His mission was largely successful, so that he was able to return to Paul with joy, because his spirit was refreshed by the Corinthians (2Corinthians 7:13). Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. After that he must be released for a little while. So, Pauls choice to circumcise Timothy would suggest that he had a pragmatic side. Titus was a Gentile Christian (Galatians 2:3), possibly a convert of Paul (Titus 1:4). women, young men, and slavesas well as general instructions to all believers about their conduct. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness. But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? (Timothy is similarly described in 1 Tim 1:2.) 13. O Salem Media Group. They are to teach what is good. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Written in A.D. 64 from Asia Minor. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Titus: Working for Good Deeds Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. Crete: a large island south of Greece where Paul had assigned Titus as pastor of the local church there, 2. Titus was one of at least two younger men that Paul discipled and described as his son in the faith that we share (Titus 1:4). This island, southeast of Greece, was about 150 miles long and 35 miles wide, thus making it the largest of the Mediterranean islands. At this time he was working in Crete. We find him, at a later period, with Paul and Timothy at Ephesus, whence he was sent by Paul to Corinth for the purpose of getting the contributions of the church there in behalf of the poor saints at Jerusalem sent forward ( 2Corinthians 8:6 ; 12:18 ). Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. Both emphasize good works as the visible proof of saving faith. And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The all-too-common phenomenon of pastors kids not following their parents faith and its becoming clear that their parents were emotionally absent proves this in a very sad way. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope. Publication date: Feb 24, 2023. Titus records the final of four instances, in the pastoral epistles where we read the little phrase, this is a faithful saying. These are: Referring to Jesus saving ministry (1 Tim. So little is known about him that no one can positively state where he made his home, but most scholars feel it was in Philippi. Geocoding Gods grace is the motivation for all good deeds. This book offers encouragement to a (possible) discouraged pastor (Titus). 2:3, 12-13; 7:5-6, 13-14; 8:16-17, 23; 12:14, 18). His legacy also includes a military record marked by the betrayal of his peers and capitulation to the Romans. Even the women in the church may have had problems with alcohol (see 2:3). 5. But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Titus, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Titus. 11. In any case, nothing is recorded concerning Titus mission work until the third missionary journey shortly after Pauls lengthy stay at Ephesus (Acts 19:1, 17, 26, 35). Family is just as important as ministry.When Paul lists an elders qualifications, he highlights that they need to be not just good with content but also good husbands whose children have inherited their faith (Titus 1:6). The church as a whole is exhorted to submit to authorities and avoid fighting and foolish discussions (Titus 3:9). 2:1). He is not mentioned in the Acts at all. His circumcision was either not insisted on at Jerusalem, or, if demanded, was firmly resisted. Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostles release from his first Roman imprisonment. Most likely, Titus served with Paul on both the second and third missionary journeys. Get the answers your looking for and save with code SPRINGSTUDY15. After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NASB) 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue . 10. He leads me beside still waters. Titus is a short book that packs a punch. 9. There is no further notice of Titus for some years afterward, when he is again mentioned in 2 Corinthians. Who Was Titus in the Bible and Why Should You Read His Book Now. "Entry for 'TITUS'". Verse 7. When they got to Ephesus, Paul recognized some men in the church were teaching error about Jesus saying that Jesus could not have been a man and God at the same time. Titus generously aided the victims of this disaster, and did a great deal to repair the damage to the city. The books of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. ( 2Corinthians 8:6 ) Thus we are prepared for what the apostle now proceeds to do after his encouraging conversations with Titus regarding the Corinthian church. How to designate church leaders; how to deal with church legalists, 2. Publisher: OpenBible.info. P They are to teach what is good. Titus seems to have established a good rapport with the Corinthians and Paul exuberantly expresses his gratitude for the happy turn of events. <> In essence these verses provide for us the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, HOW, and WHY in regard to Gods eternal plan: 14. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. By expelling the hated informers, and doing away with trials and executions for treason, he gained the favor of the Senate, and thus that body did not oppose his actions. The most prominent cities in the early Roman period were Gortyn (the administrative capital, known for its celebrated "Gortyn Code," a set of classical codified laws), Knossos (a Roman colony most likely established by Augustus famous for its Bronze Age palace), and the less-explored Eleutherna, Hierapytna, and Kydonia. The churches on Crete were just as susceptible to false teachers as any other church, so Paul directed Titus to establish a group of faithful BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Here he expected to meet Titus, ( 2Corinthians 2:13 ) who had been sent on a mission to Corinth. Like someone above pointed out, the word "teaching" should mean teaching generally, not an academic . It was an island of 100 cities, consist-ing of mountains, but also very fertile valleys. Apparently Titus was a convert of Paul. They place their hope not in things working out now, but in the day that Jesus will reveal himself to humanity. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. Y Ultimately, this council determined that Christians did not need to be circumcised, but laid out some basic moral rules that Christians had to follow (Acts 15:22-30). Only when God the Son took on human flesh in the person of Jesus was the believers faith in God made sure. If people still do not repent after the second warning, then Titus should have nothing more to do with them (Titus 3:10). The name Titus appears in the NT only in 2 Corinthians (eight times), Galatians (twice), 2 Timothy (once) and Titus (once). Some believe he may have been the brother of Luke. Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In this letter, Paul reminds Titus . But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. It does not appear to be a question here of where Paul lodged, but where he preached. Titus carried 2 Corinthians to the Corinthian church (2 Cor. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. If this is the visit of Acts 11 and 12, Titus was then a companion of Paul before the first missionary journey. In simple but sublime terms this epistle explains just how grace and works fit together. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? 2:11). One of these epistles is called the . The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Titus was written between A.D. 62-64, while Paul ministered to Macedonian churches between his first and second Roman imprisonments, from either Corinth or Nicopolis (cf. Something happens that causes their love for Jesus to go cool, turning away or falling back. Paul, author of Titus and at least 12 other New Testament books, church planter, evangelist, missionary, and perhaps the greatest of all the apostles, 2. 5 0 obj This grace of God instructs us to live upright and godly lives in this present age (2:113:8). Early in the morning he came again to the temple. To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. However, this does not mean these people are beyond turning around. Early church tradition holds that Paul, after his release from his first imprisonment in Rome, stopped at the island of Crete to preach. In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. Paul highlights how some foolish people at the Cretan church fool others with useless talk (Titus 1:10) about circumcision, spiritual genealogies, and following Jewish laws that Christians dont have to follow. Why and to whom? 2 Corinthians 8:18 II, 11). Since Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile (Galatians 2:3), his presence as Pauls disciple cut to the heart of this discussion. From the references in the Pauline epistles it appears that Titus was an uncircumcised Gr. Titus was apparently received well, and Paul tried to meet with him at Troas for a report (2 Corinthians 2:13) but had to meet him at Macedonia instead (2 Corinthians 7:6). Titus may be the person who delivered the 2 Corinthians letter to the Corinthian church after he wrote it. However, his letter from Paul gives us some valuable insights, both about the early church and about following Christ today. Nicopolis: a city where Paul proposed to spend the winter and where he invited Titus to join him. This is the last reference to Titus in the NT. The Greek term episkapos has also been translated as "episcopal," "elder," " overseer ," or "pastor." All refer to the same office and are therefore synonyms. 11, the restless and mischievous Judaizers. This epistle marks the last of but two instances where the great theological word regeneration is used in the New Testament. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. The state of the Corinthian church had been causing much anxiety to Paul, so much so that when he had come to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to him of the Lord, he found no rest in his spirit, because he found not Titus, his brother; so he left Troas, and went thence into Macedonia, in order to meet Titus the sooner, so as to ascertain from him how matters stood in Corinth.