Titus

Why this book was written

Paul wrote to his fellow worker Titus to help him organize the churches on Crete by appointing elders, correcting false teaching, and instructing believers of every age group to live in line with the gospel, so that God's Word would not be reviled and the gospel would be honored among all people.

Structure

1. 1:1–4Greeting and Mission
2. 1:5–16Appointing Elders and Silencing False Teachers
3. 2:1–15Godly Living in Line with Sound Doctrine
4. 3:1–15Good Works and the Hope of Eternal Life

Key verses

• 1:1Paul describes himself as a servant and apostle bringing about the faith of God's elect that agrees with godliness.
• 1:9An elder must hold firm to the trustworthy message, able to encourage with sound teaching and refute those who oppose it.
• 2:1Titus must teach what accords with sound doctrine, setting the standard for the church's life.
• 2:11–14God's grace has appeared, training us to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, godly lives while we wait for the appearing of our Savior.
• 2:15Titus is to speak, encourage, and rebuke with all authority, letting no one disregard him.
• 3:1–2Believers are to be subject to authorities, ready for every good work, and gentle toward everyone.
• God saved us not by our righteous deeds but by His mercy, through washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit, justifying us by grace.
• 3:14Our people must learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet pressing needs and not be unfruitful.

Major themes

How it points to Christ

Titus exalts Jesus Christ as our great God and Savior (2:13), who gave Himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession (2:14). The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation through rebirth, washing, and renewal by the Holy Spirit, making us His people as we await our blessed hope—the appearing of His glory (2:11-13, 3:4-7). The book presents Christ as the foundation of the church, the Redeemer, and the focus of the believer's hope.

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People in this book

Questions for reflection

• ·Am I living a godly life that matches sound doctrine? Is my faith consistent with my conduct? (Titus 2:1-14)
• ·Am I guarding sound doctrine in the church and gently resisting those who trouble the faith with false teaching? (Titus 1:10-16, 3:9-11)
• ·Do I truly understand and experience God's grace in Christ—redemption, rebirth, and the hope of eternal life? (Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7)
• ·Am I showing humility, gentleness, and peace in my work, relationships, and ministry, so that I am a good witness? (Titus 3:1-2)
• ·Am I devoted to doing good works, so that my life becomes a channel through which others may know Christ? (Titus 3:8, 3:14)