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This book is one of the “Pastoral Epistles” because it contains information for the care of the church and qualifications of ministers. This book was written by the Apostle Paul around 65. We know that Paul was released from his house arrest in Rome because those that accused him were not willing to stand before Caesar and make their case known. Therefore, charges against Paul were dropped and he was released.
After his release, Paul traveled to Ephesus leaving Timothy there to supervise the churches and went on to Macedonia, which is northern Greece. While there, he wrote Timothy and then went on to visit Crete, leaving Titus there to supervise those churches. He then traveled on to Nicopolis, which is in Achaia, which is southern Greece, and it was most probably here that he wrote the letter to Titus.
Titus was a Gentile by birth and converted to Christianity through the ministry of Paul. Titus also accompanied Paul to Jerusalem during the apostolic council. Titus was Paul’s emissary to Corinth also during Paul’s third missionary journey. Titus made many trips to the churches for Paul. He, along with two others, carried the letter to the church at Corinth. Titus spoke to the people of Corinth urging them to hold fast to their faithful promise and to make good on their promise of gifts to the poor people of Jerusalem.
The letter to Titus is a letter of encouragement and instruction. This letter primarily contains guidelines directed to Titus concerning the church and its leaders. The letter tells Titus to urge the people to obedience to the law of man and tells them they should enforce Good works and be obedient to the God’s Word as well. He also tells them to avoid foolish questions and says they should turn away from heretical doctrines. Paul’s instructions to Titus are very plain and very simple. Paul simply states that the Christian belief was not founded to bring about answers to worldly questions or to selfish ways and views. Paul states that the Christian belief was found to express and teach the wisdom and power of God.
Outline to Titus:
Opening Greetings 1:1-4
Church Elders – 1:5-9
A. The desire to have elders in the churches – 1:5
B. Qualifications needed for elders – 1:6-9
Rebellious Ones within the Church 1:10-16
A. Empty talkers and those that deceive 1:10
B. Teachers teaching only for their gain 1:11
C. Those turning from obedience and instruction 1:12-16
The Church and its Operation 2:1—3:11
A. Ministerial duties 2:1-10
1. Sound doctrine
2. Temperate
3. Dignified
4. Sensible
5. Reverent not leading toward gossip
6. Encouraging
7. Pure in heart
8. Good examples
9. Sound in speech and actions
10. Not of a deceiving nature
B. God’s Grace 2:11-15
C. Good works 3:1-11
1. The position of good works to governments 3:1
2. The position of good works to all people 3:2-7
3. The position of good works to false teachers 3:8-11
Personal Greetings and words of encouragement 3:12-15
A. Make sure nothing is lacking for God’s messengers 3:13
B. Teach the people to meet the needs of others 3:14
Resources:
KJV Holy Bible
NIV Version Holy Bible
Sermon Notes by Pastor Thomas E. Miles, Sr.
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