Introduction to

Titus

Author

The first word of the letter names “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (1:1), as its author. This locates the letter among a dozen other NT documents with similar openings. Titus is Paul’s associate (2 Cor 8:23; Gal 2:1, 3; 2 Tim 4:10). While doubts about Paul’s authorship of Titus have been expressed (see Introductions to 1 and 2 Timothy: Author), there is nothing in the setting, language, teaching, or underlying theology of this letter sufficient to prevent accepting the first word’s testimony.

Date, Place of Composition, and Destination

Titus is a pastoral leader whom Paul assigned to put things in order on the island of Crete (1:5). He and Paul worked together for well over a decade (see note on 2 Tim 4:10). Paul writes perhaps in the early AD 60s after release from his first imprisonment. He appears to be on a mission as he writes; the precise location is unknown, but he plans to arrive in Nicopolis soon (3:12). Nicopolis was on the west coast of the province of Epirus in central Greece.

Purpose

It is not known just how or when the faith was established in Crete. But at the time Paul writes, it seems local gatherings of believers (probably house churches) have reached a point where they require more formal and established leaders (as in Acts 14:23). The letter furnishes guidance for this process. In addition to upright leadership (1:5–9), Paul is concerned that both sexes, all ages, and all social classes live out the gospel (2:1–10). Titus must refute leaders who mislead (1:10–16), avoiding useless controversy and exercising church discipline where required (3:9–11). He needs to make progress in these tasks soon enough to join Paul before winter (3:12).

Genre

Titus is a letter from an apostle to a trusted co-worker and, by extension, to the churches he has been called to stabilize via leadership development (see Introduction to 1 Timothy: Genre). While Paul’s words are particularly relevant to the original recipients, they retain appeal and indeed authority for followers of Christ today, for the apostolic faith was not only for then and there but continues in the church until the end of the age (Matt 28:20).

Canonicity

As in the case of 1-2 Timothy, there is evidence that Titus was known and cited as a Pauline writing by the early second century (see Introductions to 1-2 Timothy: Canonicity). This helps account for the fairly uniform high regard that the letter has received throughout church history (until recent times in some circles).

Themes and Theology

The nouns occurring most frequently in Titus (with their number of occurrences) are God (13), work (as in “good works”; 8), faith (6), and Savior (6). Christ is presented in elevated (but not exaggerated) terms. His earthly appearance showed him to be Savior, just like God the Father (1:4; 2:10). His future appearance is “the blessed hope” wrapped up in the revelation of “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2:13). Titus 2:13 is one of several NT verses that explicitly identifies Jesus as God (see also John 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Heb 1:8; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 John 5:20).

Christ’s divinity is not an abstract truth, however glorious, but a transformative witness that impels followers to good works (“what is good”; 1:8; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14). False followers identify themselves in part by lack of such actions (1:16). Paul’s many ethical promptings are therefore calls for believers to show in real life the gospel they profess. For Paul, saving faith (1:1, 4, 13; 2:2; 3:8, 15) is shown not least in its actions.

The message of Titus takes shape against a unique social background. Cretan culture was widely regarded as disorderly and rife with dishonesty. The prominent mythical god Zeus allegedly was born and died on Crete, earning divine status by his generosity to humans. Some passages in Titus take on sharper meaning when this myth is borne in mind; Paul likely shapes his discourse to engage Cretan convictions, for these may have challenged Christian teaching. Paul drew on teachings about the true and living God, not a mythical one.

Outline

I. Greeting With Reminders About God (1:1–4)

II. Reason for Writing and Instructions for Titus (1:5—2:15)

A. Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good (1:5–9)

B. Rebuking Those Who Fail to Do Good (1:10–16)

C. Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel (2:1–15)

III. Saved in Order to Do Good: Instructions for the Church (3:1–11)

IV. Final Remarks (3:12–15)