Concise Bible Dictionary:
One of the Pastoral Epistles, so called because addressed to an individual servant of the Lord. It was apparently written after Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome (when otherwise could he have left Titus at Crete? Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)), and before his second imprisonment. From whence it was written is not known: its date may be about A.D. 64. The epistle urges the maintenance of good works and order in the church, and states the principles on which they are founded.
After the introductory salutation in which the counsels of God are referred to, and the acknowledging of truth which is according to piety, Paul states for what purpose he had left Titus at Crete:
1, to set in order things that were still left incomplete; and
The qualifications for such an office are then given: no particular gift is essential, but blameless moral character is indispensable, and soundness in the faith. There were at Crete many deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped.
The Cretans had a bad reputation nationally, as appears from one of themselves who had said, “The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” (The quotation is from Epimenides, a poet of the sixth century B.C. His sayings were quoted as oracles, which may account for his being called a “prophet”) They were to be rebuked sharply that they might be sound in the faith. To the pure all things are pure, but nothing is pure to the defiled and unbelieving, the mind and conscience being defiled.
Titus 2. Titus was to speak things that became sound teaching, with exhortations suited to those of different ages, and to servants, himself being in all things a pattern of good works, and his teaching such as could not be condemned. Then follows a summary of Christianity as a practical power in man, by the teaching of grace. The grace of God that carries salvation for all has appeared, teaching how a Christian is to live, awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who died to redeem such from all lawlessness, and to purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 3. Titus was to teach subjection to worldly powers and obedience to every good work. They had been characterized by ungodliness, but the kindness and love of the Saviour-God having appeared, He according to His mercy had saved them by the washing of regeneration (the moral cleansing connected with the new order of things in Christianity, compare Matthew 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)), and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He had richly poured out upon them through Jesus Christ their Saviour (the “renewal” is more than new birth, it is the Spirit’s active energy in the believer), that, having been justified by His grace, they should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus was to insist on the maintenance of good works, but foolish questions were to be avoided. A heretic, after two admonitions, was to be abandoned: he was self-condemned. A few personal details are added, and the epistle closes with the benediction.
Bible Handbook:
When and by whom the gospel was first preached at Crete is not known. It may have been by Paul himself after his release from his two years’ imprisonment at Rome. When otherwise could he have left Titus at Crete (ch. 1:5)?
The inhabitants were remarkable for their evil habits. It had been publicly pointed out by others besides the saying of their own prophet or poet quoted in verse 12.
Among those gathered by the gospel were Jews as well as Gentiles (verse 10).
In few words, the epistle may be said to be the maintenance of order in the church and the principles on which it is founded.
There is no proof that Titus was permanently settled at Crete. Paul requests him to leave when other labourers were sent (ch. 3:12). In the subscription it is only the later MSS that say anything about Titus being ‘bishop of Crete.’
From whence the epistle was sent is not known. Its date may be about A.D. 67.
Chapter 1
Verses 1-4. Paul, servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s elect, and knowledge of the truth which is according to piety; in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages of time, but manifested, in its due season, His word through preaching which was committed to Paul — to Titus, his own son in the faith, grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.
Verses 5-14. Paul had left Titus in Crete, (1) to set things in order which were still unordered; and, (2) to establish elders in each city (also called ‘bishops’, or overseers, in ver. 7). The qualifications for such an office are then detailed. What the apostle deputed to Titus to do in Crete did not extend to other countries, nor to the rest of Titus’ life; still less could he pass this authority on to others. After the removal of the apostles, the saints, guided by the indication of the qualifications named, could recognize any doing the work of an overseer, and submit themselves to such (see 1 Cor. 16:15-1615I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth. (1 Corinthians 16:15‑16)).
There were many deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped: they subverted whole houses, and taught for base gain.
One of themselves (the Cretans) had said, “The Cretans are always liars, wild beasts, lazy gluttons.” The quotation is from Epimenides, a poet of Crete, who lived in the sixth century B.C. His sayings were counted as oracles, which may have led to his being called ‘a prophet.’
This was true of them nationally: therefore Titus was to rebuke them sharply, that they might be sound in the faith, avoiding Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth.
Verses 15-16. To the pure all things are pure (for, led of God, they refuse the evil) but nothing is pure to the defiled and unbelieving, for both their mind and conscience are defiled.
Such profess to know God, but in works deny Him; they are abominable, disobedient, and as to every good work worthless.
Chapter 2
Verses 1-10. Titus was to speak things that became sound teaching, with suited exhortations to elder men, to elder women, to young women, and to young men: Titus himself being in all things a pattern of good works, and his teaching such that could not be condemned.
Servants were also exhorted to a consistent walk, so as to adorn the teaching of our Saviour-God in all things.
Verses 11-15. For the grace of God that carries salvation for all men has appeared, teaching us what to deny, and how to live; and to await the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us and to purify to Himself a peculiar people zealous for good works.
These things Titus was to teach, and where needed he was to rebuke with all authority. (Verses 11-15 give a summary of Christianity as a practical reality for man.)
Chapter 3
Verses 1-7. Titus was to put them in mind to obey the powers that be, with divers other exhortations.
We were once characterized by ungodliness, but when the kindness and love to man of our Saviour-God appeared, not on the principle of works, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration (the cleansing in connection with the new order of things — see Matthew 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)), and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Saviour (we are not only born of the Holy Spirit, as in John 3, but He works in us, communicating to us all that is ours in Christ): we become heirs according to the hope of eternal life, having been justified by His grace.
Verses 8-15. Titus was to insist on good works being maintained by the believers; but unprofitable questions were to be avoided.
He was to have done with a heretical man after a first and second admonition.
Personal instructions follow, and salutations, and the benediction.
Related Books and Articles: