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TITUS: A CONDUCT MANUAL FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

Writer: The Apostle Paul. An uncomplicated three-chapter book of just 46 total verses.
Written to: Titus, one of Paul's closest and trusted friends (1:4) about the time between Paul's two Rome imprisonments, 63 AD.
Setting: Crete, an island 156 mi long and up to 30 mi wide set in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Greece.

Who was Titus?

A young Greek pastor, one of Paul’s converts (1:4).

Probably from Antioch.

A young man of strong Christian convictions.

Titus was with Paul when Paul called down Peter re: his hypocrisy (Gal 2:1-16).

Accompanied Paul on his 3rd missionary journey (1:5).

Paul spoke of Titus as his brother (2 Cor. 2:13) and partner

(2 Cor. 8:23).

Paul lauded Titus' strength of character, conduct, and integrity

(2 Cor. 7:13-15 and 2 Cor. 12:17,18).

Paul thanked God for Titus' diligence (2 Cor. 8:16,17).

Paul had time only to spread the Gospel, but not evangelize in the cities of Crete while en route to Rome (Acts 27:7-21).

Paul left Titus in Crete after their organization of the church.

Cretian churches were probably started by those Cretians who were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11).

Titus had to stress the need for righteousness and the misleading and divisive nature of false teachers (1:10-16).

Titus was given a big responsibility and role by Paul:

Replacing immoral behavior with God's deeds.

Refuting false teachers and dissenters.

Instituting proper Christ approved elders.

Titus was instructed to set up an orderly church with competent leaders and willing followers (1:5-9).

To appoint elders in every city:

blameless, husband of one wife, having faithful and obedient children.

To appoint overseers (Bishops):

blameless, not overbearing, not quick tempered,

not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain, hospitable, loving what is good, self controlled, upright, holy and disciplined, and must hold firmly to and preach God’s message.

Titus was instructed to watch out for deceivers and to silence them, rebuking them sharply (1:10-16).

Titus was to teach sound doctrine (2:1-10; 3:1,2).

To older men: be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

To older women: be reverent in their way of living, be not slanderers, not addicted to much wine.

To younger women: The older women were to instruct the younger women to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy in their homes, be kind, and be subject to their husbands.

To young men: be self-controlled, set a good example, and in teaching to show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech.

To slaves: be subject to and try to please their masters, not to talk back to them nor steal from them to show they can be completely trusted.

To all: be subject to and obey their rulers and authorities, do whatever is good, slander no one, be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

Paul instructed Titus to stress the importance of good works, but to emphasize we are saved UNTO good works not BY them (3:4-8).

Stress that sound doctrine requires right living (2:1-15).

Show a pattern of good works (2:7).

Be zealous for good works (2:14).

Be ready for every good work (3:1).

Affirm constantly to maintain good works (3:14).

Paul speaks of the sort of life all Christians must live before the world (3:8-11), and explains that heretics who refuse sound doctrine are already 'self-condemned' (3:11).

Paul closes his letter to Titus with some personal remarks and a farewell (3:12-15).

LESSONS FROM TITUS:

1) Our deeds either defend or deny our doctrine (1:16). Our lives are our doctrine on display.

2) Grace elevates godliness; it doesn’t cheapen it (2:11,12).

Grace is a gift from God.

Right behavior must be founded on right doctrine.

When we walk in grace, we grow in godliness.

3) God’s kindness toward us, and His love for us changes the way we act (3:4-8).

Out of our gratitude we respond to God by doing what is good.

Our trust in God will come to expression in our behavior.

WE NEED TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, EXCELLENT AND PROFITABLE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD, FOR WHEN WE LIVE THAT KIND OF LIFE WE SHOW THAT OUR BELIEF IS MORE THAN JUST THEORETICAL THEOLOGY… IT IS LIFE TRANSFORMING FAITH!

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