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Paul's letters · New Testament · 3 chapters

The book of Titus

Sound doctrine that produces good works

Author
The apostle Paul (1:1)
Written
Around AD 63–65, between his two Roman imprisonments (according to tradition)
Time covered
After Paul’s release, around the time of 1 Timothy; Paul plans to spend the winter in Nicopolis (3:12)
Key word
Good works

Paul gives Titus a twofold mission in Crete. First, to appoint in every city blameless elders, committed to the faithful word, able to refute the deceivers who teach fables for shameful gain (1). Then, to teach sound doctrine to every group (older men, older women, young women, young men, servants) so that their conduct honors the gospel; for the grace of God, which has appeared for the salvation of all, teaches us to live godly lives while we await Christ’s return (2). Saved not by our works but by God’s mercy, believers must devote themselves to good works and avoid quarrels (3).

Main theme

Titus must organize the churches of Crete by appointing faithful elders and teaching sound doctrine that transforms life: the grace of God that saves also teaches us to live godly lives and makes us zealous for good works.

Outline

  1. Titus 1 — Elders for every city

    The qualifications of leaders and a warning against the deceivers of Crete.

  2. Titus 2 — Sound doctrine for every age

    Instructions for each group and the grace that saves and teaches (2:11-14).

  3. Titus 3 — A life transformed by grace

    Gentleness toward all, salvation by God’s mercy, good works, and final plans.

Key points

  • Titus is left in Crete to put the churches in order and to appoint elders in every city (1:5).
  • The elder, or bishop, must be blameless as “the steward of God” and hold fast the faithful word in order to exhort and refute (1:7-9).
  • The deceivers, especially among the circumcised, teach for shameful gain; they say they know God but deny him by their works (1:10-16).
  • Every group (older men, older women, young women, young men, servants) receives fitting instruction, so that the gospel may be honored (2:1-10).
  • The grace of God that brings salvation to all teaches us to renounce ungodliness and to live godly lives (2:11-12).
  • Christ gave himself to make for himself a purified people, zealous for good works (2:14).
  • God saved us not by our works but according to his mercy, through the renewing of the Holy Spirit (3:5).
  • The one who causes divisions must be rejected after a first and second admonition (3:10).
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 1:9 — The elder’s double role: to exhort by sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:13–14 — The blessed hope of Christ’s return and the purpose of the cross: a purified people, zealous for good.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:4–7 — A luminous summary of salvation: God’s kindness, his mercy, regeneration, justification by grace.

Jesus in Titus

Titus calls Jesus Christ “our Savior” (1:4; 3:6) and presents his return as the appearing of the glory of “the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (2:13), a phrase in which the evangelical tradition reads an affirmation of his deity. He “gave himself for us” to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify a people for himself (2:14). Through him, God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly, so that, justified by grace, we might be heirs of eternal life (3:6-7).

Did you know?

  • The title “Savior” appears six times, twice in each chapter: each time it is given first to God (1:3; 2:10; 3:4), then to Jesus Christ (1:4; 2:13; 3:6).
  • The Cretan “prophet” cited in 1:12 is identified by tradition with the poet Epimenides of Knossos (6th century BC).
  • Titus, the Greek whom no one could force to be circumcised in Jerusalem (Gal 2:3), is charged with silencing the deceivers “specially they of the circumcision” (1:10).

Quiz on Titus

On which island did Paul leave Titus?

What was Titus to appoint in every city?

According to 3:5, God saved us…

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.