Paul doesn’t waste any time in his letter to Titus. He writes a brief salutation in the first three verses, and then, in verses four and five, says “hello,” and states his purpose for writing:
“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”
Titus was then given instruction in both areas: 1) selecting church leaders and 2) teaching the new believers on the Island of Crete the things that were still “wanting” (lacking) in their spiritual lives. In chapter two, Paul further tells Titus, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”
Notice that I called them “new believers.” Most likely, they were. Many of the instructions given by Paul to Titus imply this. His instructions to them were quite basic, but necessary. They were spiritual babies that needed to learn to apply the truths they were learning.
It’s important to understand that the Cretans (also called “Cretians”) were known for their sinful lifestyle. This reputation was not just true of one or two leaders on the island. No, it was a general statement that could be made about the culture as a whole. In fact, that statement that describes them was made by one of their own, as recorded in Titus 1:12, “Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”
My favorite part of this description comes next, with Paul’s summary comment at the opening of verse 13: “This witness is true.” [That cracks me up every time!]
I am probably at the very least a fourth- or fifth-generation believer. I have seen Christianity fleshed out in everyday living. I have role models, mentors, and examples to follow. I have godly counselors from whom I can seek wisdom.
In contrast, the people that Titus was to instruct were first-generation Christians. Most likely, they had only recently learned of Christ, never having had spiritual role models, mentors, or examples to follow. Titus was there to teach them how to live in a way that reflected the things they were learning about Christ, the One Who rescued them from the life of sin—the only life they had ever known.
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Only one more sleep! 🙂
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Thank you for taking time to read today’s post.
Please feel free to leave a comment or question about THE ABC’s of T2:3.
Hi Brenda,
You might wish to reconsider the idea that the believer’s on Crete were young. 3 reasons.
The first believers from Crete were saved 30 years prior to Paul writing the letter to Titus (Acts 2:11). They brought the gospel back to Crete and planted churches – so many churches that by the time Paul got to Crete there were churches in every town (Titus 1:5).
2) Titus is to appoint elders, which required mature Christian men in every city who were “not a new convert” (1 Tim. 3:6).
3) The doctrines and moral exhortations in Titus are not for new believers, but all believers at all stages of development and maturity.
4) Here’s a challenge: If “Titus was there to teach them how to live in a way that reflected the things they were learning about Christ” then why is Paul replacing him so soon – Titus 3:12? And why was Titus moving around town to town (Titus 1:5)?
Titus is appointing mature men (as measured against a set of objective standards 1:6-9) as elders in every town so they can teach and model godliness, as well as lead the churches away from ungodly leaders (Titus 1:10).