Subject: study |
Bible Note: Titus This letter is thought to have been written at about the same time as the Paul's first letter to Timothy, approx. AD 67. Titus means “Pleasing.” Following his conversion, Paul had spent 3 years in Arabia, then went to Jerusalem for 2 weeks, then went back to Tarsus for probibly about 5 years. Barnabas found Paul in Tarsus, and brought him to Antioch, to preach and minister in the church there, and it was apparently during this time that Titus came to the faith. We first see Titus as he travels to Jerusalem with Paul in about 44 AD, as Paul brings an offering to the church at Jerusalem (Gal 2). This was Paul's second recorded trip to Jerusalem. Titus was part of Paul's missionary team, and traveled extensively with Paul. We next see Titus eleven years later, in about 55 AD. Paul was in Macedonia, anxiously awaiting news from Corinth, and was uneasy until Titus came with his report (2 Cor. 2:13). Titus brought good news, Paul's correction had been well received (2 Cor. 7), and Paul sent Titus back with II Corinthians. Paul then met Titus in Corinth, and, after winter, they continued on to Jerusalem again together. Paul had probibily sent the first Corinthian letter with Titus, at a time he knew there were major problems in the church there, indicating that Paul had a lot of confidence in Titus. Paul wrote about Titus: 2 Cor 8:16 "But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you." 2 Cor 8:23 "Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ." 2 Cor 12:18 "I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?" Paul thought very well of Titus, and considered him to have the same heart and spirit for the church as Paul himself did. We know that Paul and Titus travelled further together, in vs. 5 Paul mentions leaving Titus in Crete. This would seem to be after Paul's house arrest in Rome. He had been released, and continued travelling, ministering to the church. It is possible that Paul had left Titus on Crete while Paul was on his way to Rome as a prisoner. That would be just like Paul, to be concerned with the care of the church even as he is on his way to appear before caeser, although this is not likely. Titus 3:12 shows Paul is free to come and go, and we know Paul’s first house arrest was for two years, a rather long time for Paul to not have written an intructional letter regarding Titus’ temporary appointment. Titus was to "set in order the things that were wanting", again, this shows that Paul considered Titus trustworthy, mature, and capable. This is a temporary appointment, as Titus is to set the church in order, and then rejoin Paul (3:12). We last hear of Titus in 2 Timothy 4:10, after he had rejoined Paul, then left again to go to Dalmatia. There is no further word on his fate. According to Halley's Bible Handbook and others, it is thought that he later returned to Crete as archbishop, and died at a nice old age. Intro to Titus Love in Christ, Mark |