The book of Titus
Author
- Some scholars say Paul wrote the letter, and other scholars believe a follower of Paul wrote the letter.
Place and Time of Writing
- The place is unknown. As with I Timothy, we do not know where Paul traveled after he was released from house arrest.
- 63
Unique Characteristics
- One of the Pastoral Epistles.
- Repeats much of the same information that is included in I Timothy.
Audience
- Titus
- He traveled much with Paul and was one of his chief assistants; for example, Titus is mentioned ten times in II Corinthians.
- Titus was with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem, which occurred approximately thirteen years earlier.
- Paul was with Titus in Crete and then Paul left Crete. But he left Titus there so Titus could continue working to solve their problems.
Theme
- Instructions for a church leader leading house churches with problems.
- Note, the house churches in Crete did not have problems like the problems of the house churches in Corinth; instead, their problems were mainly church administration (how to run a church) problems.
More details about Titus
Why did Paul write the letter?
- After Paul was released from house arrest in Rome, we aren't sure where he traveled to. But we do know he traveled to Crete. According to this letter, he traveled to the island of Crete with Titus and then left, but he left Titus behind to help handle problems that the house churches still struggled with.
- 1:5: "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you."
- The overall purpose or reason for Paul writing this letter is perplexing. It covers much of the same information as I Timothy. It is easy to understand why Paul wrote I Timothy: Timothy was a young man who was a pastor probably for the first time, and he needed a general instruction manual. But Titus had traveled with Paul for many years and most likely already understood the instructions that Paul included in this letter. He probably did not need to be reminded of them. Therefore, Paul may have sent this letter to Titus as a "stamp of approval" on what Titus was trying to do. The letter shows that the house churches had much dissension, and perhaps this letter gave Titus more legitimacy among the house churches since it was from Paul.
Paul discusses the qualifications of different church leaders in this letter. The vast majority of churches today use one of four different leadership styles. Go here to learn about these four.
Comparing I Timothy and Titus
- Both letters have basically the same theme: they are both church leadership manuals.
- Differences
- Timothy was a young pastor who Paul was discipling; Titus was probably a middle-aged man who had traveled with Paul for over ten years.
- Timothy was not having problems; Titus was having problems.
Verses from the letter of Titus
- 2:11, 12: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."
- 3:9, 10: "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him."
Outline
- 1:1-4: Greetings
- 1:5-16: Choosing leaders and warning about rebellious church members
- 2: Instructions on leading different groups of people
- 3:1-8: Reminder of the example set by Jesus
- 3:9-11: How to resolve issues with rebellious church members
- 3:12-15: Closing remarks
Quiz
Choose an answer for each question, then select Grade my quiz. Your answers and the explanations will be shown with your grade.
Timeline up to the book of Titus
Dates are approximate.
| Year | Event |
| 63 B.C. | Romans conquer Israel. |
| 27 B.C. | Pax Romana began and lasted until A.D. 180. |
| 4 B.C. | Jesus born. |
| All dates after this are A.D. | |
| 27 | Jesus baptized. |
| 30 | Jesus was crucified, buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Apostles travel to Jerusalem and choose Matthias to replace Judas as an Apostle. Day of Pentecost: Peter assumes leadership of Christianity. |
| 30-50 | Peter was leader of Christianity. |
| 33 | Jesus appeared to Paul and Paul became a Christian. |
| 48-50 | Paul's First Missionary Trip. |
| 50 | Council of Jerusalem; Paul became one of the main Christian leaders. |
| 50-55 | Paul's Second Missionary Trip. |
| 51-53 | Galatians, I & II Thessalonians, and I & II Corinthians written. |
| 55-60 | Paul's Third Missionary Trip. |
| 55 | Romans written. |
| 60-62 | Paul arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome. Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome. |
| 62-63 | (Not in Acts) Paul probably released from prison during this time. |
| 63-65 | (Not in Acts) Paul probably traveled. He may have gone to Spain. |
| 63 | I Timothy and Titus written. |
| 64 | Fire in Rome and Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero. |
| 65 | II Timothy written. (Not in Acts)Paul back in Rome; he and Peter arrested and martyred: Peter crucified upside down and Paul beheaded. |
| 67 | Gospel of Mark written. |
| 70 | Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans (it has not been rebuilt). |
| 80 | Gospels of Matthew and Luke written. |
| 90 | Gospel of John and book of Acts written. |
| 95 | Christians persecuted by Emperor Domitian; Apostle John exiled on island of Patmos where he wrote Revelation. |
| 96 | Emperor Domitian died; Apostle John probably moved to Ephesus. |
| 100 | Apostle John died; he was the last Apostle to die. |
| 390's | New Testament canon "closed" at Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). |
| 1200's | Chapters added to the New Testament. |
| 1500's | Verses added to the New Testament. |
©2016 Mark Nickens