Titus: A Reading Guide
Introduction:
This letter was written near the end of Paul's life between 62 and 63 A.D. Paul's goal is to see that the church continues after his death. The infant church needed strengthening so that missionary work everywhere could continue.
Titus is a book, like the letters to Timothy, that seeks to establish "order" in the churches. As everyone can see, it is no easy matter to lead a church and, in fact, can be downright complicated. The letters to Timothy and Titus are for people responsible for the direction of a Christian community or church.
A difference between 1 Timothy and Titus is that the latter was written to a pastor where there was a previous church. 1 Timothy was written to a church that had already existed for over 10 years.
These letters were written close to the time of Paul's death as 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, Jude and James were written close to the deaths of these other Christian leaders. These letters focus on what these leaders thought was the essence of the Christian faith.
Paul sent Titus to the mission field to establish order in the church of Crete, an island south of Athens.
There are three types of information in the letter: 1. What Christians believe, 2. What Titus should do in the church of Crete, 3. Warnings.
Outline:
Introduction:
This letter was written near the end of Paul's life between 62 and 63 A.D. Paul's goal is to see that the church continues after his death. The infant church needed strengthening so that missionary work everywhere could continue.
Titus is a book, like the letters to Timothy, that seeks to establish "order" in the churches. As everyone can see, it is no easy matter to lead a church and, in fact, can be downright complicated. The letters to Timothy and Titus are for people responsible for the direction of a Christian community or church.
A difference between 1 Timothy and Titus is that the latter was written to a pastor where there was a previous church. 1 Timothy was written to a church that had already existed for over 10 years.
These letters were written close to the time of Paul's death as 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, Jude and James were written close to the deaths of these other Christian leaders. These letters focus on what these leaders thought was the essence of the Christian faith.
Paul sent Titus to the mission field to establish order in the church of Crete, an island south of Athens.
There are three types of information in the letter: 1. What Christians believe, 2. What Titus should do in the church of Crete, 3. Warnings.
Outline:
- Salutation (Titus 1:1-3)
- The task of Titus (Titus 1:4-16)
- What to teach (Titus 2:1-15)
- The conduct of a believer (Titus 3:1-11)
- Final personal greetings (Titus 3:12-15)
Exposition:
Salutation (Titus
1:1-3)
Doctrine: Our hope is eternal life, which God, who cannot
lie, promised before the foundation of creation. Now, in due time, this has been fulfilled through the preaching
entrusted to me by God our Savior. (Titus 1:2-3)
The
task of Titus (Titus 1:4-16)
Paul commands Titus to establish order in the church. The problem in the church is leadership. The lack of leadership has resulted in the increase of false teaching. This is solved by two actions that Titus must take. First, he must establish leadership in the church by the appointment of "elders." The requirements are that leaders should have some maturity in their persons, and, that they may be blameless. Such maturity in the faith should be reflected in the behavior of their families.
Leaders (elders) should also be able to teach "sound doctrine." Today we live in a time where doctrine is neglected. This opens the door to much false teaching. Certainly this describes the situation today.
Second, it is necessary to confront the false teachers and "shut their mouths." When balance is lost in church leadership, many evils are unleashed. The consequence of the lack of capable leaders is the promulgation of false doctrine and practices of charlatans and deceivers. This has the result of "ruining" lives (Titus 1:11). Thus we see the importance of leadership training.
Paul commands Titus to establish order in the church. The problem in the church is leadership. The lack of leadership has resulted in the increase of false teaching. This is solved by two actions that Titus must take. First, he must establish leadership in the church by the appointment of "elders." The requirements are that leaders should have some maturity in their persons, and, that they may be blameless. Such maturity in the faith should be reflected in the behavior of their families.
Leaders (elders) should also be able to teach "sound doctrine." Today we live in a time where doctrine is neglected. This opens the door to much false teaching. Certainly this describes the situation today.
Second, it is necessary to confront the false teachers and "shut their mouths." When balance is lost in church leadership, many evils are unleashed. The consequence of the lack of capable leaders is the promulgation of false doctrine and practices of charlatans and deceivers. This has the result of "ruining" lives (Titus 1:11). Thus we see the importance of leadership training.
What to teach (Titus 2:1-15)
Paul is concerned not only with church leadership. Sound doctrine must be the basis of what happens in the church. When such doctrine is preached, the different aspects of the church should work correctly.
All those who comprise the church, older men and women, younger men and women, and slaves, have duties to perform.
Paul is concerned not only with church leadership. Sound doctrine must be the basis of what happens in the church. When such doctrine is preached, the different aspects of the church should work correctly.
All those who comprise the church, older men and women, younger men and women, and slaves, have duties to perform.
Doctrine: God has appeared to all
mankind revealing his grace which brings
salvation. It teaches us to deny
ungodliness and worldly passions. Instead, we can live in this world with
righteousness, piety and self-control, as we await the blessed hope, that is,
the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself a people dedicated to doing good (Titus 2:11-14).
"This is what you should teach" (Titus 2:15).
"This is what you should teach" (Titus 2:15).
The conduct of a believer (Titus 3:1-11)
Here is an exhortation to submit to civil authorities, and then an exhortation to good works towards all men.
Here is an exhortation to submit to civil authorities, and then an exhortation to good works towards all men.
Doctrine: "At one time we too were foolish and disobedient.
We were misled and
enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice
and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our
Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not by our own works of righteousness, but according
to his mercy. He saved us through the washing
of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs harboring
the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-8).
Paul makes the claim that this message is trustworthy.
That is to say, the gospel is true.
Then continues another exhortation to avoid "foolish controversies" that are not profitable.
Final personal greetings (Titus 3:12-15)
The letter ends with detailed instructions regarding Paul and his relationships to Titus and others whom he was shortly going to see. There is also a note that they must learn how to perform the works of a missionary of Jesus and not lead a useless life.
Comments on "Doctrine"
Then continues another exhortation to avoid "foolish controversies" that are not profitable.
Final personal greetings (Titus 3:12-15)
The letter ends with detailed instructions regarding Paul and his relationships to Titus and others whom he was shortly going to see. There is also a note that they must learn how to perform the works of a missionary of Jesus and not lead a useless life.
Comments on "Doctrine"
- It clearly indicates that Jesus is Savior and God.
- It indicates that we are all sinners without hope apart from Jesus.
- It indicates that God's plan was conceived before the creation of the world.
- Salvation was promised in the Old Testament.
- Salvation is of the Holy Spirit.
- Justification is the result of grace.
- Our hope is to receive eternal life and become heirs with Christ.
- It does not say that we have to do only what Jesus did.
Bibliography
- David F. Burt, Why do we need pastors?, Scaffolding.
- David F. Burt, Adorning the Doctrine of God, Scaffolding.
- Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, "Titus" in How to Read the Bible book by book, Life.
- William Hendriksen, "Titus" in New Testament Commentary, Baker Books.
