The Traveling Evangelist

"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine."—Titus 2:1

Contributed

Titus, whose name means honorable, was a noted Christian teacher and fellow laborer of the Apostle Paul. He was of Greek origin, the son of Gentile parents (Gal. 2:3). Although very little is known of his early years, there are several references to his activities after his conversion to Christianity.

It is interesting to note Luke makes no specific reference to Titus in the book of Acts; however, he was undoubtedly included in the "certain others" in Acts 15:2. In addition, Paul referred to him nine times in his second letter to the Corinthians, twice in the book of Galatians, and once in his last letter to Timothy. Also, Titus was the recipient of the Pauline epistle bearing his name.

Titus was converted to Christianity by Paul, who referred to him affectionately as his "brother" (2 Cor. 2:13) and as his "own son after the common faith" (Titus 1:4). Paul loved Titus and appreciated his trusted companionship (2 Cor. 7:6). Titus may have been young in years but he showed evidence of a mature Christian character. As Paul’s convert, loyal friend, and faithful helper, he was closely associated with the apostle for nearly twenty years, being an inspiration to Paul on several of his journeys. Titus was particularly successful as a leader in the church of Corinth. He also provided needed assistance in Dalmatia on the Adriatic Sea and on the island of Crete.

Titus, the Uncircumcised

Titus was apparently known to the Galatian brethren. He was introduced (Gal. 2:1) as a member of the delegation from Antioch when Paul and Barnabas traveled to the council at Jerusalem, the headquarters of the church, to consult the apostles and elders concerning the controversy that had arisen regarding circumcision (Acts 15:1, 2).

Certain Jews were teaching that Christ’s salvation would be of no effect without circumcision. Evidently many Jewish Christians resented the acceptance of Gentiles as Christians without circumcision. The church at Antioch, on the other hand, regarded the demand for circumcision to be contrary to the teachings of Paul andBarnabas and an infringement upon their liberty in Christ.

Thus the council at Jerusalem was called specifically to deliberate the necessity of circumcision for all Christians and the observance of the Law of Moses by Gentile Christians for salvation.

Luke stated that the Apostle Peter (Acts 15:7-9), speaking out of his personal experience with Cornelius (Acts 10), reminded the delegation how God had taught him through the vision of clean and unclean beasts that he was not to call the Gentiles common or unclean. James, the chairman of the meeting, and Peter both seemed to support the delegation from Antioch. Letters were then written stating that they "gave no such commandment," thus assuring that such teachings had not been authorized by the apostles at Jerusalem (Acts 15:24).

Certain Christianized Jews in Galatia had also been promoting acceptance with God by keeping the Law of Moses in connection with faith in Christ. Paul’s epistle to the Galatians was written to counteract the influence of those Judaizing teachers. Referring to the council in Jerusalem, he implied that the issue had been forced, with the Gentile Christian Titus being cited as a test case. Although Titus had been a convert for fourteen years, he had not been circumcised.

It is noteworthy that Paul earlier had insisted that Timothy be circumcised (Acts 16:3). Perhaps that decision was made because one of Timothy’s parents, his mother, was Jewish. However, in this instance Paul observed that the gospel of faith in Christ that he was preaching was being undermined by the Judaistic party; and he firmly resisted compelling Titus to be circumcised (Gal. 2:3). It was apparent that Paul needed to demonstrate to all that it was faith in Christ that saved. In other words, Titus became the representative of the "church of the uncircumcision." He was living proof of a new doctrine; and the decision stood that Gentiles need not conform to the Jewish rites (Gal. 2:5).

In Corinth

"Thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you."—2 Corinthians 8:16

Titus continued to serve as Paul’s preaching companion and trouble-shooter. Titus was specially useful in resolving some major problems in the church at Corinth after Timothy had failed. Some writers have suggested that Titus may have been firmer and more energetic than Timothy (McClintock & Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Baker Book House, 1981, Vol. X., p. 439).

Members of the church at Corinth had earlier been beset by false teachers, and their faith in Paul’s apostleship and teaching had been shaken. A party spirit had emerged in the church community; and divisions or sects had developed with some remaining followers of Paul, others following Apollos, and others Peter (1 Cor. 1:11). The Christians at Corinth had written a letter to Paul asking certain questions and discussing certain problems.

Paul dealt with their questions in a letter to the Corinthians which he sent by sea, while Timothy took the land route to deal with the situation in person (Brownrigg, Ronald, Who’s Who in the New Testament, Holt, Rhinehart & Winston, 1971, p. 440). Neither the letter nor Timothy’s visit achieved the desired effect of reforming the Corinthian Christian community, and Paul was grieved over their lack of repentance.

Paul received discouraging news about the Corinthian brethren while he was in Ephesus, where he had gone from Galatia. In addition to tensions and strife, a serious case of immorality had arisen. Paul did not immediately return to Corinth (2 Cor. 1:23; 2:1), perhaps because of their unrepentant attitude. He wrote a letter which was carried by Titus, who may have been more experienced than Timothy. The letter demanded a proper respect for Christian morality and for Paul himself, as founder of the Christian church in Corinth.

Paul was extremely anxious about his appeal to the Corinthians to mend their ways. Shortly after closing his ministry at Ephesus, he traveled by way of Troas, to intercept Titus on his return from Corinth through Macedonia. Somewhere en route he met Titus (2 Cor. 2:12, 13), who at last brought the good news. The Corinthian church had repented, and the erring member had been corrected (2 Cor. 7:7-11). Paul warmly expressed his relief and gratitude at the report of Titus (2 Cor. 7:6-9; 8:13-15), who had successfully completed the delicate and difficult work given to him by the apostle (2 Cor. 7:7, 13, 15). Without the efforts of Titus, the story of the Corinthians might have been very different.

With that controversy resolved at last, Paul assigned Titus the task of completing the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem which was then in progress (2 Cor. 8:6, 16, 17, 23).

Elders and Bishops

"Ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee."—Titus 1:5

Another reference to Titus is in the pastoral letter written to him (Titus 1:5). Paul sent the letter shortly after he had left Titus in charge of the believers on the island of Crete following their visit there. There is no reference to the founding of the church of Crete in the Scriptures. Cretans were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:11) and perhaps some of them returned home as Christians. Paul’s epistle to Titus outlines instructions for him as the bishop or overseer who was to minister to the believers there.

The date Paul wrote the epistle to Titus is uncertain. It may have been between Paul’s two imprisonments in Rome or during his second imprisonment. Paul gave Titus instructions regarding his responsibilities as overseer because the church in Crete was unorganized and composed of members who needed much admonition.

The people of Crete were considered to be especially degraded and lacking good character. Thus it was necessary for the apostle to give an exhortation to those who had left the world to join together with the Lord as his church.

It is interesting to note that the highest mountain in Crete, Mount Ida, was famous as the legendary birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. It has been said that the people were akin to the Philistines, thought to have been identical with the Cherethites (1 Sam. 30:14). As daring sailors and famous bowmen, they had a very bad moral reputation (H. H. Halley, Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan Press, 1965, p. 642).

Although the Lord’s people today live during an enlightened time, Paul’s words of exhortation are quite applicable. The guidelines he gave Titus for the qualifications of elders continue to be utilized by Christians throughout the world.

The apostle charged Titus to ordain elders in every city (Titus 1:5) and specifically cited their qualifications (Titus 1:6): "If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." He was further instructed relative to false teachers (Titus 1:10-16).

Paul gave specific instructions for several other groups of consecrated believers, including:

1. Titus’ own conduct as bishop, "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers" (Titus 1:7-9).

2. The expectations of mature Christian men: "That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience" (Titus 2:2).

3. The duties of decorous, Christian women: "The aged women likewise, that they may be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:3-5).

4. The expectations of young men: "Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you" (Titus 2:6-8).

5. The peculiar duties of servants, though freemen in Christ: "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus 2:9, 10).

The epistle includes a general exhortation to all classes in the church, repeatedly urging them to maintain good works.

In closing, Paul directed Titus to join him at Nicopolis as soon as Artemas and Tychicus arrived to take his place at Crete (Titus 3:12). Titus was briefly mentioned in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Paul, re-arrested, condemned, and awaiting execution, felt forsaken by his followers, even though they were striving to continue his work throughout the Mediterranean churches. Paul sent Titus to Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10) on the east coast of the Adriatic, possibly to Nicopolis.

Titus was consecrated, courageous, resourceful, tactful, and zealous. He successfully handled the problems brought about by the quarrelsome Corinthians, the untruthful Cretans, and the fighting Dalmatians. He was obedient to the apostolic authority and diligent in fulfilling his privileges of Christian service. May we be as zealous in the opportunities the Lord provides for us.