The Letter to Titus was written by the Apostle Paul around AD 63. He identifies himself in the first verse, “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ…” (Titus 1:1). The details of Paul’s relationship with Titus are unclear. It is most likely that Titus was converted under Paul’s teaching and later was called into a leadership role by Paul. Titus had accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey that took them to Corinth. It is apparent that Paul felt compelled to write this letter to Titus as a way to help him minister to the people of Crete.
Paul was in Nicopolis when he penned this letter, and he had just been released from his first imprisonment. He most likely was thinking of his friend he left on the island of Crete. Titus had traveled with Paul to Crete, where Paul placed him in a leadership position. He was charged with helping the new churches on this island to grow and spread the gospel.
The book of Titus is one of the pastoral epistles in the New Testament. Paul wanted to send encouragement to his friend, and in Titus 1:5 Paul states “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.” He is reminding Titus of the duty he was charged with.
Paul also writes this letter to send a warning to Titus. He reminds him in Titus 1:12 of what reputation the people of Crete have. The purpose of this letter is to not only encourage but instruct Titus in his ministry. Lastly, Paul wants Titus to visit him in Nicopolis.
Paul’s words can teach us two very important lessons. The first is how those who are in leadership positions within the church should behave. We learn how to choose our leaders and what God is charging them to accomplish. Paul emphasizes sound doctrine because of the false teaching that was happening. The same false teachings are heard around the world today and as leaders in the church, we are to commit to spreading the truth.
The second lesson we learn has to do with our salvation. Paul is teaching us that the gift of salvation should not end with us. It should be shared with the world around us as it was meant to give us a beautiful life. In Titus 3:14 Paul says, “Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs so that they will not be unfruitful.” Our good works will show our love and devotion to Christ. It will help us to show what the gift of salvation has done for us, and what it can do for others.
Our world today is full of needs. There are the homeless, the unborn, the widows, and so many more. People that need the love of Christ in their hearts will only receive it as we work to help them. We are not to be judgmental, but compassionate. Christ commands us to go to the ends of the earth to share the gospel.
The words of Paul remind us that we are to remember what Christ did for us. We were freed so that we may aid in the freeing of all mankind. We are not to sit still and keep the message of Jesus Christ to ourselves. Working to help others in need and sharing the gift of salvation is as important today as it was when Paul wrote these words.
Titus 1:9, “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
Titus 2:3, “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.”
Titus 2:7, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.”
Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
Titus 2:12: “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Titus 3:5, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
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