Titus Overview
Titus could be seen as a reduced version of 1 Timothy with similar themes. Paul wanted Titus to set up qualified elders in all the cities of Crete and teach believers that gospel roots produce gospel fruit. Over and over again Paul says, “Be zealous for good works.”
Literary Genre of Titus
Epistle (a letter written to someone)
Date Titus Was Written
AD 62
Author of Titus
The author of this book is Paul, the apostle. Read more about Paul’s background and life here.
About Titus
This epistle was written to Titus. Like Timothy, Titus is a young guy, dedicated to ministry, and one of Paul’s coworkers. Paul had recently established churches in Crete and left Titus to care for them. Crete was known to be crass and vulgar. Much of the culture and common behavior of the people was opposite of what the Gospel teaches. It was said that Cretans were the same as liars. Epimendes, a poet from 6th century BC actually said, “All Cretans were liars.”
Theme of Titus
Train in Godliness
Key Verse of Titus
“But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Titus 3:4-5
The Purpose of Titus
Paul’s purpose in writing to Titus was to make sure leadership was set up in Crete. He wanted Titus to help the churches there live out the Gospel. Part of that was teaching them to grow in saying no to what’s wrong. It was also instructing them to have a love for Godliness because of the Lord’s mercy on them. In Titus 3:5 (the verse above) we find a clear statement about salvation. Our salvation comes not from what we do, but from what Christ has done. We’re not only saved from Hell, but we’re also saved to something. We’ve been saved to do good works. Our response should be good works out of gratitude for what the Lord has done.
Titus Outline
- 1:1-4 Warm Greeting
- 1:5-9 Qualifications for Elders
- 1:10-16 Insist on Right Doctrine and Right Living
- 2:1-10 Paul’s Familial, Relational Model of Ministry
- 2:11-15 The Grace of God Separates us from Evil
- 3:1-11 Christian Life and Practice
- 3:12-15 On a More Personal Note
Why You Should Study Titus
We should study Titus now because it contains a potent, concise calling to live out our faith. It’s good for both new and old believers to study it.
Do you want to keep learning about the Bible?
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Content reworked from Andrew Royer’s Pastoral Epistles class at Ethnos360 Bible Institute
Edited and formatted by Eliza Noel
