STUDYING THE BOOK

Introduction and summary of

Titus

Titus is the 17th New Testament book and 12th of Paul's 13 letters. Between 2 Timothy and Philemon, it's the third pastoral epistle, written to counsel young Titus, who served on the island of Crete. Neither Titus nor churches on Crete are referenced in Acts, but he is mentioned often in 2 Corinthians. In perfect balance, Titus lays great stress both on the grace of God in Jesus Christ for salvation and obedience as the necessary fruit of salvation. Christians should memorize four verses that put these major tenets of our faith in classic form: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (2:11-14).

Redeemed to life eternal by grace

• Eternal life, grace, mercy, and peace come from the Father and the Son (1:1-4).
• God's grace has appeared to all men and teaches us to look for the glorious appearing of our Savior, Jesus (2:11-14).
• Not by our works, but by His mercy and grace He justified us through Christ and sanctified us through the Holy Spirit - unto eternal hope (3:4-7).

Redeemed to good works by grace

• We deny God, and disqualify ourselves, by evil deeds (1:16).
• Good works are the pattern for young men (2:7).
• Redemption's goal is that Christians be zealous of good works (2:14).
• Preachers remind people: Be ready for every good work (3:1).
• Those who believe must be careful to maintain good works (3:8).
• Good works meet urgent needs and make us fruitful (3:14).

Character and conduct for all\

• Older men: Be reverent, faithful, patient, loving (2:2).
• Older women: Be sober, disciplined; teach the younger (2:3, 4).
• Young women: Be pure, good wives, good mothers (2:4, 5).
• Young men: Be productive, reverent, wholesome (2:6-8).
• Servants: Be submissive, honest, dependable (2:9, 10).

Healthy speech/words

• God manifests His Word in preaching (1:3).
• Though some always lie, God cannot (1:2, 12).
• Gossips' and deceivers' mouths must stop (1:10, 11).
• Pastors speak sound doctrine (2:1-15).
• Sound speech trumps an evil report (2:8).
• Christians speak evil of no one (3:2).
• Greet everyone in faith and love (3:15).

Qualities of church leaders: Elders (or bishops) must be above reproach; successful at home; men of faith, exhibiting holiness and self-control; and skilled in teaching the Word (1:5-9).

Pastoral practices

• set good church order; delegate duties (1:5)
• teach, exhort, constantly affirm truth (2:1, 15; 3:1, 8)
• rebuke the insubordinate and idle (1:10-13; 2:15)
• avoid Jewish fables and commandments of men (1:14)
• avoid foolish disputes and strivings about the law (3:9)
• reject divisive people after warning them (3:10, 11)

Five times Christians are urged to be "sound" (meaning healthy or wholesome) in faith, doctrine, and speech (1:9, 13; 2:1, 2, 8).

Nine times Titus receives instruction:

• Sound doctrine corrects those who teach things they ought not (1:9, 11).
• A pastor is primarily responsible for teaching sound doctrine (2:1).
• The older women are to teach good things to the younger (2:3-5).
• Young men are to develop integrity of doctrine (2:7).
• The doctrine of God our Savior is beautified by honesty (2:10).
• The grace of God teaches us wonderful doctrine (2:11, 12).

True thing: We should be patient with the ungodly because that's what all of us were before we accepted Christ (3:2-4).

Same thing: Three times Paul writes of "God our Savior" (1:3; 2:10; 3:4), and three times he names Jesus Christ as Savior (1:4; 2:13; 3:6).

Titus in a sentence: To a young pastor, the apostle Paul writes counsel on elders in every church, sound teaching for Christians, and instruction about difficult persons and problems.