Titus— Live the Word
5.03.23
In all things showing yourself to be an example of good works: in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, and soundness.. (Titus 2:7)
Titus was one of Paul’s faithful co-workers, though he is never mentioned in the book of Acts. What we learn about him from the book itself and other portions of the NT is that he was converted through Paul’s ministry. He was a companion of Paul and Barnabas when they visited the Jerusalem Council. He served as an example of a Gentile who entered into the grace of God by faith and not by circumcision. He served as a messenger to the Church at Corinth during Paul’s third missionary journey.
The Book of Titus explains that he was left by Paul on the island of Crete to superintend the churches. Crete is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, to the west of Cyprus, and south of Greece.
He seems to have been a steady, faithful and mature man of God.. During Paul’s last days, he sent Titus to minister in Dalmatia. What later became known as Yugoslavia, it has now been divided into several countries—Kosovo, Serbia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bosnia, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Just as Timothy was the apostolic delegate in Ephesus, so Titus served as such on the island of Crete. The difference lies in that, while Paul spent three years in Ephesus, and had left an established work there, we have no record of his ministry on Crete. Possibly, the seed of the Gospel came there from some converts on the Day of Pentecost. Paul may have pioneered a work there with Titus after his first imprisonment from Rome.
The Cretans were a difficult, stubborn people. They had been conquered by the Romans about sixty years before the birth of Christ, but had been a difficult people to control. Even after Paul established the churches there, they still needed to be warned to be obedient to their rulers.
The theme of this little epistle is ‘Live the Truth.’ It was likely written a year or two before Paul wrote 2 Timothy, his last epistle. While 1 Timothy was a charge to a young pastor, and 2 Timothy was a challenge to the same man, Titus is a caution. It is a strong and urgent reminder that sound faith must be accompanied by good works. In this triad of books, we are told to protect the deposit of the truth, proclaim it, and now to practice it.
The key emphasis of the book is on good works being displayed in the Christian life (1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14). When we by faith receive the grace of God offered in His Son, Jesus Christ, it will change our lives, and we will be motivated by love to live for Jesus.
A simple outline of the book would be that the first chapter deals with the behavior of the church leaders, while chapters 2, 3 are concerned with the godly behavior of the members.
The Lord Jesus is primarily presented in 2:11-14. The good works of the believer are connected to and motivated by Christ. In the past, God’s grace was manifested to men in Christ at Calvary. In the present, the believer is to deny ungodliness, and live soberly and righteously in this world by the power of Christ. The believer is to be looking for the glorious return of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
That phrase, “God and Savior,” is a clear presentation of Jesus’ deity; He is both God and Savior, the God-Man. What a wonderful Savior!