Author and Audience:
Titus was a Greek convert and a faithful fellow laborer with Paul in spreading the gospel and organizing the Church. The book of Titus was written by Paul and addressed “to Titus, mine own son after the common faith”.
Historical Background:
Sometime after being released from his first Roman imprisonment, Paul visited the island of Crete with Titus. Paul was unable to remain on the island, so he left Titus there to set the Church in order. Paul’s letter, written to strengthen and encourage Titus, provides definite instructions about the duties of those who minister in the Church. Specifically, the Apostle warns Titus to beware of false ministers and doctrines. He also speaks about the character and conduct befitting one who is called to priesthood leadership. This letter was written approximately A.D. 64.
Theme:
Like Timothy, Titus had a difficult assignment. The main challenge that confronted him and the new leaders he would appoint lay in ensuring that the doctrine remained pure among the new members. Like so many other congregations of Saints, the branch in Crete was ravaged with false teachers and doctrines. Some of them were “unruly . . . teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake”. Paul encouraged Titus to be vigilant in sustaining the faith, to appoint strong and appropriate leaders, and to teach the Saints the way to salvation.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“Titus is the epistle of obedience. Writing in his old age, Paul seems increasingly impressed by the Spirit to counsel his beloved Titus, and through him all the saints, of the overpowering need to walk in paths of truth and righteousness. . . .
“Titus is written to and for the saints. It is a sermon of practical exhortation to those in the fold, a common sense approach to the problem of living in the world without being of the world”.
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:119)
Chapters 1-2
• Why is it unpleasant to be in the presence of someone who is critical and irritable?
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Titus 1:10–14
• What do you think it was like for him to teach the gospel to these people?
• What would it be like to be their priesthood leader?
• How important would it be to befriend them?
• How would you do it?
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Titus 3:10–11
• What did Paul mean by “reject”?
• Is there a time when we should reject the association of an individual?
When? Why?
We may not be able to change many of the people around us, but we can resist their worldly influences and improve ourselves.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:11–15
• What has the Savior done that enables us to change?
• What blessings come to those who work at changing their lives?
Chapter 3