Titus Introduction

PAUL'S LETTER TO TITUS
INTRODUCTION
PAUL'S LETTER TO TITUS

We refer you to our introduction (pp, 19, 20) as to the background of both the letter and the one to whom it was addressed,

It is very important that you have an analytical grasp of this epistle,
Here are four outlines of the letter, Please read through the epistle of Titus using these outlines as guides. Read the epistle four times, once for each outlinenotice the points of the outline as you read.

E. K. Simpson: (The Pastoral Epistles, the Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub, Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Salutation Titus 1:1-4

Ministerial Qualifications Titus 1:5-9

The Cretan Character Titus 1:10-16

Admonitions to Seniors and Juniors Titus 2:1-8

Directions to Servants Titus 2:9-10

The Life Consonant With the Dispensation of Grace Titus 2:11-15

Demeanor to the Outside World Titus 3:1-2

The Contrast between Past and Present Titus 3:3

The Glory of the Gospel of God's Grace Titus 3:4-7

10.

Epitome of Counsels Titus 3:8-11

11.

Personalia Titus 3:12-15

Victor E, Hoven (The New Testament Epistles Analysis and Notes. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids 6, Michigan)

INTRODUCTION 1:1-4

1. The writer, Titus 1:1-3. In service Paul is God's bondservant; in office he is Christ's apostle. His activity is according to, or with a view to, producing faith, by preaching the gospel; knowledge, by teaching the gospel; godliness by exhortation to live the gospelall of which is in hope of eternal life, promised before times eternal and intrusted to Paul. This enabled Titus to speak by divine authority to false teachers in Crete.

2. Greeting to Titus, Titus 1:4. He was Paul's convert by a common faith, a faith for everybody and for all time; was encouraged by benediction of divine grace and peace,

PART I. WHY PAUL LEFT TITUS IN CRETE, 1:5-16.

1. To set things in order, Titus 1:5. The whole island his parish; every church his responsibility; Paul's teaching his rule of faith and practice. Cp. Galatians 6:16; Philippians 3:16.

2. To appoint elders, Titus 1:5-9. Cp. 1 Timothy 3:1-7. They were to be blameless (a) in family life, Titus 1:6, (b) in personal life, Titus 1:7-8, (c) in teaching, Titus 1:9.

3. To stop destructive teachers, Titus 1:10-16. Not only Titus, but the elders must do this (9). Titus 1:10-14 describe their character and conduct, confirmed by the Greek poet Epimenides and accepted by Paul. In Titus 1:15-16, the state of their heart and conscience is given. See Matthew 15:19-20. What a field of labor!

PART II. THE TEACHING TITUS WAS TO ENFORCE.
2:1-3:11

1. Christian character in relation to the church, Titus 2:1-15.

a. Conduct which befits sound doctrine, Titus 2:1-10. Sound means healthful uncorrupted teaching, opposed to doctrine of false teachers which had made the church mentally and morally sick. Christians of all age levels, men and women, are enrolled as learners. In order to be effective, Titus himself must be model in speech and behavior.

b. Motives for such conduct, Titus 2:11-14. They are: (1) The grace of God, Titus 2:11-12. It has appeared, become visible, in Christ, John 1:14, bringing salvation, recorded for instruction of right living in three directions: soberly as to self, righteously as of fellow-man, godly in relation to God. (2) The return of Christ, Titus 2:13. This also motivates right living, for He is our only hope of life eternal, Titus 1:2, and He returns for judgment, Matthew 25:31 ff. (3) The death of Christ, Titus 2:14. He gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem, purify and possess us. These things Titus was to teach and enforce, backed by all authority of Christ.

2. Christian character in relation to the world, Titus 3:1-7.

a. Duties to civil authority, Titus 3:1-2. Judaizers held that worshipers of Jehovah need not obey pagan magistrates, not so Paul, cp. Romans 13:1-7.

b. Reasons for subjection, Titus 3:3-7. First, there is recollection of the old life, Titus 3:3; next, transition from the old to the new, Titus 3:4-7. It is motivated by the kindness of God, accomplished, not by man's moral goodness, but by two agencieswashing of regeneration (laver, bath of rebirth, or immersion into Christ) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, that is, renewing of the human spirit by the Spirit of God. Cp. Psalms 51:10. In conversion the Spirit presents to the human mind what to do to be saved from past sins, 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18; the result is a new person. After conversion the Spirit continually renews the mind of a Christian by His word, 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:22-24. The result is a new life. The final objective is eternal life.

3. Duty of Titus concerning these things, Titus 3:8-11, He is to affirm confidently, shun all that is unprofitable and maintain discipline,

CONCLUSION, 3:12-15

Directions to Titus, Titus 3:12-14. When Paul sent either Artemas or Tychicus to succeed Titus in Crete, he was to hasten to Paul at Nicopolis; Zenas and Apollos were to be set forward by supplying their needs for travel; the Cretans, who were idle gluttons, Titus 1:12, were to apply themselves to some honest occupation.

Salutations and benediction, Titus 3:15. Salutations come from Paul and his fellow-workers, include all in the faith and exclude the false teachers. The benediction of grace is not for Titus alone, but for all the churches in Crete.

William Hendriksen (New Testament CommentaryExposition of the Pastoral Epistles, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids 6, Michigan).

Theme: The Apostle Paul, Writing to Titus, Gives Directions for the Promotion of the Spirit of Sanctification.

Chapter 1:

In Congregational Life.

The Address and Salutation.

Well-qualified elders must be appointed in every town.

Reason: Crete is not lacking in disreputable people who must be sternly rebuked.

Chapter 2:

In Family and Individual Life.

All classes of individuals that compose the homecircle should conduct themselves in such a manner that by their life they may adorn the doctrine of God, their Savior,

Reason: to all, the grace of God has appeared unto sanctification and joyful expectation of the appearing in glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Chapter 3:

In Social (i.e. Public) Life.

Believers should be obedient to the authorities. They should be kind to all men, since it was the kindness of God our Saviornot our own works!which brought salvation.

On the other hand, foolish questions should be shunned, and factious men who refuse to heed admonition should be rejected.

Concluding directions with respect to kingdom-travelers (Artemas or Tychicus, Titus, Zenas, Apollos) and Cretan believers in general. Greeting.

John H. Bratt (Back to God Hour, 10858 Michigan Ave., Chicago 28, III.)

Contents

GreetingsTitus 1:1-4

Theme: Pastoral Directions

Concerning Elders and Errorists Titus 1:5-6.

The Kind of Elders to be Ordained Titus 1:5-9.

Dangerous Errorists Titus 1:10-16.

II.

Concerning Various Groups in the Congregation Titus 2:1-15.

The elderly men Titus 2:1-2

The elderly women Titus 2:3-5

The young men Titus 2:6-8.

The slaves Titus 2:9-10.

III.

Concerning the position of Christians generally Titus 3:1-11.

Their citizenship Titus 3:1-2.

Their past and present status Titus 3:3-8.

Who and what to shun Titus 3:9-11.

Conclusion Titus 3:12-15.

Please originate your own outline of this short letter if you must make a composite of the four we have given do so. The important point of learning here is that you think through the analysis of the whole letter. Do it.

Here is the outline we shall follow in our study of the letter:

PAUL'S LETTER TO TITUS

Greetings Titus 1:1-4.

The care of the church Titus 1:5-16.

The selection and qualifications of elders Titus 1:5-9.

The description and refutation of false teachers Titus 1:10-16.

II.

The conduct of church members Titus 2:1-15.

Older men Titus 2:1-2.

Older women Titus 2:3.

Young women Titus 2:4-5.

Young men Titus 2:6-8.