Langstaff Gospel Hall – Wednesday Night Bible Studies – June 2015
Titus
BR1 Overview of Titus
Titus 1 - 3
Having considered the two epistles to Timothy, attention is now directed to another trusted and loyal
fellow-labourer of Paul and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Chronologically, Paul’s letter to Titus was
likely written between the writings of I Timothy and II Timothy. In particular, Paul’s letter is directed
towards assembly conduct and it is applied directly to assemblies on the Mediterranean island of Crete.
Though Paul visited the island on at least two occasions, it is likely that the gospel was first introduced
to Crete from Cretans that were saved in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). As such, a
testimony was eventually established on an island that had a reputation for immorality and dishonesty.
Crete is a great example of God’s matchless grace and mercy to a sinful race and stands as a
testament to Paul’s letter to the Romans where he writes, “But where sin abounded, grace did much
more abound” (Rom. 5:20).
Authorship
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The apostle Paul likely wrote this epistle following his first imprisonment (ie. Paul appeared to
be free to preach and travel as evident in his writings to Titus).
Recipient
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Paul’s faithful and loyal son in the faith (Titus) is the intended recipient of this epistle.
Titus was likely saved through the apostle and was mightily used by God in a number of areas
(i.e. Antioch, Jerusalem, Corinth, Crete, and Dalmatia).
In 70 A.D., Titus, the son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian, completed the battle of Jerusalem
and destroyed the temple. It is this Titus that became emperor and was responsible for
dedicating the coliseum, where many Christians would eventually lose their lives. The world had
its Titus, but God had His Titus as well. The Emperor Titus had his name written in the history
books, God’s Titus was written in the Book of Life and in the Word of God (MacArthur). The
Emperor Titus reigned for 2 years over Rome. God’s Titus will reign with Him for Eternity.
Character Traits
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Like Timothy, Titus was young, gifted, and loved by Paul. However, there are several
differences between both of these dedicated and hard working Christians. Timothy was half
Jewish and half Gentile while Titus was a Gentile with no Jewish ties. Timothy endured
circumcision to be better suited to work with the Jews while Titus was used to confront this
Jewish tradition among Christian circles. Timothy had a retiring disposition while Titus
appeared to be more confident, bold, and able to lead and instruct in difficult circumstances.
How can a person’s personality be utilized and maximized for the work of God?
Are spiritual gifts seen in a Christian’s personality or are these two elements independent of
each other?
Message
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There
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are three parties that Paul aims to instruct in this epistle:
Titus – Paul uses this epistle to strengthen and encourage his son in the faith.
Elders – Paul directs those responsible for leading the assemblies in Crete
Christians – Paul directs those living in Crete to live soberly and faithfully for God
Langstaff Gospel Hall – Wednesday Night Bible Studies – June 2015
Titus
Themes
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The major themes of the epistle could be summarized by ‘4Es’: Elders, Error, Exercise, and
Exhortation
Chapter 1 – Focuses on the qualification of elders (i.e. personal character and conduct).
Chapter 2 – Focuses on the character and conduct of all Christians
Chapter 3 – Focuses on the character and conduct of elders and Christians before the
unbelieving world in order to evangelize and witness to the lost.
Why did Paul write to both Timothy and Titus on the subject of Elders? Was this a subject of
concern for Paul at this time or was this an ongoing concern that Paul wanted to share with two
sons in the faith?
Bible Readings
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BR2
BR3
BR4
BR5
BR6
BR7
BR8
BR9
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Salutation/Elders in the Assembly (Ch 1 vs. 1-9)
False Teaching/Error in the Assembly (Ch 1 vs. 10-16)
Sound Doctrine/Exercise of Brethren in the Assembly (Ch 2 vs. 1-8)
Exercise of Sisters/Servants in the Assembly (Ch 2 vs. 3-10)
Exercise of Christians in the Assembly (Ch 2 vs. 11-15)
Exercise of Christians living in the World (Ch 3 vs. 1-2)
The Biography of a Christian (Ch 3 vs. 3-7)
Conclusion/Christian Ambitions (Ch 3 vs. 8-15)