An Encouraging Letter-The Book of Titus
As discussed last week, we are going to be doing a dive into the book of Titus! In order to understand this book, we need to first look into the demographics that Paul was encouraging Titus to preach to. Many of the issues that Titus faced, the church today is still battling against. However, just as Paul encouraged Titus, we can take encouragment in this book today. With that said, let’s dive into it!
Synopsis
Titus’s mission was in the city-state of Crete, a large island in the Mediterranean Sea known in the ancient world for its moral corruption and cultural instability. By the first century, during the time Titus was serving there, the people of Crete had developed such a negative reputation that even their own writers criticized them. Paul quotes one of their own prophets in Titus 1:12, saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons,” a statement he affirms as true. The phrase “to Cretanize” had even become a common expression, meaning to lie or deceive. This gives us a clear picture of what Crete was like—a society marked by dishonesty, excess, and a lack of self-control. The culture was heavily influenced by Greek paganism, including the worship of Zeus, whom they claimed was born on the island, further contributing to distorted views of truth and morality.
Titus was left in Crete by Paul sometime around A.D. 62–65, after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, with the mission of organizing and strengthening the churches there (Titus 1:5). The reason Paul sent Titus was because the young churches were surrounded by false teaching, ungodly behavior, and a culture that opposed sound doctrine. Titus’s task was not easy—he had to appoint qualified elders, confront false teachers, and help believers live godly lives in the midst of a corrupt society. The “how” of the situation is seen in Paul’s instructions: the transformation of Crete would not come through culture change first, but through the preaching of truth, the establishment of strong leadership, and lives that reflected godliness. In a place known for its wickedness, the gospel was meant to stand in sharp contrast, showing that even in the darkest environments, God’s truth can produce changed lives.
Evaluation of the Word
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 1:1-4 NKJV
In Titus 1:1–4, Paul introduces himself with both humility and authority, identifying himself as a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. His calling is not self-appointed but divinely given, rooted in advancing “the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1). This establishes a foundational truth for the Christian life: sound doctrine is never meant to remain intellectual, but is designed to produce godly living. Paul’s teaching here aligns with his words to Timothy, where Scripture is described as essential for shaping a believer’s life and character.
“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV
Paul continues by anchoring the believer’s faith in the hope of eternal life, a promise that originates not in time but in eternity past, declared by a God “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). This assurance highlights the unchanging and trustworthy nature of God’s character. Unlike man, whose words may fail, God’s promises are certain and secure, as affirmed in the Old Testament.
“19 God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
Numbers 23:19 NKJV
Paul then explains that this truth, once hidden in God’s eternal plan, has now been revealed “in due time” through the preaching of the Word (Titus 1:3). The gospel is not a human invention but a divine revelation entrusted to faithful messengers by the command of God. This emphasizes the central role of preaching in God’s redemptive plan, echoing elsewhere in Scripture that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. Finally, Paul addresses Titus as “a true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4), revealing a deep spiritual relationship built through discipleship and shared belief. He closes his greeting with “grace, mercy, and peace,” blessings that flow from both God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior, again affirming the unity and divinity within the Godhead. Altogether, these opening verses set the tone for the letter by emphasizing that truth leads to godliness, God’s promises are trustworthy, and the gospel message is central to both faith and life.
Stay the course for the Kingdom
Austin