This brief epistle contains an appeal to Titus to “set in order the things that are wanting,” and to “ordain elders…as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5). The apostle Paul has written, as it were, a memorandum to provide Titus with the sound counsel he needed to achieve and maintain ecclesial harmony in the ecclesias on the island of Crete. Indeed, the instructions Paul supplied are so helpful that Paul’s personal letters to Titus and Timothy are called the Pastoral Epistles. In many ecclesias today, it is still a custom to read these admonitions of Paul before ecclesial elections as valuable reminders of the necessary qualifications of serving brethren.
An outline
In Titus, Paul deals with standards for bishops (Greek, “overseers”) (1:6-9), aged members (2:1-3), younger members (2:4-8), servants (2:9-10) and believers in general (3:1-8). An introduction (1:1-5), a section on false teachers (1:10-16) and one on spiritual errors (3:9-11) are also included. A short ending (3:12-15) completes the letter.
Crete
Crete was a mountainous island in the Mediterranean about 500 km (300 miles) west of Cyprus. Paul was evidently there with Titus before any ecclesial organization had taken place as he writes, “for this cause left I thee (Titus) in Crete” (1:5). The apostle had a firsthand knowledge of the character of the Cretians; after describing them he says: “This witness is true” (1:12-13).
The man Titus
In the salutation, Paul calls Titus his “own son” (1:4), a term also used for Timothy (1 Tim. 1:2). The Greek for “own” is elsewhere translated “sincere” (2 Cor. 8:8) and “true” (Phil. 4:3), underscoring the love Paul had for these men.
Much of what we know about Titus is found in 2 Corinthians. There Titus is termed “brother,” “partner” and ” fellow-helper” (2 Cor. 2:13; 8:23), confirming that he was one of Paul’s closest companions in Christ. From Galatians 2, we learn that Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem where some judaizers thought to compel Titus, a Greek, to be circumcised. Paul withstood this attempt to bring them “into bondage…that the truth of the gospel might continue” (Gal. 2:3-5), thereby setting a pattern that spared Titus and other Gentiles submission to circumcision and the law of Moses as a requirement for salvation.
Paul chose Titus to deliver the stern letter of 1 Corinthians to the ecclesia of that city (2 Cor. 7:6-16). In spite of receiving him “with fear and trembling” (2 Cor. 7:15), Titus was favorably regarded by the recipients. His loving concern for the brotherhood was well demonstrated by his involvement in administering the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:6,16).
The extent of Titus’ dedication is most evident in Paul’ swords, “Walked we not in the same spirit: walked we not in the same steps?” (2 Cor. 12:18).
A difficult task ahead
Titus had an onerous task ahead of him, setting things in order in Crete. The citizens of the island had been described by one of their poets as “liars, evil beasts, slow bellies” (1:12 from Epimenides, 600 B.C.). The gainsayers, especially the circumcision, were “unruly, vain talkers and deceivers.”
Paul instructs Titus to stop their mouths from subverting whole houses — “rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith” (1:13). Forthright rebuke had a positive impact in Corinth and Paul uses a similar approach here.
Emphasis on good works
Of particular note in the epistle is the emphasis Paul places on “good works” (1:16; 2:7,14; 3:1,8,14). He begins this theme on a pessimistic note. They that are defiled are “unto every good work reprobate…they profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (1:16). Similar hard words were used of obstructers of the Truth such as “Jannes and Jambres (who) withstood Moses…men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” (2 Tim. 3:8).
In contrast to the likes of such, Paul admonishes the younger members: “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works…that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (2:7,8). In this way, Paul exhorts the younger members to follow the words of Jesus: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
Note the exhortation is to perform a pattern of good works. While we may find it easy to do good works now and then, God desires a consistent, persistent level of activity on our part.
Examples to follow
Paul appeals to the example of our Savior, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (2:14).
Those that desire salvation must be eager to serve both God and their brethren. As it is written in the law: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27).
Paul was a persistent person. Even before his conversion, he displayed amazing intensity for what he thought was God’s work. He was “more exceedingly zealous of the tradition of my fathers” than the other Pharisees (Gal. 1:14). Upon enlightenment, he served God with this same fervor and he exhorted converts to be of the same mind.
Submission to authorities
Normally, we have no excuse for opposition to the authorities. Only if asked to disobey God’s laws is there reason to break the laws of men (Acts 5:9). Whereas the unbelievers were “disobedient and unto every good work reprobate,” the believers were “to be subject to powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work” (3:1).
Benefits will come
The believers are instructed to “be careful to maintain good works” and to “learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful” (3:8,14). As Paul says elsewhere, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9,10). Certainly Titus was involved in a good work and could look forward to the day when his Lord would come, graciously bringing the reward with him.
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