine; thus, when Paul instructs Titus, he states that Titus should teach what accords with sound doctrine.

ii) The Greek word used here for "what accords with" is the word, "prep'-o" which means, "to be fitting, proper, suitable". Hence Paul's word usage here, it is not that he must teach doctrine but teach what is fitting, proper, or suitable as sound doctrine. Strong's Greek 4241.

iii) Friends, there is a huge difference between our opinion on the matter and the truth of the matter.

b) "² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

i) I want you to notice the cultural expectation of the church is placed upon the older men and women and not the youth of the community. It is not expected that the youth model the example but rather the older generation model the expectations and not just try to enforce it.

ii) The older men have standards that were expected as fruits unto godliness as well as the older women of the faith community as well. And note the outcome of this expectation in verse 5, "⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

iii) "that the word of God may not be reviled…" In some translations this last portion of verse 5 is interpreted to state, "so that the word of God will not be discredited." The Greek word used here is the word, "blasphemeo" which interprets to mean, "to slander, to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things." This is the where we get the English word, "blaspheme or blasphemy" from.

iv) So with this word defined, the point of the last portion of verse 5 is to simply state that how you live and conduct yourself will directly impact where you are honoring God's word or blaspheming it by your hypocrisy.

c) "⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

i) But with Paul's focus being first on the older generations, he doesn't let the younger slip by unscathed; be self-controlled, model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned.

ii) Now why is all of this important? Why is fruit so important? The last portion of verse 8 explains this to us… so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

iii) Again our life and conduct must be in line with light and godliness or our opponents shall put shame upon us and speak evil about us because our lives don't measure up to our words or our teachings…

d) ⁹ Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."

i) These two verses provide for us a unique perspective that Paul also deals with in the Book of Colossians chapter 3:22. This is what Paul said in Colossians 3:22, "²² Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord."

ii) Note the comparison between Colossians and Titus, "⁹ Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."

iii) In both Colossians and Titus, Paul used the word for "Bondservants" is the Greek word, "doulos" which interprets to mean "slave". Strong's Greek 1301.

iv) According to history, slavery in the Roman Empire was common place. Hence, it would seem to reason that those in bondage to slavery would eventually hear the message of the Gospel. Hence the reason why the Apostle Paul writes this in the letter. Granted, is slavery wrong? Yes. Slavery is moral issue as much as a cultural issue.

v) But apparently there were those who were in the church or at least connected to it that Paul was speaking to specifically regarding their current plight. Thus he instructs them to serve those over them with a heart of sincerity and fear of the Lord.

e) "¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

i) Notice with me the grammatical structure of the sentence of verse 11-12, "¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared(,) bringing salvation for all people(,) ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,…"

ii) Church, the Grace of God trains us to renounce ungodliness; not give excuse for it. Grace empowers us; it doesn't excuse us. Grace trains us to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,"

iii) Friends, the power of the Cross is found in this one verse, verse 14, "¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

f) ¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

i) Paul closes with this closing statement which is broken down into 3 parts:

(1) Declare these things

(2) Exhort and rebuke with all authority.

(3) Let no one disregard you.

ii) Paul expected three specific things from Titus while he was on station in Crete. Paul expected Titus to teach what he had been instructed in and declare them to others. He was also expected to exhort and rebuke with all authority which meant that it was his duty to bring order to the church and to rebuke if necessary to bring things in line because he had the apostolic authority to do so. And lastly, he was admonished to let no one disregard him and his authority.

iii) The Greek word used for disregard (some record "despise) is the word "Periphroneo" which interprets to mean, "to look down upon or to despise". Strong's Greek 4065.

iv) This could be easily be correlated to Titus' age and the fact that he being young could be looked down upon those who are older and refuse to support his leadership. It seems to be an admonishment to Titus to do these things because Titus had Paul's authority to exercise apostolic authority to get things in line and order to the church itself.

"¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

Titus Chapter 3

1) Be Ready for Every Good Work

a) "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another."

i) In chapter 3, the Apostle Paul continues with his emphasis on the culture of the Church itself by encouraging them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to be ready for every good work. The culture of the Church builds the community of the Church and it is the culture and community of the Church that is meant to make an impact on the world around us and it can and will even affect government.

ii) Paul goes on to encourage them to guard their words by choosing to not speak evil to anyone, to avoid quarreling and to be gentle to others as well as show perfect courtesy towards all people. Again, how we conduct ourselves and how we treat people matters and Paul did not give us an opt out clause because he said "all people".

iii) No matter if we agree or disagree with someone else's life style, actions, words, etc.; we should strive to show courtesy towards all people.

iv) In light of verse 3, I challenge us all to remember who we used to be and choose to not be that person anymore; if we are born again, live by your new nature and not the old one. Love God. Love People. You will never influence others to change by living as they do.

b) "⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

i) Friends, it is the Goodness of God and not your works that is the culprit of our salvation. Verse 5 tells us, "⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…"

ii) His Mercy and his loving kindness is what led to our salvation and transformation. And that transformation took place by two specific articles: the washing of regeneration (the Blood of Christ) and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Restoration of the Fall)

iii) And the Lord didn't just regenerate and renew but He poured them both out upon us richly through Christ Jesus our savior therefore not just redeeming us but making us heirs to the hope of eternal life!

iv) The fact that Christ was resurrected is a promise to us that we, too, shall be as well!

c) "⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."

i) Like a father trying to protect his child, here we see the record of Paul again trying to guard the Church from falling into error or being deceived by false teachings.

ii) Paul instructs that those who believe in God should be careful to devote themselves to good works and not get trapped in divisions controversies, genealogies or dissensions or quarrels about the Law because again these things are not profitable and are worthless.

iii) We must be careful of what we expose ourselves to as well as what we partake of.

2) Final Instructions and Greetings

a) "¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. ¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all."

i) As is Paul's norm at the end of each letter, he takes time to provide closing remarks as well as greetings to specific people who are in the church itself. He makes reference to where he would be spending the winter months; winter restricted travel due to weather and ocean conditions.

ii) He then speaks of two people, namely Zenas and Apollos, requesting that these individuals get to him quickly and ask the church to provide financial support to assist them in their journey.

iii) After this admonishment, he again requests that the people devote themselves to good works and so encouraged them to help in situations that are urgent needs and to not be unfruitful.

iv) ¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all."