It is unknown when Titus joined Paul in his mission activity. New International Version (NIV). The decision was in favor of the free promulgation of the gospel, as preached by Paul, and unrestricted by Jewish ordinances. A quick reading reveals three concentrated chapters filled with authoritative language and blunt commands. Paul had assigned Titus to strengthen a previously established church work on the Isle of Crete. 1. And while the form of a churchs worship is vital to reaching its community for Christ, without a firm base of sound doctrine, the church will lay its foundation in shifting and sinking sand. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. The Cretans were relatives of the Philistines. The first notice of Titus is in Acts 15:2, where we read that after the conclusion of Paul's 1st missionary journey, when he had returned to Antioch, a discussion arose in the church there, in regard to the question whether it was necessary that Gentile Christians should be circumcised and should keep the Jewish Law. The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons, The Greatest Villain - King Nebuchadnezzar. 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 Titus 1:5 - For 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: 2 Corinthians 7:6 - Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast . ( Titus 3:12 ) and then is to hasten to join St. Paul at Nicopolis, where the apostle purposes to pass the winter. of Paul. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. Its certainly wrong to talk in a malicious way (1 Peter 2:1) and Paul warns elsewhere about avoiding filthy jokes (Ephesians 5:4). This epistle marks the last of but two instances where the great theological word regeneration is used in the New Testament. Paul clearly held Titus in a position of great respect as a friend and fellow worker for the gospel, praising Titus for his affection, his earnestness, and his bringing comfort to others. The origin of the church there is unknown, but may have been started by the same returning Cretans who were present at Pentecost (see Acts 2:11). When and where? The decision was in favor of the free promulgation of the gospel, as preached by Paul, and unrestricted by Jewish ordinances. elders to oversee the doctrinal purity and good conduct of the believers on Crete. Who Was Titus in the Bible and Why Should You Read His Book Now. Geocoding Among other things he finished the Colosseum (begun by Vespasian), and built the baths which bear his name. To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. These scattered allusions to the character of Titus indicate his close relationship to Paul and his stellar qualifications as a pastor. 7. First Timothy presents the most explicit and complete instructions for church leadership and organization in the entire Bible. The futility of heresy (Titus 1:10-16, 3:9-11). Written in A.D. 64 from Asia Minor. For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. Slaves are exhorted to be trustworthy and obedient. This throws light upon the statement in 2Timothy 4:10, that Titus at that time had gone to Dalmatia, and a certain Crescens to Gaul. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. 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). My spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. 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. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. When Paul arrived in Troas, he did not find Titus (2 Cor 2:13). His chief business was evidently to deal with the cases of immorality which had occurred there. They place their trust not in whether they will be treated well in this life, but in the eternal promise of salvation. At the time of the writing of 1 Timothy Titus had departed to Dalmatia, apparently from Rome (2 Tim 4:10). Although there were promising opportunities for mission work in Troas, Pauls concern about Corinth and Titus led him to proceed to Macedonia (obviously there was a pre-arranged travel routeeither by sea or landto obviate the possibility of by-passing one another). Apparently Paul and Titus agreed to meet in Troas. - Sort By Book Order. Not only will people be saved from their sins, but Gods grace will also motivate them to live out that saving faith with renewed and purified lives. We have no record of his death. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword. But the king of Egypt said to them, Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Titus, like Timothy ( 2 Tim. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. 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. In either case it would be a question why they went to these particular countries, with which, so far as we know, Paul, up to this time, had never had anything to do. From the references in the Pauline epistles it appears that Titus was an uncircumcised Gr. What is Titus in the Bible? Paul highlights how some foolish people at the Cretan church fool others with useless talk (Titus 1:10) about circumcision, spiritual genealogies, and following Jewish laws that Christians dont have to follow. After Paul's release from prison in Rome, Timothy and Paul traveled to visit friends in the churches they had founded. This is an interesting point, since Timothy was half-Greek, and not circumcised either. It was an island of 100 cities, consist-ing of mountains, but also very fertile valleys. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. ( Titus 1:4 ) Next we learn the various particulars of the responsible duties which he had to discharge. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Salem Media Group. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. TopicalBible They are to teach what is good. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope. D Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. He is also to look for the arrival in Crete of Artemas and Tychicus, ch. The all-too-common phenomenon of pastors kids not following their parents faith and its becoming clear that their parents were emotionally absent proves this in a very sad way. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. He rejoined the apostle when he was in Macedonia, and cheered him with the tidings he brought from Corinth ( 7:6-15 ). Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. So, Pauls choice to circumcise Timothy would suggest that he had a pragmatic side. All rights reserved. This testimony is true. He was probably a convert of Paul (Titus 1:4). St. Pauls first imprisonment is concluded, and his last trial is impending. 11, the restless and mischievous Judaizers. But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. Sign up to receive e-mail from Insight for Living Ministries. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Your browser does not support JavaScript. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. 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. 12. Having described how the church should act, Paul gives the grace of God as the reason for them to behave this way. Y The traditional connection of Titus with Crete is much more specific and constant, though here again we cannot be certain of the facts. In Galatians 2, Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem, where he and Barnabas confront the Judiazers about requiring Gentiles to be circumcised as well as being baptized. Listen to Chuck Swindolls overview of Titus in his audio message from the Classic series Gods Masterwork. He is very emphatically spoken of as a Gentile by which is most probably meant that both his parents were Gentiles. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 3. All are pastoral letters. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Even the women in the church may have had problems with alcohol (see 2:3). For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 19:28 where it refers to mother nature. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Church leaders may put on a good face at work, but their behavior at home and how their children respond to them speaks volumes. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Paul reports that on his visit to Jerusalem after fourteen years (2:1) Titus accompanied him and Barnabas. According to the Bible, a person who reads and meditates over God's word is like a watered tree that will bear good fruit when the time is right. These things can come from internal or external influences, and they can cause a Christian to backslide. Titus is mentioned 13 rimes in the writings of Paul. All rights reserved. There is also one more "rule" mentioned by the Apostle Paul with regard to teaching. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness. But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 2:1). This grace of God instructs us to live upright and godly lives in this present age (2:113:8). And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. He was then dispatched to Corinth, Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community there with Paul, its founder. At the time of this visit the issue of circumcision had become crucial, and Paul cites the fact that Titus was not compelled to be circumcised as vindication of his position. Likewise, no good explanation has been given to account for the absence of Titus from the Acts of the Apostles. The Greek term episkapos has also been translated as "episcopal," "elder," " overseer ," or "pastor." All refer to the same office and are therefore synonyms. Salem Media Group. I am a pastor in Kenya. Some suggest that this visit is to be identified with the famine-relief visit in Acts 11 and 12 (e.g., Bruce); others, with the Jerusalem Council visit in Acts 15 (e.g., Ridderbos). On another level, this shows that elders must be people who dont just do Gods work in public, but also preach it at home. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Titus was therefore a troubleshooter, peacemaker, administrator, and missionary. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The child of God is to protect the gospel in 1 Timothy. Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Titus thus may have had the most challenging congregation in all the Bible! However, Paul also understood that when a body of believers embraces sound doctrine, the result is changed and purified lives that produce good deeds (mentioned in Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14). and T.R. 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. Hes one of those figures who doesnt play a huge part in the main story, mostly getting mentioned in the letter Paul wrote to him and a few times in Pauls other letters. E 2. Older women are encouraged to avoid slander or excessive drinking and must encourage younger women to be good wives and mothers. W Titus accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey, during which the apostle sent him to Corinth at least once (2 Corinthians 2:1213; 7:57, 1315; 8:6, 1624). And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. The women should keep silent in the churches. It can be safely assumed that all these references refer to the same individual. It does not appear to be a question here of where Paul lodged, but where he preached. Which appears to be a theme of the Bible: Gen 2:8-9; Titus 1:2-3; Rv 22:2. Titus may be the person who delivered the 2 Corinthians letter to the Corinthian church after he wrote it. ( 2Corinthians 8:6 ) A considerable interval now elapses before we come upon the next notices of this disciple. Asthe letter goes on, it transitions through several subjects: Character requirements for being an elder (Titus 1:1-9). But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. 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 said to have been permanent bishop in the island, and to have died there at an advanced age. 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. The reign of Titus was looked upon as a time of ideal happiness, and his untimely death in the year 81 caused universal sorrow. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. In any case, nothing is recorded concerning Titus mission work until the third missionary journey shortly after Pauls lengthy stay at Ephesus (Acts 19:1, 17, 26, 35). The epistle contains some exhortations to Titus, although none of these reflects negatively on his character or ability. Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? He appears to have been a Gentile, and to have been chiefly engaged in ministering to Gentiles; for Paul sternly refused to have him circumcised, inasmuch as in his case the cause of gospel liberty was at stake. Titus contains two of the most concise summaries in the entire New Testament regarding the relationship of gospel truth to practical living. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? "Entry for 'TITUS'". Many churches today focus more on the form of their worshipmusic styles, lighting, and building designsthan they do on the content of the faith they mean to proclaim. R Since Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile (Galatians 2:3), his presence as Pauls disciple cut to the heart of this discussion. The earliest reference to Titus is found in Galatians 2:1, 3. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 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). In this Epistle his name occurs 8 times. Titus is a short book that packs a punch. Paul's many journeys are well documented and show that he wrote to Titus from Nicopolis in Epirus. In other words, since God poured out His grace on all humanity, He cleanses His people from their sin and purifies believers for Himself. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, Why have you returned? After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. Titus joy and devoted concern was an inspiration to Paul in his reconciliation with the Corinthians (7:13-15). 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. Paul wasn't messing around when he wrote this letter to Titus, a Greek follower of Jesus who helped Paul navigate tight situations (see Galatians 2:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 7-8). 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. Proud member Answer In the New Testament, a bishop is a person who functions as a teaching leader among a local group of Christians. From Crete, Paul proceeded onward but he left Titus to "set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city" (Titus 1:5) . 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. The "certain other of them" includes Titus, for in Galatians 2:3 it is recorded that Titus was then with Paul. 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 As a commander in the Jewish revolt, Josephus attempted to persuade his companions to open the gates of Yodfat for the Romans, and when the city fell, he reneged on the group . For 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 (1:5). women, young men, and slavesas well as general instructions to all believers about their conduct. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. I use Pastor Chuck Swindoll's books a lot: Moses, David, Joseph, Esther, Hand Me Another Brick. 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. I Verse 7. Titus was later left on the island of Crete to help organize the Church there, and later met back with the Apostle Paul in Nicopolis. Apparently Titus was a convert of Paul. His mission was largely successful, so that he was able to return to Paul with joy, because his spirit was refreshed by the Corinthians (2Corinthians 7:13). Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
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