Today we will consider Paul’s letter to another pastor (elder) named Titus. Titus was a Greek and was known to the Corinthian church, as he helped pastor the church there (2 Cor 7:13-14, 8:6, 12:18). Titus was now a pastor in Crete (1:5), a Greek Island. Paul wrote to him to tell him how to establish orderly churches. The focus of the letter is the good works that result from sound doctrine.

In perhaps his most epic salutation, Paul addresses Titus and highlights three aspects of our salvation. We are justified in Christ by faith (v. 4), we will be glorified eternally (v. 2) – and then there is what happens in the meantime. The Gospel message must be preached (v. 3), and we all must know and live this out (v. 1). Because of this, Paul left Titus to set things in order in Crete (v. 5). He tells Titus to appoint elders at every church and then lays out some qualifications (vv. 6-9). Note the similarities between these and what Paul says to Timothy (1 Tim 3:1-7).

Paul now addresses false teaching. There are deceivers that teach false doctrine, especially the Judaizers (v. 10). They teach false doctrine that they may gain monetarily (v. 11). Paul then quotes Epimenides and his description of his own people from Crete (v. 12). In Paul saying this testimony is true (v. 13), he is pointing to how susceptible the Cretan people are to false teaching and deception. Titus, therefore, has to rebuke them and teach them sound doctrine so that they do not fall for the Judaizers’ deceit (vv. 13-14). Paul describes the Judaizers in verse 16.

Paul then encourages the teaching of right doctrine. Titus is to teach sound (literally: “healthy”) doctrine. This doctrine is how the Cretan Christians will learn to live according to the truth. Sound doctrine will lead older men to live dignified and faithful lives (v. 2), older women to behave properly and teach younger women how to do so (vv. 3-4), younger women how to be responsible for their role in the family (vv. 4-5), and young men how to live self-controlled (v. 6). Titus is himself to be an example for the church, especially the young men, in word and deed (vv. 7-8). Servants are to serve their masters well (vv. 9-10).

Then Paul tells us why Christians are to live this way. This is what Paul spoke about in his opening salutation. God has saved us in Christ (v. 11) so that we can live lives worthy of our calling now (v. 12) as we await His Second Coming and our final salvation and glorification (v. 13). Christ’s work was done so that we could live holy lives and do good works (v. 14). It is this that Titus is to preach (v. 15).

Paul wants Titus to remind the church to submit to worldly authorities (3:1). They are to speak no evil of anyone, including unbelievers (v. 2). They are not to argue and to always be gentle (or tolerant) and courteous. This is still speaking of how Christians are to treat unbelievers. This is why Paul points out that “we ourselves were once” just like them (v. 3). We were foolish and disobeyed those in authority. We were malicious towards others, even hating them. But Christ has come to bring us salvation (v. 4)! And He did it not because of what we did or how we acted, He did it because of His own mercy, according to which He made us new and gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could act towards others like He acted toward us (vv. 5-6). And we know what our sure end is (v. 7), so we should live our lives to do good works for the benefit of all (v. 8).

Paul then warns Titus about getting caught up in arguments and petty division. He is again speaking of the Judaizers (v. 9). When people cause division over any of these things, they are to be warned once or twice, but then excommunicated for the good of the church (v. 10). Such people get what they deserve (v. 11). Paul then tells Titus that he will send either Artemas or Tychicus to relive him in Crete so that he can come to Paul (v. 12). He ends by summarizing all he has said: sound doctrine is meant to teach Christians to devote themselves to good works (v. 14). This is the fruit of our salvation.