Titus

About Titus

Titus is a short letter of instructions for a young church leader on the island of Crete. Paul left Titus there to appoint trustworthy elders and to teach believers how sound faith shows up in daily life. Its heartbeat is that God's grace saves us and then trains us to live differently, so good works flow from salvation rather than earning it.

Written by

The letter presents itself as Paul's, written to his coworker Titus; most Christians through history have accepted that, though some modern scholars think a later follower of Paul wrote it in his name.

When

If Paul wrote it, it dates to the mid-60s AD, near the end of his life; scholars who see a later author place it closer to AD 80-100.

Themes

• Grace that trains us
• Good works
• Healthy church leadership
• Sound teaching
• Hope in Christ's return

Key verses

• Titus 2:11-14For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
• Titus 3:4-7But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.