Titus I. Introduction A. Paul's letter to Titus B. Instruction of an evangelist, exhortation to Christians C. Let us consider the book II. Titus: The Details A. Authorship 1. Titus 1:1: Paul 2. As with 1 and 2 Timothy, Pauline authorship sometimes questioned by modern "scholars" 3. Based on speculative principles that betray an ideological bias against the substance of the letters 4. Consistent testimony throughout time is that Titus is truly from Paul B. Dating 1. As with all New Testament letters, no specific date 2. Paul left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5), thus meaning that Paul also was in Crete 3. Only time Paul is mentioned in Acts as being in Crete is during imprisonment trip to Rome (Acts 27:7-13; ca. 59-61 CE) 4. Perhaps Paul left Titus on this occasion, but his letter says he is in Nicopolis, not Rome (Titus 3:12) 5. It is also possible that Paul again visited Crete between imprisonments in Rome during the 60s CE 6. Titus is in Dalmatia when 2 Timothy written (cf. 2 Timothy 4:10); just north of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12) 7. Plausible scenario: Soon after letter to Titus, Paul sends replacement (likely Artemas; cf. Titus 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:12) to him; Titus meets Paul in Nicopolis; both head north to Dalmatia; Paul goes on, Titus left there 8. Thus, Titus written sometime between 60-67 CE; most likely near the end of that period C. Audience 1. Titus, Paul's "true child in a common faith" (Titus 1:4) 2. Titus, an uncircumcised Gentile, went up to Jerusalem with Paul, not compelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:1-3; cf. Acts 15, ca. 50 CE) 3. Titus the one sent by Paul to Corinth, came back to him refreshed (2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:6-14, 8:6, 16, 23, 12:18; ca. 59 CE) 4. At the time of the writing of 2 Timothy, Titus is in Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10) 5. Presently in Crete, having been sent there by Paul (Titus 1:5) D. Purpose 1. To provide Titus with instructions about setting things in order, appointing elders, exhorting Christians 2. To exhort Christians to faithful conduct III. Titus: The Story A. Setting Things in Order (Titus 1) 1. Paul, servant of God, apostle of Jesus, for sake of faith of God's elect, their knowledge of the truth, in accord with godliness, in hope of eternal life; this hope God, who never lies, promised before beginning of time, manifested it in proper time in his word and through preaching; Paul entrusted with preaching by command of God; writing to Titus, true child in common faith; grace and peace from God and Christ (Titus 1:1-4) 2. Paul left Titus in Crete to put what remained into order, appoint elders in every town as directed; elders to be above reproach, husband of one wife; children as believers, not open to charge of debauchery or insubordination; overseer, a steward of God, must be above reproach, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not drunkard, not violent, not greedy; hospitable, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined; holding firm to trustworthy word as taught, able to teach sound doctrine, rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1:5-9) 3. Many, especially among the "circumcision," who are insubordinate, empty talkers, deceivers; they must be silenced, upsetting whole families, teaching for shameful gain what ought not be taught; a Cretan "prophet" (Epimenides) calls Cretans liars, beasts, gluttons; his testimony true; Titus to rebuke them sharply to be sound in faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and commands of people turning away from truth; to pure, all is pure; to defiled and unbelieving, nothing pure, minds and consciences defiled; they profess to know God, but deny him by their works; detestable, disobedient, unfit for good work (Titus 1:10-16) B. Sound Doctrine (Titus 2) 1. Titus to teach what accords with sound doctrine; older men to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, steadfastness; older women to be reverent, not slanderers, not slaves to wine; older women to teach what is good, the younger women to love husbands and children, self-control, purity, home economics, kindness, submission to husbands, so word of God not reviled; young men to be self-controlled (Titus 2:1-7) 2. Titus himself to be a model of good works, showing integrity and dignity in teaching, using sound speech unable to be condemned, so opponents will be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about us (Titus 2:8) 3. Slaves to be submissive to their own masters in everything; well-pleasing, not argumentative; not pilfering, but showing good faith; in all things to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior (Titus 2:9-10) 4. Grace of God has appeared: brings salvation for all people, trains believers to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, to live self-controlled, godly, upright lives in this age; believers as waiting for blessed hope, appearance of glory of God and Savior Jesus Christ; Christ as giving himself for us, redeeming us from lawlessness and purifying for Himself a people for His possession, zealous for good works; Titus to declare these things, exhorting and rebuking with all authority, not disregarded by any (Titus 2:11-15) C. Christian Conduct (Titus 3) 1. Titus to remind believers to be submissive to rulers and authorities; obedient; ready for good works; not to speak evil of any; avoid quarreling; be gentle; show courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:1-2) 2. Believers once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to passions and pleasures, malicious, envious, hated and hating; God's goodness and lovingkindness appeared, He saved believers, not on basis of works in "righteousness," but through washing of regeneration, renewal of Holy Spirit; Spirit poured out richly on believers through Jesus our Savior; believers as justified by God's grace, believers as heirs according to hope of eternal life; saying as trustworthy, and Titus to insist on them, so believers may devote themselves to good works; these things as excellent and profitable (Titus 3:3-8) 3. Titus to avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, quarrels about law; such are unproductive and worthless; as for people stirring up divisions, after warning him twice, have no more to do with them; such a one is warped and sinful, self-condemned (Titus 3:9-11) 4. Paul will send Artemas or Tychicus to Titus; Titus should then go to Nicopolis, where he is wintering; Titus to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, lacking nothing; let Christians learn to devote themselves to good works, help cases of urgent need, not be unfruitful (Titus 3:12-14) 5. All with Paul send greetings; Titus to greet those who love them in the faith; grace to all (Titus 3:15) IV. Titus: Christology and Theology A. God does not lie; promised eternal life to believers before time began; manifested promise in Christ at proper time, proclaimed in word and in preaching (Titus 1:2-3) B. God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 1:4) C. God our Savior (Titus 2:10) D. Jesus Christ, God and Savior; will appear in glory; gave Himself for believers for their redemption, purification (Titus 2:13-14) E. God brings salvation by grace, in His lovingkindness, goodness, and mercy, not by works done in righteousness (Titus 3:4-5) F. Holy Spirit poured out richly on believers through Christ (Titus 3:6) V. Titus: The Kingdom A. Believers should come to knowledge of truth in faith in accord with godliness; hope is in eternal life (Titus 1:1-3) B. Elders (Titus 1:5-9) 1. Men who serve as overseers 2. Must be above reproach-- married, children as believers 3. Must reflect fruit of Spirit, not works of the flesh 4. Must understand the truth, able to teach it and refute error C. Believers to be sound in faith, not devoting themselves to myths of false teachers, especially of Judaism (Titus 1:10-16) D. Christians expected to exhibit certain behaviors (Titus 2:1-10) 1. Older Christian men should reflect dignity and self-control 2. Older Christian women to exhibit reverence, competent to instruct younger women; must be those who practice what they teach 3. Younger Christians to be self-controlled 4. Christian slaves to be submissive to masters, conducting themselves honorably E. Believers not to be ungodly, living by worldly passions (Titus 2:12) F. Believers to live as self-controlled, upright, and godly; zealous for good works (Titus 2:12, 15) G. Conduct of believers to be exemplary-- obedient, courteous, well-speaking, full of good works, gentle-- for believers once in sin, God redeemed them in love (Titus 3:1-8) F. Constant exhortation for believers to be involved in good works, helping in times of need, not unfruitful (Titus 3:8, 14) VI. Titus: The Work of the Evangelist A. Appointing elders in churches based on qualifications (Titus 1:5-9) B. Rebuking believers to be sound in faith, not swerving to serve false myths, commands of false teachers (Titus 1:10-15) C. Teaching sound doctrine in age and life appropriate ways (Titus 2:1-6) D. Presenting in himself an example to believers in conduct, in ways of teaching, in speech used (Titus 2:8) E. Declaring God's redemption and purpose in Jesus Christ; exhorting and rebuking with authority; is not to be disregarded (Titus 2:15) F. Insisting on our collective story of salvation: lost in sin, not redeemed by our own efforts, undeserving recipients of grace and mercy, so that believers will live according to grace and mercy and be full of good works (Titus 3:3-8) G. Avoiding profitless controversies about the law; warning divisive Christians to desist twice, then have nothing more to do with such people (Titus 3:9-11) H. Emphasizing doing good works, help in urgent need, not be unfruitful (Titus 3:14) VI. Titus: Conclusion A. Thus we have Paul's letter to Titus B. A letter from a mentor and teacher to his "child" in the faith 1. Directing Titus in his work as an evangelist 2. Through that direction, exhorting believers to faithfulness, good works C. Let us be devoted to good works, serving the Lord, and remain faithful! D. Invitation/songbook