Bible Study

DIOCESE OF LAGOS WEST (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

ARCHBISHOP VINING MEMORIAL CATHEDRAL CHURCH

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019

INTRODUCTION

The book of Titus is one of the three Pastoral Epistles of Paul, the Apostle. It was written to guide the selection of people to leadership positions in the Churches on the island of Crete.  The letter emphasizes good leadership in the Church. It remains a viable reference before, during and after appointment of people to leadership. Through the study of this Book, we would be able to appraise ourselves to see if we are failing or aligning with God’s standards with respect to leadership. More importantly, the study should ignite in us a passion to keep praying for people in Church Leadership.

PURPOSE

Chapter 1 “set in order what remains and appoint elders.” Chapter 2 “Speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” Chapter 3 “Remind them to be subject to rulers … be ready for every good deed.” Paul wrote his epistle to Titus because there was false teaching that had crept into the church. Titus needed to be guided so that he could take the right course of actions. Titus was instructed on the qualifications of an elder, how to deal with false teachers and the dangers they bring. Paul also encouraged him on living the Christian life.

Specifically, Paul wanted Titus to do three things:

1. Organize the Churches (Tit. 1:5-9)
2. Deal with the false teachers who were present (Tit. 1:10-14; 3:9-11)
3. Instruct the Churches on proper conduct (Tit. 2:1-3:8)
5. STATISTICS

• The epistle was written in either Nicopolis, Thessalonica, or Philippi, or somewhere on the road to Nicopolis; shortly after 1 Timothy, about AD65 or 66 or 67
• It has 3 chapters, 46 verses and 921 words (KJV)
• AUTHORSHIP

The author is unarguably Apostle Paul as seen in his typical opening (1:1) and closing.

1. KEY TRUTHS:
2. The Church must be organized with qualified leaders leading (17qualifications 1:5-9; 1Tim 3:1-13)
3. False teachers must be resisted (1:11; 3:10). How can we do this in our days?
4. Special responsibilities exist for specific groups in the Church (elders 1:5-9; aged women 2:3; young women 2:4-5; young men 2:6-8; servants/workers/employees 2:9-10; all men 2:11-13)
5. The gospel produces godliness in the lives of believers (1:1; 2:1, 11–14; 3:4–7).
6. Attitude and behaviour will either prove or disprove one’s claim to know God (1:16).
7. True Christian living will draw others to the gospel (2:5, 8, 10).
8. Good works (good behaviors) have an important place in the lives of believers (2:1–10, 14; 3:1–2, 8, 14).
9. It is important to deal clearly and firmly with doctrinal and moral errors in the Church (1:10–16; 3:9–11).
10. The gospel is the basis for Christian ethics (2:11–14; 3:3–7).

1. ORIGINAL AUDIENCE:

Letter was written to Titus. According to tradition he was the first bishop of Crete. Titus was a Gentile Christian who was probably converted by Paul (Tit. 1:4). The New Testament provides little information about him. Paul took him to Jerusalem early in his missionary labors. While in Jerusalem Paul refused to have Titus circumcised (Gal. 2:1-3). Titus apparently traveled with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys and later on what may have been part of his fourth. He was Paul’s trusted associate, and Paul counted on him in delicate situations, such as that in Corinth (2 Cor. 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18).  On an earlier leg of Paul’s fourth missionary journey, Paul and Titus were involved in missionary activity on Crete, an island in the Mediterranean Sea whose inhabitants were known for their less-than-exemplary behavior (Tit. 1:12). When Paul departed, he left Titus behind to continue the work (Tit. 1:5).

1. OUTLINE:
2. Opening (1:1–4)
3. The Occasion: The Need for Proper Leadership (1:5–9)
4. The Problem: False Teachers (1:10–16)
5. Christian Living in Contrast to the False Teachers (2:1–3:8)
6. The Problem Restated: False Teachers (3:9–11)
7. Closing Encouragement & Benediction (3:12–15)

1. DISTINCTIVES:
2. Like 1 Timothy, the Book of Titus is noteworthy for its information on Church organization.
3. Paul left Titus in charge of the church at Crete because he could trust him to oversee the Church (1:5). How trustworthy are we in our responsibilities?
4. It provides a lengthy description of the qualifications for being an overseer/elder/bishop (Tit. 1:6-9). Have we lowered the Bar?
5. Also like 1 Timothy, Titus exhibits a strong concern for sound doctrine (Tit. 1:9, 13; 2:1-2). Is the Church watching this? Are we attending churches where sound doctrines are taught?
6. It contains four theological meditations on the grace that God has extended to mankind in Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:11-14; 3:4-7). These include affirmations of the second coming of Christ (Tit. 2:13), Christ’s substitutionary atonement (Tit. 2:14), regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5), and justification by grace (Tit. 3:5, 7).
7. Titus also affirms the deity of Christ in a striking manner: The title “Savior” is applied freely and in the same contexts, to both God (Tit. 1:3; 2:10; 3:4) and Christ (Tit. 1:4; 2:13; 3:6), with 2:13 speaking of “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
8. Paul’s concern for sound doctrine was balanced by an emphasis on proper Christian conduct. For Paul, the two clearly went hand in hand. In particular, he stressed the quality of “self-control” (Tit. 1:8; 2:2, 5, 6, 12) and the importance of doing “what is good” (Tit. 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14).
9. It is difficult to determine in detail the nature of the false teaching on Crete Island. Paul described this false teaching as something that had come from within the Church (Tit. 1:10, 16). It concerned Jewish myths/fables (Tit. 1:14), genealogies and quarrels about the law (Tit. 3:9), and human commandments (Tit. 1:14).
10. The false teachers represented a narrow Jewish-Christian perspective (Tit. 1:10) and sought leadership positions for financial gain (Tit. 1:11). They had divided the Churches and led a number of believers astray with their heresies (Tit. 1:11; 3:10).

1. CONCLUSION

We need impeccable leadership in the Church. When good leaders do not rise up, bad leaders will infiltrate and devastate the flock. The Book of Titus reminds Church leadership today to be ever mindful of false teachings that can quietly creep into the local Churches.  Church leadership must resist such teachings. This Book is just as applicable today as it was when it was written.  Few things have changed.  Men are still trying to corrupt the message of the Gospel. There are still straying leaders as well as wolves in sheep’s clothing. With mentors and coaches like Paul and ready-Leaders like Titus, we can keep contending for the Faith.

Memory Verse: Titus 1:5

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee”