Paul’s Epistle to Titus
Following
Paul’s
release
from
his
first
imprisonment
in
Rome,
he
took
Titus
to
Crete
to
establish
churches
there.
He
later
left
Titus
to
continue
with
the
work
they
had
both
started.
It
seems
that
Paul
became
aware
that
Zenos
and
Apollos
were
going
on
a
journey
that
took them through Crete, and took the opportunity to write this letter to Titus.
Elders and false teachers
[Tit 1]
Following
his
greeting,
Paul
reminds
Titus
of
why
he
left
him
in
Crete:
to
set
in
order
things
that
are
lacking
and
to
ordain
elders
in
every
city.
An
elder
must
be
blameless
in
his
Christian
walk
and
knowledgeable
in
scripture,
in
order
to
teach
and
to
oppose
those
who
argue
doctrine.
For
there
are
many
who
argue
and
teach
false
things,
particularly
Jews,
who
must
be
prevented
from
corrupting
the
truth to be found in scripture.
Christian witnessing: seniors and servants
[Tit 2]
In
his
preaching,
Titus
is
to
exhort
the
senior
generation
to
be
an
example
to
the
younger,
so
that
the
young
married
women
are
encouraged
to
run
their
homes
with
love,
and
both
husbands
and
wives
to
live
their
lives
according
to
the
faith.
Titus
too
must
be
exemplary
so
that
none
can
criticise
him.
He
is
to
exhort
servants
to
be
obedient
to
their
masters,
for
they
are
in
a
unique
position
to
be
an
example
of
good
Christian
living,
and
a
witness
that
salvation
through
Christ
is
available
to
all
in
preparation
for
His
second
coming.
Christian witnessing for all: Closing requests and salutations
[Tit 3]
Christians
should
be
law-abiding
citizens,
speaking
evil
of
no
one,
being
meek
and
gentle
towards
all
people,
remembering
that
we
were
all
once
sinners
and
have
now
been
saved,
not
by
our
own
deeds
but
by
grace,
and
are
the
beneficiaries
of
the
gift
of
the
Holy
Spirit
who
indwells
all
believers.
Titus
is
urged
to
avoid
foolish
and
unprofitable
debate
from
those
who
believe
but
do
not
recognise
the
truth
in
scripture,
and
who
choose
to
be
contentious.
If
such
people
do
not
accept
the
truth
after
two
attempts
to
correct
them,
then
they
are
to
be
rejected.
In
his
closing
words,
Paul
asks
Titus
to
come
to
him
at
Nicopolis
when
either
Artemas
or
Tychicus
arrive
at
Crete, and to bring two brothers, Zenas and Apollos, with him.
Paul’s letter ends with his usual salutations and blessing of grace.
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