Titus Summary

CHAPTER 1:

1:1

Paul begins his second pastoral epistle (after Timothy) with an introduction of himself. He begins with the highest priority possible saying he is a servant of God. He is next an apostle of Jesus Christ and this is according to the faith of those who have been chosen of God, and then by the understanding of the truth (meaning the gospel) which follows godliness.

Paul is appealing to the faith of those who are saved and in this moment is not necessarily discussing the actual doctrine of election. He makes his understanding of the doctrine strongly clear in Romans 9:11:

(”For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.”)

1:2-3

Paul reminds Titus that he is making these statements in the hope of eternal life which God (who cannot lie) promised before the world began. The symbol of that understanding is found in the Revelation when Jesus appears to John as a lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This promise is manifested by preaching of the gospel which has been given to Paul by God. The phrase “due time” means God has proclaimed the time of the arrival of His begotten Son who brought the gospel to earth from heaven.

1:4

Paul advises the direction of this reminder as it is clearly meant to be targeted to Titus, his own from the grace, mercy, and peace from both the Father and the Son.

CHAPTER 2:

If a church does not teach sound doctrine then it is not a church. In the first chapter we were told elders are to exhort the faithful and refute the heretics and now the focus is upon teaching the Word of God.

2:1-6

Paul uses the phrase “sound doctrine” over and over to mean the doctrine of the apostles. Mature men (elders) are to be sober (serious), grave (strong in faith), temperate (level minded), sound in faith and charity (love), and in patience. Mature women are to have similar aspects of character and they are to exhibit holiness and not be given to much wine, be teachers of good things to other women (meaning younger women). They are to be modest and keeper of the home, obedient to their husbands, and be sure the word of God not be blasphemed.

Young men are also warned to be sober minded, meaning to be serious concerning the gospel.

2:11-12

Paul places a foundation under the lives of all these people mentioned and that foundation is to be doctrine, hearing, understanding, teaching, and living the gospel of Christ. In order to assure this foundation is secure, the church must preach the grace of God and no other gospel. Paul reminds these members that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared (shown forth) to all. That grace teaches us that we who are children of God are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and thereby to live righteously and godly as long as we remain in the present world.

CHAPTER 3:

The letter reveals for us the summary of God’s wishes for His churches. As we began the letter we saw that God wanted His church to be orderly and in sound doctrine, and only after those commands are given God then commands His churches to perform good works.

3:1-7

Members are to be law abiding people, aware of the laws of the land and being obedient to man’s law unless it conflicts with the duty of the church to be obedient to the higher priority which is God’s commands. Church members are to be subject to the principalities and powers in civil government. This potential conflict must always be settled on the side of obedience to God’s commands. Peter was direct on this issue in Acts 5:29:

“We ought to obey God rather than man.”

His response was over the issue of Jewish spiritual rulers insisting that the disciples preach no more in the name of Jesus Christ.

This legal obedience to man is to be done in gentle meekness, speaking no evil. Members are to recall that at one time they themselves were sinfully chasing various lusts and living in hate in their own hearts. The humble kindness of Jesus Himself overcame them and caused the change that resulted in the conversion of members. The mercy of Jesus saved members and renewed them under the work of the Holy Ghost. This process is known as regeneration and brings justification by His grace according to the hope promised of eternal life.

Titus was appointed by Paul later to return to Corinth and complete the process of gathering donations to alleviate the poverty of the church at Jerusalem (2nd Cor 8:6). Here Titus glorified God and showed the good will of the mainly gentile churches that contributed (2 Cor 8:19). He had learned his lessons well.