(Timothy is similarly described in 1 Tim 1:2.) Both Timothy and Titus served as Pauls messengers and traveling companions, and they both went on to lead churches. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Paul not only calls these people foolish, but he also warns Titus that they are worthless for doing anything good (Titus 1:15). Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. Paul exhorts older men to live livesworthy of respect, to have patience and love. Titus carried 2 Corinthians to the Corinthian church (2 Cor. And to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect. The churches on Crete were just as susceptible to false teachers as any other church, so Paul directed Titus to establish a group of faithful Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. Q % In this letter, Paul reminds Titus . Paul reflects very favorably upon Titus genuine devotion and pastoral concern (2 Cor 8:16, 17). But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. Such were Paul's plans; whether they were carried out is unknown. 8:16-23); he is the recipient of this letter. By expelling the hated informers, and doing away with trials and executions for treason, he gained the favor of the Senate, and thus that body did not oppose his actions. Which appears to be a theme of the Bible: Gen 2:8-9; Titus 1:2-3; Rv 22:2. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 7. See 1Corinthians 16:1,2 compared with 2Corinthians 8:6: "We exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.". Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Paul reminds him of the character of the people of Crete, and gives him various instructions for his guidance; charges him to maintain sound doctrine, and advises him how to deal with the various classes of persons met with in his pastoral capacity. However, Titus effectiveness with the Corinthians might suggest some prior personal contact with them, although Luke is rather definite in recording Pauls companions in Greece, and Paul even stresses that he was alone for a time in Athens (1 Thess 3:1). Sometimes it is difficult for believers today to see the point of getting all worked up about the person and nature of Christ or the doctrine of the Trinity. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. He seems to have accompanied Paul during the third missionary trip. But the God of my father has been with me. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Apparently Titus was a convert of Paul. Titus, like Timothy ( 2 Tim. xqyZeb4G-q[ n5O rSD Pe;UFD@hv{=Ul _>~fgxn}9~,['>lR,mjO|3-|Ai=;8F{e_og%4@_>lxvTk,36-_o^?26GJgx{g?|?/~/o> 0xG?~LSouk!lPgPoGC->|yEa:TcVZ/_y=08JtQ#e~[C-T~omfUSdcr[V At this time he was working in Crete. On one level, this shows that elders need to have sound character, and family is often the best indicator of how a person really behaves. Christians were once slaves to their sins, but God saved them, and they have been taught to turn away from godless living (Titus 2:12). He is first mentioned as accompanying Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1-3; Acts 14:26-28; 15:1-4) for this . Among other things he finished the Colosseum (begun by Vespasian), and built the baths which bear his name. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. According to Titus 1:5, Paul had left Titus at Crete to appoint elders for the church there. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ( Titus 1:5 ) We see Titus remaining in the island when St. Paul left it and receiving there a letter written to him by the apostle. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. Who Was Titus in the Bible and Why Should You Read His Book Now. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. 3. The child of God is to protect the gospel in 1 Timothy. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. However, his letter from Paul gives us some valuable insights, both about the early church and about following Christ today. ( Titus 1:4 ) Next we learn the various particulars of the responsible duties which he had to discharge. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Only when God the Son took on human flesh in the person of Jesus was the believers faith in God made sure. Although he is not mentioned in the book of Acts, he could be one of the "other believers" of Acts 15:2. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NASB) 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue . Titus, accompanied by two Christian brothers, was the bearer of 2 Corinthians ( 2Co 8:23) and was given the responsibility for making final arrangements for . There is still room to turn around. Was up to 30 miles wide. The most prominent cities in the early Roman period were Gortyn (the administrative capital, known for its celebrated "Gortyn Code," a set of classical codified laws), Knossos (a Roman colony most likely established by Augustus famous for its Bronze Age palace), and the less-explored Eleutherna, Hierapytna, and Kydonia. But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 3. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.. He says that elders must show people who oppose sound teaching where they are wrong (Titus 1:9), describes the point of rebuking them as to make them strong in the faith (Titus 1:13), to give people creating disturbances two chances (Titus 2:10). Sometimes shock-value is whats necessary. He died of fever on September 13, a few years later. It appears that Titus was dealing with a difficult and somewhat unruly congregation in Crete. After various attempts to deal with these problems by correspondence and a personal visit, Paul sent Titus to attempt a reconciliation and resolution of the difficulties. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He is also to look for the arrival in Crete of Artemas and Tychicus, ch. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.. As Paul calls him "my true child after a common faith" (Titus 1:4), it is probable that he was one of the apostle's converts. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 4:10, at which time Paul sends him from southern Greece to Dalmatia (Yugoslavia). Vesuvius erupted and completely destroyed the two towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, covering the former with a shower of hot ashes and pumice, the latter with a river of lava. Paul advised Timothy on these practical matters in a way that . He sends him back from Macedonia to Corinth, in company with two other trustworthy Christians, bearing the Second Epistle, and with an earnest request, ibid. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. This late testimony does fit with the givens of 2 Corinthians. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity; or if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean wild animal or a carcass of unclean livestock or a carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him and he has become unclean, and he realizes his guilt; or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort the uncleanness may be with which one becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realizes his guilt; or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth. And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. After the departure of Titus from Corinth, difficulty had again arisen in the church there, and Titus seems to have been sent by Paul a second time to that city, as the apostle's messenger, carrying a letter from him--referred to in 2Corinthians 2:3; 7:8. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. If it is the visit of Acts 15 (preferable identification in the light of Pauline chronology), Titus contact with Paul was at least before the second missionary journey. All are pastoral letters. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. These things can come from internal or external influences, and they can cause a Christian to backslide. The title in the Greek NT literally reads "To Titus.". One of the Pastoral Epistles is addressed to Titus. As already noted, the book of Titus has much to say concerning the believers works, mentioning the subject on six occasions: 15. In 2020, he won First Prize for Best Feature Story in a regional contest by the Colorado Press Association Network. Thence.Clearly from the synagogue, where he had been preaching to the Jews, not from Aquila's house, as Alford and others. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. He says that Crescens has gone to Thessalonica, Titus to Dalmatia. The modern capital, Candia , appears to claim the honor of being his burial-place. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. This includes sections on appropriate conduct in worship gatherings, the qualifications of elders and deacons, and the proper order of church discipline. B Titus was a young Christian pastor, a missionary and companion, and a disciple of Paul the Apostle. Recently on our podcast, Charlotte Clay, our director of Marketing and Communications, and Dr. Jeff Kloha, our chief curatorial officer, interviewed Dr. Steven Fine, director of the Center for Israel Studies at Yeshiva University, an expert in the history of Judaism and the lead curator for The Samaritans: A Biblical People, an exhibition featured at Museum of the Bible from September 16, 2022 . 1:13) would, following his conversion (Acts 9:3-9), become the greatest missionary, church planter, soul winner, and theologian in church history, authoring nearly half of the New Testament books! Titus is informed that Artemas or Tychicus will be sent to Crete so that he will be free to leave the island and to rejoin the apostle at Nicopolis, where he has determined to winter. Proud member In Crete, he is to complete what St. Paul had been obliged to leave unfinished, ch. Paul had assigned Titus to strengthen a previously established church work on the Isle of Crete. He then meets Paul in Macedonia and is sent back to Corinth carrying the epistle of 2 Corinthians to pave the way for Pauls coming and to complete their offering (2 Cor. 13. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. He does something similar in Galatians 5 when he talks about problems created by circumcisers and says, I wish the people who are bothering you would castrate themselves (Galatians 5:12). The decision was in favor of the free promulgation of the gospel, as preached by Paul, and unrestricted by Jewish ordinances. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. G Did Titus take advantage of you? In 2 Timothy 4:10, written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he mentions Titus as one of several people who have left him. Likewise, no good explanation has been given to account for the absence of Titus from the Acts of the Apostles. It is to our purpose to remark that, in the passage cited above, Titus is so mentioned as apparently to imply that he had become personally known to the Galatian Christians. 2:3, 12-13; 7:5-6, 13-14; 8:16-17, 23; 12:14, 18). In fact Titus was a representative or test case. L Having described how the church should act, Paul gives the grace of God as the reason for them to behave this way. Titus: Working for Good Deeds Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project. He restores my soul. The "certain other of them" includes Titus, for in Galatians 2:3 it is recorded that Titus was then with Paul. When describing heretics, Paul references a quote about Cretans being liars, crazy animals, and lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12-13) to show how foolish these heretics are. Make doctrine a priority in your own life, as well as encouraging it in your churches. 12. He said to have been permanent bishop in the island, and to have died there at an advanced age. What happened to Titus after that is not known, although according tosome Catholic sources he founded a church there in the city of Salona and died in 65 A.D. Paul had assigned Titus to strengthen a previously established church work on the Isle of Crete. This is the last reference to Titus in the NT. David said to him, Where do you come from? And he said to him, I have escaped from the camp of Israel. And David said to him, How did it go? So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. An eyewitness account of this event may be found in two letters written by Pliny to his friend Tacitus, the historian (Pliny, Epistulae, VI.16.20). J Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Paul's letter to Titus is the final Pastoral Epistle and has many similarities to 1 and 2 Timothy. 2 Corinthians 8:18 Save 15% on BibleGateway+ for a limited time! 1915. So, Pauls choice to circumcise Timothy would suggest that he had a pragmatic side. From the form of the whole sentence, it seems probable that this disciple had been with St. Paul in Rome during his final imprisonment; but this cannot be asserted confidently. Titus was one of Paul's very dear and trusted friends; and the fact that he was chosen by the apostle to act as his delegate to Corinth, to transact difficult and delicate work in the church there, and that he did this oftener than once, and did it thoroughly and successfully, shows that Titus was not merely a good but a most capable man, tactful and resourceful and skillful in the handling of men and of affairs. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Titus 1:1-16 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. To overview the duties of leaders and laity in a local church. Whether Titus ever ministered to Jewish believers is not stated, and both he and Titus worked at churches in Gentile areas (Timothy in Ephesus, Titus in Crete, and Corinth and Dalmatia). Paul substantiates his devotion to the Corinthians by arguing that he was of the same mind and attitude as Titus (12:18). And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. of Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. I pray that I could absorb all that, live it and teach it. Galatians 2 mentions that Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, apparently the trip mentioned in Acts 15 where they went to the Council at Jerusalem to debate whether Christians had to be circumcised. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Advice to the people in the pews and the pastor in the pulpit, 3. 1, 2 Timothy are more personal; Titus is more official. The Bible records, after Timothy was ordained to serve by Paul and church brethren (1Timothy 4:14, 2Timothy 1:6), he ministered in at least five New Testament churches (1Thessalonians 3:1 - 2, 1Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:19 - 22, Acts 17:14 and 1Timothy 1:3). Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. "Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and fellow-worker to you-ward" (2Corinthians 8:23). Destruction Of Jerusalem. Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostle's release from his first Roman imprisonment. "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am going to set My face against . 1:2 ), had become a beloved disciple (1:4) and . The state of the Corinthian church had been causing much anxiety to Paul, so much so that when he had come to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to him of the Lord, he found no rest in his spirit, because he found not Titus, his brother; so he left Troas, and went thence into Macedonia, in order to meet Titus the sooner, so as to ascertain from him how matters stood in Corinth. The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons, The Greatest Villain - King Nebuchadnezzar. W From the references in the Pauline epistles it appears that Titus was an uncircumcised Gr. 2:11). Both emphasize good works as the visible proof of saving faith. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Photo credit: Getty Images/Seven Stock Studio. The absence of the name from the Acts of the Apostles complicates precise integration into Lukes account of Pauls missionary activity. Geocoding A quick reading reveals three concentrated chapters filled with authoritative language and blunt commands. Paul counsels him in his dealings with both church leaders and lay people alike, reminding all involved to live godly lives in light of Jesus soon return. Your browser does not support JavaScript. 9. After Paul's release from prison in Rome, Timothy and Paul traveled to visit friends in the churches they had founded. Titus joy and devoted concern was an inspiration to Paul in his reconciliation with the Corinthians (7:13-15). The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. The traditional connection of Titus with Crete is much more specific and constant, though here again we cannot be certain of the facts. . Titus contains two of the most concise summaries in the entire New Testament regarding the relationship of gospel truth to practical living. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Answer In the New Testament, a bishop is a person who functions as a teaching leader among a local group of Christians. II, 11). Paul mentions that Titus must appoint elders in each town, which means there were multiple Christian groups (what we would think of as house churches), although they might collectively be referred to as the church in Crete. When they got to Ephesus, Paul recognized some men in the church were teaching error about Jesus saying that Jesus could not have been a man and God at the same time. In the year 80 there was a plague and disastrous fire at Rome. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. 5 0 obj . Y Titus is a short book that packs a punch. The matter in dispute was decided as recorded in Acts 15:13-29. If people still do not repent after the second warning, then Titus should have nothing more to do with them (Titus 3:10). 1. Who? First Timothy 3:1-7 contains the biblical qualifications for a pastor: "Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. I Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered them, See that no one leads you astray. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ch. Our materials for the biography of this companion of St. Paul must be drawn entirely from the notices of him in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, the Galatians, and to Titus himself, combined with the Second Epistle to Timothy. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. From Rome he was sent into Dalmatia, no doubt on some important missionary errand. The decision was in favor of the free promulgation of the gospel, as preached by Paul, and unrestricted by Jewish ordinances. Blog, A And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Assuming this information is correct, and given the fact that many early Christians were martyred (John was the only one of the apostles to die of old age), its possible that Titus died by martyrdom. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. women, young men, and slavesas well as general instructions to all believers about their conduct. %PDF-1.3 Paul not only mentored them, but he also advised them in individual letters about their next steps. Three summaries of the incarnation dot the pages of Titus, providing a framework within which the Christian can view the work of God in the world and in individual lives (Titus 1:14; 2:1114; 3:47). What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. of Jewish history. Paul asked Titus to meet him at Nicopolis (see map, p. 2487) when a replacement arrived (see 3:12 and note). His legacy also includes a military record marked by the betrayal of his peers and capitulation to the Romans. There is now a long interval in the history of Titus, for nothing further is recorded of him till we come to the Pastoral Epistles. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? In simple but sublime terms this epistle explains just how grace and works fit together. Ultimately, this council determined that Christians did not need to be circumcised, but laid out some basic moral rules that Christians had to follow (Acts 15:22-30). Since Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile ( Galatians 2:3 ), his presence as Paul's disciple cut to the heart of this discussion. Older women are encouraged to avoid slander or excessive drinking and must encourage younger women to be good wives and mothers. R The last notice of him is in 2Timothy 4:10 , where we find him with Paul at Rome during his second imprisonment. Paul's action therefore in regard to Titus was justified. Like someone above pointed out, the word "teaching" should mean teaching generally, not an academic . ( 2Corinthians 8:6 ) A considerable interval now elapses before we come upon the next notices of this disciple. Apparently Paul and Titus agreed to meet in Troas. Second passage: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not 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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (3:4-7).
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