As stated in the opening of each letter, Titus was written by Paul (Ti 1:1). However, many scholars today assume that Paul did not write them. This opinion is based on the differences from his other letters in vocabulary and style, alleged differences in theology, and uncertainties about where these letters fit chronologically in the life of the apostle. But the differences in style and vocabulary are not troublesome when one considers that authors often use different vocabulary when addressing different groups and situations. Rather than addressing churches in these letters, Paul was writing to coworkers who were in unique ministry settings. Hence we would expect different vocabulary. Also, the traditional view of the historical situation in which Paul wrote this letter is reasonable and defensible. Therefore, in spite of significant opposition by some scholars, there is a solid basis for accepting the Pastoral Epistles as Pauline.
Paul most likely wrote Titus after the time covered in the book of Acts. Acts closes with Paul in prison. Traditionally it has been believed that Paul was released from this imprisonment, then continued his work around the Mediterranean, perhaps even reaching Spain (Rm 15:22-29). During this time, he visited Crete and other places. Titus was written during this period of further mission work. Titus had been left in Crete after the initial work to set up the church there (Ti 1:5). Eventually Paul was imprisoned again, and this led to his execution.
Titus is rich theologically and ethically. One of the key contributions is the clear way it shows the connection between doctrine and ethics, belief and behavior.
While this letter was not intended to provide a detailed account of church government, it does provide some significant insights on this topic.
Titus follows the typical pattern of a Greek epistle. While there are some lexical differences with many of Paul’s other letters, keep in mind that this letter is written to a specific individual. One thing unique to the structure of this letter is the focus on church leadership.
The Spirit is poured out on us abundantly by Jesus Christ, and we are “justified by his grace.” Both justification and sanctification come to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We must never forget that regeneration is worked in us by the Holy Spirit but comes to us by Jesus Christ. We do not receive any blessing apart from our Lord Jesus. In all works of the Spirit, whether regeneration or renewal, the Lord Jesus is putting forth his power, for he says, “Look, I am making everything new” (Rv 21:5).
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for A the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads B to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior:
QUOTE 1:2
Falsehood is the expedient of a fool. Only a shortsighted person lies. For some present advantage the poor creature who cannot see the end as well as the beginning states what is false, but no wise person who can look far into the future ever thinks a lie to be profitable; this person knows that truth may suffer loss at first, but in the long run she is always successful.
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith.
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town. 6 An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful C children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
10 For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 14 and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.
15 To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
1:2 “God, who cannot lie.” The scriptural idea of God forbids that he should lie. It is utterly inconsistent with the Holy One, whose kingdom is over all, that he could lie. God is too wise to lie. Falsehood is the expedient of a fool. Only a shortsighted person lies. For some present advantage the poor creature who cannot see the end as well as the beginning states what is false, but no wise person who can look far into the future ever thinks a lie to be profitable; this person knows that truth may suffer loss at first, but in the long run she is always successful.
1:13-14 “This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.” This was bad soil, but it had to be plowed, sown; and, with an Almighty God at the back of the gospel plower and sower, a fruitful harvest came even in Crete. We need not be afraid of the adaptation of the gospel to the lowest of the low. If in any quarter of the town the people are more sunken in vice than anywhere else, there the gospel is to be carried with more prayer and more faith than anywhere else. Depend upon it: God can bless his Word anywhere.
2But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching. 2 Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled 7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity A in your teaching. 8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.
9 Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back 10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation B for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
ILLUSTRATION 2:14
Good works spring from union with Christ. We believe that the more we know and feel ourselves to be one with Jesus, the more holy we will be. Why is a Christian’s character like Christ’s character? Only for this reason—that a Christian is joined and united to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why does that branch bring forth grapes? Simply because it has been grafted into the vine, and therefore it partakes of the nature of the stem. So the only way we can bring forth fruit to God is by being grafted into Christ and united with him. Christians who think they walk in holiness without keeping up perpetual fellowship with Christ have made a great mistake. If we want to be holy, we must live close to Jesus. Good works spring only from there. Here we draw the most powerful reasons against anything like trusting in works, for as works are only the gift of God, how utterly impossible does it become for an unrighteous, unconverted, ungodly person to produce any such good works on their own? And if they are God’s gifts, how little merit can there be in them.
15 Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard C you.
2:2 “Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.” Among the heathen, old men often gave themselves up to drunkenness and gluttony. So now this is the teaching that is to be given to aged Christian men. They need faith, love, and patience, as well as the virtues of sobriety, gravity, and temperance. The infirmities of old age often create petulance, so the grace of God is to make the venerable Christian to be full of faith, love, and patience.
2:6 “In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.” That exhortation is as necessary now as it was in Crete! Young men often know a great deal—or think they do—and they are apt to be intoxicated with the idea of knowing so much and being able to do so much—so that the exhortation to them is to “be self-controlled.”
2:14 “Eager to do good works.” Our good works, if we have any, spring from a real conversion. Yet more, they also spring from a constant spiritual influence exercised on us from the time of conversion even until the hour of death. We would have no good works if we had no fresh influence day by day. We would not find the grace given us at our first hour sufficient to produce fruit today. It is not like the planting of a tree in our hearts, which naturally of itself brings forth fruit. The sap has to come up from the root, Jesus Christ. We are not trees by ourselves, but we are branches attached to the living vine. Good works are the gifts of God, his choice pearls, which he sends down with his grace.
3Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us —not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.
14 Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. 15 All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.
3:2 “To slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness.” Kindness and gentleness are two of the ornaments of our faith. I would that some professed Christians would understand that unholy contentiousness is not after the mind of Christ. The Christian must be willing to suffer wrongfully and to bear it in patience. He is never to be one who renders evil for evil or railing for railing.
3:7 “Having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” The Spirit is poured out on us abundantly by Jesus Christ, and we are “justified by his grace.” Both justification and sanctification come to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We must never forget that regeneration is worked in us by the Holy Spirit but comes to us by Jesus Christ. We do not receive any blessing apart from our Lord Jesus. In all works of the Spirit, whether regeneration or renewal, the Lord Jesus is putting forth his power, for he says, “Look, I am making everything new” (Rv 21:5).