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New Testament Notes
The Epistle to Titus
The following notes are intended to supplement, not replace, the readings from the Bible and the text book.
Comments or questions should be sent to: Dr. Rollinson.
Titus
Paul wrote this letter to Titus at about the same time as he wrote the first letter to Timothy, ca. AD 63 or 66-67. Both letters were written to encourage Timothy and Titus in their ministries. The two letters have many similarities : Timothy was in charge of a Church where there was false teaching and immorality that had to be dealt with, while Titus was faced with a group who were probably not completely honest and truthful (see Titus 1:12), who tended to get caught up in Jewish mysticism, and who were also prone to false teaching.
Titus was a friend and companion of Paul. He was a Gentile, who accompanied Paul to the Council in Jerusalem when the question was discussed as to whether or not Gentiles had to become Jews and be circumcised before they could become Christians - see Galatians 2:1-3. He also visited Corinth to help deal with the problems the Church there had encountered - see 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 & 13-16; 8:16-24. When Paul and his companions visited Crete and founded Churches there, Titus stayed on to help the new Christians and to train then to become teachers and leaders.
Titus 1:4 - Titus had probably become a Christian through meeting and hearing Paul, so Paul regarded him as a spiritual son
Titus 1:7 - The Greek word translated "bishop" means someone who has oversight of a group of people. He is to look after them and take responsibility for them
Titus 1:11 - Pagan philosophers taught for money or other worldly gains, and it seems that some of the members of the Cretan church were doing likewise.
Titus 1:12 - "All Cretans are liars" was said by an ancient Cretan philosopher, Epimenides, ca. 500 BC
Titus 3:12 - Nicopolis was a town on the west coast of Greece. This is the only mention in the Bible of Paul visiting Nicopolis. The Book of Acts ends with Paul in prison in Rome. It may be that Paul was released and made missionary journeys to more places, traditionally Spain as well as Crete, before being arrested again and eventually executed in Rome.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
