The Epistle to Titus is one of the three pastoral epistles in the New Testament, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul. This letter is addressed to Titus, a trusted companion and fellow worker in the ministry.
Authorship and Date[]
Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter, referring to himself as a “bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ”.[1] The letter is believed to have been written around AD 63, after Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment.
Purpose and Themes[]
Paul wrote this epistle to provide guidance to Titus, who was left in Crete to organize and oversee the churches there. The primary purpose of the letter is to instruct Titus on appointing elders, combating false teachings, and promoting sound doctrine and good works among the believers.
The key themes of the Epistle to Titus include:
- Sound Doctrine: Paul emphasizes the importance of teaching sound doctrine and refuting false teachings.[2]
- Church Leadership: Instructions are given on the qualifications and duties of elders and overseers.[3]
- Christian Living: Paul provides practical advice on how believers should live, stressing the connection between faith and good works.[4]
- God’s Grace: The letter highlights the grace of God that brings salvation and teaches believers to live godly lives.[5]
In the Epistle to Titus, Paul provides detailed instructions on the qualifications of elders:
- An elder must be above reproach in their conduct.[6]
- They should be the husband of one wife.[6]
- Their children should be believers and not open to the charge of being wild or disobedient.[6]
- Elders must not be overbearing, quick-tempered, given to drunkenness, violent, or pursuing dishonest gain. Instead, they should be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.[7]
- They must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.[8]
Structure[]
The epistle is divided into three chapters:
- Chapter 1: Paul’s greeting and instructions on appointing elders.
- Chapter 2: Instructions on teaching sound doctrine and proper conduct for different groups within the church.
- Chapter 3: Reminders for believers to live godly lives and avoid divisive behavior.
Significance[]
The Epistle to Titus is significant for its practical guidance on church leadership and Christian living. It underscores the importance of maintaining doctrinal purity and living out one’s faith through good works, reflecting the transformative power of God’s grace.