Paul’s Epistle to Titus, like those to Timothy, is addressed to an individual. In all three the subject matter is godly order. Likewise, each brings before us a Saviour God. However, whereas the Epistles to Timothy are occupied with the maintenance of sound doctrine and the internal condition of the assembly, the Epistle to Titus is concerned with that which is outward—our conduct as seen by the world. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to set in order the things that remained and to establish elders in every city (Titus 1:5). As a people, the Cretans were known for their unruly behavior, a fact attested to by one of their own poets (Titus 1:12).
Outline
“Paul, 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; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:1, 2). A true Christian is not an adherent of a religion; he is one of God’s elect. His walk is to be an open acknowledgement of the truth; he lives in hope of eternal life, a life that takes us beyond this world.
In chapter 1, Titus (in contrast to Timothy) is explicitly charged to establish elders (overseers; vs 7) in every city, appropriate characteristics for whom are given (Titus 1:6-9). It was important that an overseer could, by sound doctrine, exhort and convince the gainsayers. There were many unruly and vain talkers, deceivers, particularly among the Jews, that subverted the people, teaching things that they ought not, for base gain (Titus 1:10, 11).
In the second chapter, we have our conduct in personal relationships: the aged men, the aged women, the young women, and the young men—of which Titus was to be a pattern. Servants (bondmen) are exhorted “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10).
It is the grace that saves that provides the foundation for the Christian walk, not law. Furthermore, we know that Christ Himself will appear in all His glory—our Saviour “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13, 14). In these verses we have the foundation, the walk, and the hope of every believer (Titus 2:11-14).
In chapter 3, we have the Christian’s conduct in this world, especially before those in authority (Titus 3:1). They were not to speak evil of any man, nor to be contentious, but gentle, showing meekness. They had been saved out of that which they were formally, not because of their own works of righteousness, but through the kindness and love of a Saviour God. We should act towards others as God has acted towards us. The Christian has a new life that acts in the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:2-7).
Foolish questions, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law were to be shunned as unprofitable and vain (Titus 3:9). When a man chooses his own opinions over the Word of truth, causing division, he is a heretic and is to be rejected after a first and second admonition (Titus 3:10).
It was not the Apostle’s intent that Titus should remain on Crete. Paul would send Artemas or Tychicus to him, at which time he was to come to Paul at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).