15. TITUS
15. TITUS
Contents
The opening greeting (Titus 1:1-4) is longer than Paul’s usual greeting and contains a reminder that God has promised eternal life and brought it to pass in due course. Paul has left Titus in Crete to set things in order in the church, and he now urges him to appoint elders in every town, giving directions about the kind of person required for this office (1:5-9). There is a contrast with the "many rebellious people” to be found in Crete; Paul warns Titus against them (1:10-16). He goes on to detail what must be taught to older men (2:2), older women, who will teach younger women (2:3-5), young men (2:6 8), and slaves (2:9-10). All believers are to live uprightly, awaiting "the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2:11-15). People in authority are to be obeyed (3:1-2). There is a contrast between the way people lived before they became Christians and the good lives that follow Christ’s saving work in them (3:3-8). They should avoid foolish divisions (3:9-11). The letter is rounded off with some instructions about various individuals and then closing greetings (3:12-15).