Among other things he finished the Colosseum (begun by Vespasian), and built the baths which bear his name. Whether Titus accompanied Paul during all these journeys cannot be ascertained. At Corinth Titus seems also to have assisted in organizing the weekly collections for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Salem Media Group. 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). 1:2 ), had become a beloved disciple (1:4) and . 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. Paul's action therefore in regard to Titus was justified. For Titus 2:1-10, see 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2 above.) II, 11). He did not require his disciples to be circumcised, but if the situation called for working among Jews and it made things easier, he would concede to it. Paul's many journeys are well documented and show that he wrote to Titus from Nicopolis in Epirus. This is the first resurrection. 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 . Although the data regarding Titus in the NT is scanty, nevertheless much can be learned from his pastoral activities and the letter addressed to him as a model and manual for a pastor. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. . 10. 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. What are you doing, son of my womb? V According to Paul, elders must live blamelessly, to be good husbands with children who are also Christians, and to be both generous and hospitable. 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. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 2 Timothy 4, which Paul wrote shortly before he died as his final message to Timothy, mentions that Titus had gone to the Roman province of Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10). The apostle held him in great respect and fondness, referring to him as: Mine own son after the common faith (1:4). 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. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. It appears that Titus was dealing with a difficult and somewhat unruly congregation in Crete. All rights reserved. W "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". Final words regarding the saints of God, the Son of God, and the undershepherd of God (Titus), 1. Attempts to read or insert the name Titus into the Acts of the Apostles are not convincing. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. So little is known about him that no one can positively state where he made his home, but most scholars feel it was in Philippi. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Other scholars, while conceding a degree of validity to the positions mentioned above, suggest that the . James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 1. Who? 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. This is essentially an ethnic joke, an example of Paul using slightly off-color humor. Therefore we are comforted. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. He is later sent by Paul to Corinth to straighten out certain disorders in the church there and to initiate an offering for the poor saints at Jerusalem (2 Cor. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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. In the interval between the two, he and Titus were together in Crete. Titus is instructed to come to Nicopolis on the W coast of Greece (Titus 3:12) to spend the winter there with Paul. Crete: a large island south of Greece where Paul had assigned Titus as pastor of the local church there, 2. In other words, since God poured out His grace on all humanity, He cleanses His people from their sin and purifies believers for Himself. 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. It does not appear to be a question here of where Paul lodged, but where he preached. The words of King Lemuel. The church as a whole is exhorted to submit to authorities and avoid fighting and foolish discussions (Titus 3:9). Likewise, no good explanation has been given to account for the absence of Titus from the Acts of the Apostles. and Codex Angelicus (L9th cent.) The Judaistic party in the church at Jerusalem desired to have Titus circumcised, but Paul gave no subjection to these persons and to their wishes, "no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you" (Galatians 2:5). We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 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? 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. And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. Titus was the only Gentile individual to receive a New Testament epistle. Advice to the people in the pews and the pastor in the pulpit, 3. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. If people still do not repent after the second warning, then Titus should have nothing more to do with them (Titus 3:10). Titus would seem on the occasion of the council to have been specially a representative of the church of the uncircumcision. 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. To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. My spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. It is found in Mt. Make doctrine a priority in your own life, as well as encouraging it in your churches. Such abundance and prosperity are holy and pleasing to God. The epistle contains some exhortations to Titus, although none of these reflects negatively on his character or ability. From the notices in this Epistle it appears that Titus had been sent by Paul, along with an unnamed "brother," to Corinth as the apostle's delegate to the church there (2Corinthians 12:18). Please note, our website requires JavaScript to be supported. I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. <> indicates that the letter was written from Philippi and delivered by () Titus and Luke. 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. It was an island of 100 cities, consist-ing of mountains, but also very fertile valleys. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? It can be safely assumed that all these references refer to the same individual. 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. Right living was essential because Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, saving us by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 2:14; 3:5). All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. K Apparently, Titus was successful in this mission (Rom 15:26) and the following spring Paul went to Jerusalem with this offering (Rom 15:25). These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. 2. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 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. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Since Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile (Galatians 2:3), his presence as Pauls disciple cut to the heart of this discussion. 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. ( Titus 3:12 ) and then is to hasten to join St. Paul at Nicopolis, where the apostle purposes to pass the winter. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? elders to oversee the doctrinal purity and good conduct of the believers on Crete. Titus, like Timothy, was one of Pauls preacher boys.. Both Timothy and Titus served as Pauls messengers and traveling companions, and they both went on to lead churches. TITUS t ts (, G5519). And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Slaves are exhorted to be trustworthy and obedient. They must not only teach sound teaching but also oppose false teaching and show the mistakes being made. 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.. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. 8:16-23); he is the recipient of this letter. We find him, at a later period, with Paul and Timothy at Ephesus, whence he was sent by Paul to Corinth for the purpose of getting the contributions of the church there in behalf of the poor saints at Jerusalem sent forward ( 2Corinthians 8:6 ; 12:18 ). Titus first appears in the sacred account when he accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem (Gal. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 3. The last notice of him is in 2Timothy 4:10 , where we find him with Paul at Rome during his second imprisonment. Asthe letter goes on, it transitions through several subjects: Character requirements for being an elder (Titus 1:1-9). 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. He died of fever on September 13, a few years later. He was then dispatched to Corinth, Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community there with Paul, its founder. Paul not only calls these people foolish, but he also warns Titus that they are worthless for doing anything good (Titus 1:15). 4. However, Paul wasnt above making points in a risqu way if the situation called for it. The origin of Pauls relationship with Titus is shrouded in mystery, though we can gather that he may have been converted under the ministry of Paul, who called Titus my true child in a common faith (1:4). Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Then the Lord said to Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you. So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. 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). 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. 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). He rejoined the apostle when he was in Macedonia, and cheered him with the tidings he brought from Corinth ( 7:6-15 ). He was the darling of the populace, good looking, affable to everyone. 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). 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. 5 0 obj The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Gal 2:3) who was an intimate associate of Paul and an effective pastor (2 Cor 8:23; 12:18). 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. After that he must be released for a little while. The three pastoral epistles may be favorably compared. They place their hope not in things working out now, but in the day that Jesus will reveal himself to humanity. Titus contains two of the most concise summaries in the entire New Testament regarding the relationship of gospel truth to practical living. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. Freedom and glory in Christ (Titus 2:11-15, 3:3-8). He is very emphatically spoken of as a Gentile by which is most probably meant that both his parents were Gentiles. It can be safely assumed that all these references refer to the same individual. women, young men, and slavesas well as general instructions to all believers about their conduct. 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). Answer In the New Testament, a bishop is a person who functions as a teaching leader among a local group of Christians. of The island of Crete, located in the Mediterranean Sea: Was 156 miles long. >=a+d0- Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Labs "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am going to set My face against . God bless Chuck, God bless Insight For Living. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. The Greek term episkapos has also been translated as "episcopal," "elder," " overseer ," or "pastor." All refer to the same office and are therefore synonyms. . 1:4 He may have been from Antioch in Syria. In Macedonia Titus brings to Paul a comforting report about the Corinthians which gives him much joy and peace of mind (2 Cor 7:6-14). But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. The futility of heresy (Titus 1:10-16, 3:9-11). Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 2 Corinthians 7 establishes that Titus was sent to the Corinthian church after Paul had sent them a stern letter (2 Corinthians 7:8-10) and to encourage them to embrace the ministry of giving (2 Corinthians 8:6). St. Pauls first imprisonment is concluded, and his last trial is impending. This includes sections on appropriate conduct in worship gatherings, the qualifications of elders and deacons, and the proper order of church discipline. The probability is that Titus, who had long been associated with Paul (Galatians 2:3), who, as his commissioner, had executed difficult offices in Corinth (2Corinthians 7-9), and who, not very long before 2 Timothy was written, had completed some missionary work in Crete that had been begun by others, had gone as a missionary and as Paul's representative and helper to Dalmatia. Destruction Of Jerusalem. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. 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! He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.