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Books of the Bible |
Written by the Apostle Paul to Titus.
Dates range from A.D. 63 to A.D. 66, it is generally accepted that Titus was written around the same time as I Timothy.
The primary purpose of the letter is to encourage and assist Titus in the task of establishing the church in Crete. The letter deals especially with the qualities of the leaders and instruction in living a Godly life. It also touches briefly on a number of critical doctrines.
Greeting (1:1-4)
Qualifications for Elders (1:5-9)
Warnings against false teachers (1:10-16)
The duty of Titus to teach sound doctrine (2:1)
Instructions for the various age groups in the church (2:2-6)
The personal example of Titus (2:7-8)
Encouragement and exhortation to slaves (2:9-10)
The basis in Grace for the preceding instructions (2:11-14)
Again, the duty of Titus (2:15)
General instructions in Christian living (3:1-11)
Personal conclusion and farewell (3:12-15)
The letter is written to Titus on the island of Crete, where he is establishing the Christian church after Paul has departed. Crete was a wealthy island that was one of the more important business centers in the ancient world. The combination of wealth and the blending of cultures that always takes place in centers of trade led to a great deal of immorality and excess. The quote from the Greek poet Epimenides in Titus 1:12 pretty well summed up the culture.
Titus is mentioned in several places in the New Testament as one of Paul's most trusted assistants. He is mentioned in II Corinthians, Galatians and II Timothy. He was a Greek who had be converted through Paul's ministry and the accompanied Paul on some of his travels.
Theologically Titus is most noted for its directions regarding church organization and the qualifications of elders, pastors and other leaders. In a broader sense Titus addresses the issue of how a believer who has been saved from sin should live in a sinful world. Of particular interest is that Paul encourages good behavior specifically so that the testimony of the Gospel would not be hampered by the behavior of those who claim it. The good works the believers show are a visible testimony to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.