When and by whom the gospel was first preached at Crete is not known. It may have been by Paul himself after his release from his two years' imprisonment at Rome. When otherwise could he have left Titus at Crete? (Titus 1:55For this cause left 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 1:5))
The inhabitants were remarkable for their evil habits. It had been publicly pointed out by others besides the saying of their own prophet or poet quoted in verse 12.
Among those gathered by the gospel were Jews as well as Gentiles. (Ver. 10.)
In few words, the epistle may be said to be the maintenance of order in the church and the principles on which it is founded.
There is no proof that Titus was permanently settled at Crete. Paul requests him to leave when other laborers were sent. (Titus 3:1212When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. (Titus 3:12).) In the subscription it is only the later MSS that say anything about Titus being “bishop of Crete.”
From whence the epistle was sent is not known. Its date may be about A.D. 67.
Titus 1:1-41Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 1:1‑4).
Paul, servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's elect, and knowledge of the truth which is according to piety; in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages of time, but manifested, in its due season, His word through preaching which was committed to Paul—to Titus, his own son in the faith, grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:5-145For this cause left 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: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:5‑14). Paul had left Titus in Crete, 1, to set things in order which were still unordered; and, 2, to establish elders in each city (also called “bishops”, or overseers, in ver. 7). The qualifications for such an office are then detailed.
There were many deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped: they subverted whole houses, and taught for base gain.
One of themselves (the Cretans) had said, "The Cretans are always liars, wild beasts, lazy gluttons."
This was true of them nationally: therefore Titus was to rebuke them sharply, that they might be sound in the faith, avoiding Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth.
Such profess to know God, but in works deny Him; they are abominable, disobedient, and as to every good work worthless.
Titus 2:1-101But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (Titus 2:1‑10).
Titus was to speak things that became sound teaching, with suited exhortations to elder men, to elder women, to young women, and to young men: Titus himself being in all things a pattern of good works, and his teaching such that could not be condemned.
Servants were also exhorted to a consistent walk, so as to adorn the teaching of our Savior-God in all things.
Verses 11-15. For the grace of God that carries salvation for all men has appeared, teaching us what to deny, and how to live; and to await the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us and to purify to Himself a peculiar people zealous for good works.
These things Titus was to teach, and where needed he was to rebuke with all authority. (Verses 11-15 give a summary of Christianity as a practical reality for man.)
Titus 3:1-71Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. 3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:1‑7).
Titus was to put them in mind to obey the powers that be, with divers other exhortations.
We were once characterized by ungodliness, but when the kindness and love to man of our Savior-God appeared, not on the principle of works, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration (the cleansing in connection with the new order of things, cf. Matt. 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)), and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Savior (we are not only born of the Holy Ghost, as in John 3, but He works in us, communicating to us all that is ours in Christ): we become heirs according to the hope of eternal life, having been justified by His grace.
Titus 3:8-158This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. <<It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.>> (Titus 3:8‑15). Titus was to insist on good works being maintained by the believers; but unprofitable questions were to be avoided.
He was to have done with a heretical man after a first and second admonition.
Personal instructions follow, and salutations, and the benediction.