Introduction
The
book of Titus was authored by the Apostle Paul through divine inspiration of
the Holy Spirit. This epistle is one of
three letters that are commonly referred to as the "Pastoral
Epistles." Paul penned these
leadership manuals to his two young proteges: Timothy (1 & 2 Timothy) and
Titus (Titus).
These
books bear this title due to the nature of the letter and the recipients. Paul was writing these affectionate words to
his sons in the faith who were faithfully serving the Lord as pastors. Paul held a personal and intimate
relationship with these young men in addition to being their mentor. As their leader Paul sought to properly
instruct both Timothy and Titus on how to properly lead within their respective
ministries. Titus and Timothy were both
young men who desperately needed the guidance of a seasoned veteran like the
Apostle Paul. All young pastors and
veteran pastors should follow this model of being a discipler and being a disciple. It is a sad sentiment when an experienced
pastor has no desire to train up a young protege behind him. It is tragic in the life of a young man when
he does not submit himself to a godly leader for guidance, wisdom and
direction.
In
each of these three letters Paul was dealing with different situations and
circumstances that these men of God found themselves in. The first letter Timothy received was a
letter reminding him of the ministry gift that was given to him and not to let
fear overtake him. The second letter was
a great book of exhortation and encouragement to this young man. The book of Titus was written to encourage
Titus to lead and set in order the things that were lacking at the church
(Tit. 1:5).
Who is Titus?
The
young and gifted ministry leader Titus was mentioned thirteen times in the New
Testament:
"To
Titus a true Son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4).
"Then
after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem
"Yet
not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek was compelled to be
circumcised" (Gal. 2:3).
"For
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for
Thessalonica, Crescens for Galatia ,
Titus for Dalmatia " (2 Tim. 4:10).
"I
had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother" (2 Cor.
2:13).
"Nevertheless
God, who comforts the downcast, comforted by the coming of Titus" (2 Cor.
7:6).
"Therefore
we have been comforted in your comfort.
And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit
has been refreshed by all of you (2 Cor. 7:13).
"For
if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth,
even so our boasting to Titus was found true" (2 Cor. 7:14).
"So
we urged Titus, that he had begun, so he would complete this grace in you as
well" (2 Cor. 8:6).
"But
thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of
Titus" (2 Cor. 8:16).
"If
anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you"
(2 Cor. 8:23).
"I
urged Titus, and sent our brother with him.
Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did
we not walk in the same steps? (2 Cor. 12:18).
Upon
taking this biblical survey we learn a great deal about Titus. We can see that he was very close to Paul, a
Gentile, and was very involved in the church at Corinth
The Controversy Over Titus
Titus
has been the topic of some debate and controversy throughout the history of the
Christian church. The discussions have
arose over what Paul wrote in the second letter he sent to Timothy, "For
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for
Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia" (2 Tim. 4:10). The question is did Titus fall away from the
faith just like Demas did? Was Titus an
apostate?
Some
have stated that this verse clearly states that Demas, Crescens and Titus all
departed from the faith. The reason for
this conclusion is based upon the phrase, "having loved this present
world" (2 Tim. 4:10aa). These
individuals say that this phrase means that Demas was overtaken by the lusts of
this world and pursued after them leaving this present world behind. In addition they connect this phrase to
Crescens and Titus as well, thus stating that they left their first love as
well.
Others
have taking this phrase to mean no more than Demas had to mind his worldly
business. Due to some economic difficult
they conclude that Demas had to depart for Thessalonica to try to get himself
back upon his feet again. Then they do
not connect this phrase to Crescens and Titus stating that they left for
reasons not specified to us by the apostle.
I
do not believe that Titus was an apostate.
I believe that Titus was sent to Dalmatia
by the Apostle Paul himself. Upon
investigating the book of Romans you will take notice that Paul had been to Dalmatia preaching the gospel of Christ. Dalmatia is a country in Europe, a part of
Illyricum where the Apostle Paul cited that he ministered (Rom.
Theme of Titus
Paul
left the well trained and gifted young leader in Crete
for a very specific purpose. Titus was
divinely and authoritatively appointed as the leader for the church in Crete . It is
probable that the church in Crete was comprised of several small home churches
just like the church at Ephesus Crete . Throughout this book we will cover more
detail of HOW Titus was instructed to bring order to the church. The rally cry from the book of Titus is,
"Order, Order in the church!"
Abaondement of Structure
There
have been people in recent days that have called for an abadondment of any
structure within the body of Christ.
These people have become so relationally focused that any mention of the
word authority or structure seems to make them schemish. Let me tell you that from practical
experience that were there is no order there is chaos. If the church
does not have order than it is a church of chaos. So Paul is calling for Titus to bring order
to the church at Crete .
Paul
has imparted an imparted biblical principle to Titus that the Christian church
needs to be by necessity a church of structure and order. As we embark upon this journey through the
book of Titus together let's pray that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to
properly order the church for the glory and honor of Christ, the head of the
church (Eph. 5:23).
1. Paul describes himself as a “bondservant” and an “apostle.” Define the terms, “bondservant” and apostle. Why do you think Paul began his letter to Titus this way?
ReplyDelete- Bondservant - He's describing himself as a slave of, owned by and serving God.
- Apostle - An official representative of Christ.
- I think Paul is establishing what authority he is representing in his teaching to follow. Much as Christ states several times in the book of John including John 7:16, "My teaching is not mine, but His who sent Me."
2. Titus is one of three pastoral epistles. What are the other two? Why are these three letters given this title?
- 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.
- Because they were addressed to those that were sons in the faith serving the Lord as pastors.
3. Based on Titus 1:1-4 describe the relationship that existed between Paul and Titus.
- They were apparently very close. Vs. 4a says, "To Titus, my true child in a common faith:" It leads me to believe that Paul is not only a mentor to Titus but may have been the instrument that the Lord used to convert him.
4. Read verse 3. What does this verse teach us about preaching?
- Preaching is for those who are appointed and called by God.
5. Read 2 Timothy 4:10. Does this verse say that Titus departed from the faith? Explain your answer.
- At first look it may on the surface appear to say exactly that. However, considering the argument of RC Sproul and our beloved Pastor Eric, I would tend to disagree. RC Sproul states that Dalmatia is the the Westernmost province reached by Paul on his first three missionary journey's. (also known as Illyricum). Paul also mentions in several of his letters, sending other brother's in the faith to minister to certain churches. See example of Titus 3:12.
6. What is the main theme of this book? Cite your answer with Scripture reference.
- Vs. 5 states, "For this cause lift 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 was to set in order the things that are wanting; one of which was appointing elders. The guidelines for this follow vs. 5.