The Strand Study Bible

TITUS

Author: Paul Theme: The Work of a Good Pastor

About the Author: Paul, whose name means “little,” was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5), and a native of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia (Acts 21:39 & 22:3). Also called Saul, Paul inherited the rights of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) because his father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). At the age of perhaps thirteen (Acts 26:4-5), Paul was sent to Jerusalem and there became a student of orthodox Judaism under Gamaliel, a teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). Paul is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 where we find him consenting to the death of Stephen. His fanatical devotion to Judaism and his extreme hatred for Christianity made him the acknowledged leader of the Christian persecution. The spread of Christianity forced Paul to travel far and wide for his victims. Armed with authority from the High Priest, Paul journeyed toward Damascus where he had heard there were many Christians. It was while he was approaching that city that his wonderful conversion took place (c. AD 37 - Acts 9:3-6). For the next thirty years (from c. AD 37 to 67), until his death, Paul would go on three missionary journeys and face two Roman imprisonments. He would write thirteen epistles (fourteen, if you count Hebrews) and become known as the preacher to the Gentiles. About the Book: Paul’s purpose in writing this epistle to Pastor Titus was two-fold: 1. To instruct Titus concerning church order 2. To exhort Titus to preach sound doctrine Titus was written from Macedonia (c. AD 64), during Paul’s Release From House Arrest In Rome Helpful Background: Titus, a Greek (Gal 2:3), was a personal convert of Paul’s (Titus 1:4). He accompanied Paul and others to Jerusalem in AD 50 to discuss the matter of Gentile believers being circumcised (Gal 2:1-3 and Acts 15:1-3). Although we find no mention of Titus in the book of Acts, we can trace his contribution to Paul as a co-laborer from certain epistles (II Cor 2:13, II Tim 4:10 and Gal 2:1-3). In AD 57 during Paul’s three-year work at Ephesus (while on his Third Missionary Journey), Paul sent Titus to Corinth, in order to collect money for the poor saints in Jerusalem (II Cor 12:17-18). Paul had hoped to meet Titus at Troas (II Cor 2:12-13), but ended up meeting him at Philippi (in Macedonia) instead (II Cor 7:5-6). From there, Paul sent Titus back to Corinth with his second letter ( II Corinthians ) (II Cor 8:6-23). Eventually Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to pastor and ordain elders. Some time later Paul apparently sent Titus to Yugoslavia (Dalmatia) (II Tim 4:10). Notes of Interest: 1. There are no OT quotations or characters found in Titus . 2. Prophecies are referred to 1 time in Titus . 3. There is 1 inset map used in the book of Titus . It is numbered chronologically (#71). Outline of Titus : 1. The qualifications for pastors (Titus 1) 2. The need to preach sound doctrine (Titus 2-3) Titus 1 1 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; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, 1 that cannot lie, 2 promised 3 before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me 4 according to the commandment of 5 GODOUR SAVIOUR ; 7 For a 9 bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, 10 not given to wine, no striker, 11 not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 1:4 Notice the progression: grace, mercy, then peace (II Jn 3). In order to find the peace of God, one must first discover the grace and mercy of God ( Gen 6:8 ). 1:6-7 One of the main requirements for being a pastor is that a man be found blameless (without reproach; the absence of even a charge or accusation against a person; not open to censure; faultless - I Tim 3:2). According to Proverbs 6:32-33, any man who commits adultery not only dishonors himself, but if he is a pastor, he dishonors the office of pastor, and automatically disqualifies himself of ever pastoring again. 2046 1. Num 23:19 & I Sam 15:29 2. Mt 25:34 & Rev 13:8 3. that is, “before time eternal” - Rom 16:25-26 & II Tim 1:9 & Eph 1:4 & Rev 13:8 4. Acts 9:15-16 5. Lk 1:47 & 2:11 & Titus 1:4 & 2:10,13 & 3:4,6 6. II Cor 2:13 & 7:5- 7,13-14 & 8:6,16-17, 23 & 12:18 & Gal 2:1-3 & II Tim 4:10 7. I Tim 3:2 8. I Tim 3:4 9. or, “pastor; shepherd” 10. Lev 10:9 11. I Sam 8:1-3 4 6 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 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: 6 If any be blameless, 7 the husband of one wife, 8 having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. A good pastor will fulfill the qualifications of his office Date Written - c. AD 64