Titus

The Book of Titus is the last of the three "Pastoral Epistles," written by the Apostle Paul to his trusted coworker, Titus. Titus was left on the island of Crete—an ancient society known for its dishonesty and moral laxity—to bring organization and order to the newly planted and struggling churches there.

Paul wrote this short letter to provide Titus with the authority and the practical instructions needed to install proper leadership and to ensure the believers’ conduct would adorn the doctrine of the Gospel. The central theme is that true faith must be authenticated by good works.

I. The Mandate to Establish Order (Chapter 1)

Paul immediately charges Titus with his primary task: setting up qualified, godly leadership in every city. This was crucial due to the corrupting influence of the Cretan culture and the presence of false teachers.

• Qualifications for Elders: The requirements for elders are very similar to those in 1 Timothy, focusing heavily on proven moral character and the ability to “give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9). The spiritual health of the church is directly linked to the godliness of its leaders.

• The Cretan Problem: Paul quotes a famous Cretan prophet to underscore the difficulty of Titus’s task: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12). Titus must be severe in his rebukes to combat this ingrained immorality.

II. Godly Conduct and Sound Doctrine (Chapter 2)

Paul provides specific, practical instructions for every major group within the church, emphasizing that their actions must reflect the salvation they claim to possess.

• Instructions for All: Paul gives detailed, age- and gender-specific duties:

  • Older Men must be sober-minded and dignified.

  • Older Women must teach what is good, training younger women to love their husbands and children.

  • Younger Men are to be examples in self-control.

  • Bondservants (slaves) must be submissive and honest.

  • The goal for every group is to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything.” (Titus 2:10) Their daily conduct must make the Gospel beautiful and attractive to the world.

• The Grace of God: Paul provides the theological foundation for this godly conduct: the grace of God that brings salvation simultaneously trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives “while we wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11–13)

III. The Basis for Good Works (Chapter 3)

The final chapter summarizes the nature of salvation and the necessity of maintaining good works in the public square.

• The Transformation: Paul reminds them of their past ungodliness, but affirms that God saved them "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." (Titus 3:5) Our works do not save us; they are the result of our salvation.

• The Public Mandate: Believers are commanded to submit to rulers, be ready for every good work, and to avoid slander, quarreling, and arrogance. By doing this, they demonstrate the transforming power of the Gospel to the surrounding society.

• Rejecting Division: Titus is instructed to firmly deal with any divisive person (factious man), giving them two warnings, and then having nothing more to do with them, to protect the unity and health of the church.

Applying the Truth Today

Titus is a powerful reminder that salvation is not just a belief system; it is a life-transforming force that produces a zeal for good deeds. It challenges us to look closely at our own lives and ask if our conduct truly adorns the doctrine of Christ, making the Gospel beautiful to observers. It assures us that our hope is rooted in God’s mercy and that the same grace that saved us also empowers us to live self-controlled and godly lives while we wait for Christ's return.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. Adorning the Doctrine. What is one area of your public or private life (e.g., speech, work ethic, family life) where your conduct could do a better job of "adorning the doctrine" of the Gospel?

2. The Saving Grace. How does the truth that God saved you "not because of works" (Titus 3:5) empower you to be humble and gracious toward others who struggle?

3. Godly Conduct. Read the specific instructions in Chapter 2. Which age or gender group are you a part of, and what is the one character trait you need to be actively cultivating this week to fulfill Paul's charge?

Your Reading Guide

To grasp the essential link between salvation and conduct, read the foundational passage on saving grace and its training power in Titus 2:11–14. Next, read the clear summary of salvation by mercy, not works, in Titus 3:3–7. Finally, read the mandate for the Christian’s public witness in Titus 3:1–2, 8.