Introduction to the Book of Titus From the Bible

Introduction to the Book of Titus From the Bible October 9, 2014

What is the purpose behind the Book of Titus?  Here is a brief introduction to this book.

The Authorship and Date

There is little doubt that the Apostle Paul was the author of the Book of Titus (1:1).  This “book” is actually a letter, sometimes called an epistle, which Paul wrote to Titus who was the pastor of the church at Crete and whom he had left in charge.  This letter, one of three written called the “pastoral epistles” (including 1 and 2 Timothy) was written toward the end of Paul’s life around 64-66 A.D.  From the way Paul wrote this, it appeared that he wasn’t going to be around much longer.  Perhaps God had told him this or he may have seen that his end was near from what he heard or seen from all the severe persecution going on in the Roman Empire, especially in Rome.

The Purpose

The main reason that Paul wrote to Titus was because he was seeing the infiltration of a false gospel brought in by false teachers (1:10-14, 16).  Maybe that’s why Paul emphasized the qualifications for church leadership so much (1:7-9). Paul was Titus’ mentor and today I believe it is so important that everyone has a mentor and everyone should be mentoring someone.  This is why Jesus said that we should be making disciples of all nations and not just believers (Matt 28:18-20).  The art of mentoring or making disciples in the church seems to have disappeared today and this in a day when it is needed now more than ever.  Too many were wrangling over non-essential issues like genealogies (3:9-11) and why it was necessary to discipline such leaders (3:9-15).  Some of these false teachers were trying to enslave the believers back into the Mosaic Law like circumcision (1:10-11) which may be why Paul once again summarized the essential doctrine of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone and not by any works (3:5-6).

Overview of Titus

  • Paul left Titus in charge of the church at Crete because he could trust him to oversee this church (1:5).
  • Paul wanted to ensure trustworthy leadership and so he laid out the qualifications for church leaders (1:5-9).
  • Apparently, Judaizers had already infiltrated the church at Crete and had brought with them the destructive teachings of salvation by works, which included portions of the Mosaic Law which Christ had nailed to the cross (1:10-16).
  • Paul emphasizes that Titus should be teaching sound doctrine (2:1-10) and how believers ought to be living the Christian life (2:2-10; 3:1-13) which Paul deemed essential since there were so many false doctrines floating around in Crete already.
  • Paul reminds Titus to stay focused on what the essential doctrine of being saved by grace really is (3:4-6).
  • Paul reminded Titus that believers should be devoting themselves to producing godly fruits (3:7).
  • Sadly, there were those in the church who were bringing in a “salvation by works” doctrine and this was causing divisions, quarrels over the law, and arguments (3:9-10).  By trying to show that they were saved by the works of the law they were actually condemning themselves because they were trying to show that salvation is by works (3:11) and not by grace alone.  Paul frequently reminded Titus of this false teaching that was still prevalent in the church (Eph 2:8-9).

Book of Titus

Conclusion

The Book of Titus reminds church leadership today to be ever mindful of false teachings that can quietly creep into the local churches.  Pastors, deacons, elders, and other church leaders must be on the lookout for such teachings because they try to encumber people with law-keeping as a way of being saved instead of salvation by grace alone through Christ alone.  Too often, churches try to bring in parts of the Mosaic Law into their doctrine and by doing so, they make it seem impossible for others to be saved since no one can ever keep the law by human efforts.  This can sometimes cause divisions, arguments, and create all kinds of wrangling over issues that are not essential to the gospel once delivered.  Only Jesus could keep the law and did keep the law perfectly and it is only by His sinless perfection that we can be justified before God and be in a right relationship with the Father (2 Cor 5:21).  The Book of Titus is just as applicable today as it was nearly 2,000 years ago.  Few things have changed.  Men are still trying to corrupt the message of the gospel which is why we must contend for the faith that was once and for all delivered.


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