Pauline Epistles · New Testament
Titus
c. AD 63
- Section
- Pauline Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 63
- Written
- c. AD 63
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Paul instructs Titus, whom he left to organize the churches on Crete, to appoint qualified elders, silence false teachers, and teach sound doctrine to every group. The grace that brings salvation also trains believers to live godly lives and be zealous for good works.
Historical setting: Organizing the church on Roman Crete; the Second Temple still standing, Judea under Roman rule.
Key themes
- Sound doctrine
- Qualified leaders
- Good works
- Grace that transforms
- Godly living
The letter's charge
- Paul tells Titus to appoint qualified elders in every town on Crete
- Rebellious, deceitful false teachers must be silenced
- Teach sound doctrine to older men and women, the young, and servants
- The grace of God trains us to live godly lives while awaiting Christ
- Saved by his mercy, be careful to devote yourself to good works
Key lessons
- Grace does not oppose godliness but produces it; the same grace that saves us also “teaches us” to renounce sin and live self-controlled, upright lives. Titus 2:11–12
- Sound teaching and healthy living belong together; leaders must set the example, and every believer’s conduct is meant to “adorn the doctrine” they profess. Titus 2:7–10
- Good works are not the root of salvation but its fruit; saved by God’s mercy, believers are to devote themselves to doing good. Titus 3:8
“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;”
Critical scholarship view
Where mainstream critical scholarship dates or attributes this book differently from the traditional view above.
- Written
- Disputed; possibly c. AD 90–100
- Author
- Pseudonymous, an unknown author writing in Paul’s name