The Epistle of Titus is named for its recipient. Titus is mentioned by name thirteen times in the NT (1:4; Gal. 2:1, 3; 2 Tim. 4:10 and nine times in 2 Corinthians). The epistle’s title, in the Greek NT, literally reads “To Titus.” Along with 1 & 2 Timothy, these letters by the Apostle Paul, to his sons in the faith, are traditionally called “The Pastoral Epistles.”
The Apostle Paul is the author of Titus (1:1). Paul’s authorship is uncontested. Paul wrote the letter between A.D. 62–64, while he ministered to Macedonian churches between his first and second Roman imprisonments. Most likely Paul composed the letter from either Corinth or Nicopolis (cf. 3:12).
Titus probably served with Paul on both the second and third missionary journeys. Titus, like Timothy (2 Tim. 1:2), was a beloved disciple (Titus 1:4) and fellow worker in the gospel (2 Cor. 8:23). Paul’s last mention of Titus (2 Tim. 4:10) reports that he had gone to minster in Dalmatia—modern Yugoslavia. The epistle was likely delivered by Zenas and Apollos (Titus 3:13).
“Although Luke did not mention Titus by name in the book of Acts, it seems probable that Titus, a Gentile (Gal. 2:3), met and may have been led to faith in Christ by Paul (Titus 1:4) before or during the apostle’s first missionary journey. Later, Titus ministered for a period of time with Paul on the Island of Crete and was left behind to continue and strengthen the work (1:5). After Artemas or Tychicus (3:12) arrived to direct the ministry there, Paul wanted Titus to join him in the city of Nicopolis, in the province of Achaia in Greece, and stay through the winter (3:12),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Titus was actively involved with the church at Corinth during Paul’s third missionary journey, Titus is mentioned nine times in 2 Corinthians (2:13; 7:6, 13–14; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18), where Paul refers to him as “my brother” (2 Cor. 2:13) and “my partner and fellow worker” (2 Cor. 8:23).
The young elder was already familiar with the Judaizers; false teachers in the church who among other things insisted that all Christians, Gentile as well as Jew, were bound by the Mosaic Law in order to be converted. Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas years earlier to the Council of Jerusalem where that heresy was the subject (Acts 15; Gal. 2:1–5).
Titus ministered as a pastor on the Island of Crete. Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, measuring 160 miles long by 35 miles at its widest. It lies south of the Aegean Sea. Paul had briefly visited there on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7–9, 12–13, 21). He returned for ministry and later left Titus to continue the work, much as he left Timothy at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), while he went on to Macedonia. Speculation is that Paul wrote to Titus in response to a letter from Titus or a report from Crete.
I encourage you to begin reading the Epistle to Titus. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
The His Word Today Weekly Podcast begins Monday, September 5 featuring expository messages from the Epistle to the Ephesians.
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