13. In many respects Titus appears in the NT as an ideal pastor. Whether Titus accompanied Paul during all these journeys cannot be ascertained. On three different occasion Paul sent Titus to Corinth. How to designate church leaders; how to deal with church legalists, 2. 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 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). Geocoding For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turnfighting without and fear within. Titus thus may have had the most challenging congregation in all the Bible! The Cretans were relatives of the Philistines. Who Was Titus in the Bible? - Christianity.com In Crete, he is to complete what St. Paul had been obliged to leave unfinished, ch. Some believe he may have been the brother of Luke. 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 . ch. And so train the young women to love their husbands and children. 4:8; Titus 3:8), Regarding our future reign with Christ (2 Tim. Paul exhorted Titus to speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1), a clear direction that this should be the young pastors primary role. 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. Paul not only calls these people foolish, but he also warns Titus that they are worthless for doing anything good (Titus 1:15). 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 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). And God separated the light from the darkness. Young men are encouraged to live wisely (something that Titus, being a young man himself, must be careful to model to them). 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. 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. Titus was a young Christian pastor, a missionary and companion, and a disciple of Paul the Apostle. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. TITUS t ts (Titus Flavius Vespasianus). Titus was therefore a troubleshooter, peacemaker, administrator, and missionary. The absence of the name from the Acts of the Apostles complicates precise integration into Lukes account of Pauls missionary activity. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. In Macedonia accordingly the apostle met Titus, who brought good news regarding the Corinthians. Titus was written between A.D. 62-64, while Paul ministered to Macedonian churches between his first and second Roman imprisonments, from either Corinth or Nicopolis (cf. And sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 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. 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. 2:1). Nicopolis: a city where Paul proposed to spend the winter and where he invited Titus to join him. 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 . Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostle's release from his first Roman imprisonment. Paul reflects very favorably upon Titus genuine devotion and pastoral concern (2 Cor 8:16, 17). The book of Titus reminds us that our beliefs about God impact every decision we make. He seems to have accompanied Paul during the third missionary trip. Titus 1:1-16 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. The words of King Lemuel. Here he expected to meet Titus, ( 2Corinthians 2:13 ) who had been sent on a mission to Corinth. Paul substantiates his devotion to the Corinthians by arguing that he was of the same mind and attitude as Titus (12:18). New International Version (NIV). It does not appear to be a question here of where Paul lodged, but where he preached. Titus first appears in the sacred account when he accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem (Gal. From this letter we gather the following biographical details. 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. Did we not take the same steps? 1:4 He may have been from Antioch in Syria. 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. His legacy also includes a military record marked by the betrayal of his peers and capitulation to the Romans. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. This is the last reference to Titus in the NT. This late testimony does fit with the givens of 2 Corinthians. Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostles release from his first Roman imprisonment. I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go. Then they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. What is Titus in the Bible? 1. Who? But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 11, the restless and mischievous Judaizers. 8. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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. "Entry for 'TITUS'". Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Since Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile (Galatians 2:3), his presence as Pauls disciple cut to the heart of this discussion. Crete: a large island south of Greece where Paul had assigned Titus as pastor of the local church there, 2. According to Paul, elders must live blamelessly, to be good husbands with children who are also Christians, and to be both generous and hospitable. 6. What does Paul mean by "sound doctrine" in Titus 2:1 From Rome he was sent into Dalmatia, no doubt on some important missionary errand. But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 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. 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. This is an interesting point, since Timothy was half-Greek, and not circumcised either. God bless Chuck, God bless Insight For Living. He also describes Titus as my true child in a common faith (1:4). 4. Such were Paul's plans; whether they were carried out is unknown. 12. 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). For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. honourable, was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, and accompanied them to the council at Jerusalem ( Galatians 2:1-3 ; Acts 15:2 ), although his name nowhere occurs in the Acts of the Apostles. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. To overview the duties of leaders and laity in a local church. The Greek term episkapos has also been translated as "episcopal," "elder," " overseer ," or "pastor." All refer to the same office and are therefore synonyms. 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). Save 15% on BibleGateway+ for a limited time! 35 Bible verses about Destruction Of Jerusalem - Knowing Jesus 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. I also receive Insight [for Today] daily. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 2 Corinthians 2:13 Commentaries: I had no rest for my spirit, not He is also to look for the arrival in Crete of Artemas and Tychicus, ch. After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. 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. Book of Titus Overview - Insight for Living Ministries elders to oversee the doctrinal purity and good conduct of the believers on Crete. . What are you doing, son of my vows? 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. Paul not only mentored them, but he also advised them in individual letters about their next steps. In some Bibles a subscription to the epistle may show that Paul wrote from Nicopolis in Macedonia. Though it is not certain, some scholars believe that he and Titus were brothers, based on II Corinthians 8:18. % 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). ti'-tus (Titos (2Corinthians 2:13; 7:6,13; 8:6,16,23; 12:18; Galatians 1:2:1,3; 2Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:4)): A Greek Christian, one of Paul's intimate friends, his companion in some of his apostolic journeys, and one of his assistants in Christian work. 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. 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?