Letter 12 of 14 · Overview available
Titus
The grace of God has appeared, training us to live godly lives as we await Christ's appearing.
Titus, a Gentile coworker (Gal 2:1–3), was left in Crete to "put what remained into order" and appoint elders in every town (1:5). The letter connects doctrine and conduct: older and younger men and women, slaves, and the whole church should adorn the teaching of God.
Two compact gospel summaries (2:11–14; 3:4–7) ground this: salvation by mercy, "not because of works," through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
- Date
- c. AD 63–65
- Written from
- Macedonia or en route to Nicopolis
- Recipients
- Titus, in Crete
- Chapters
- 3
- Stage
- After Acts (if released)
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Written after ministry in Crete, as Paul planned to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 1:5; 3:12).
Scholarly note: See the note on 1 Timothy. Sources
Why Paul wrote it
Disorder and false teachers in Crete.
Why it matters today
It shows how grace transforms everyday character.
Related Acts passages
- Acts 27:7–13 (Crete)
The World Behind the Letter
Cretans had a poor reputation in antiquity; 1:12 quotes a Cretan poet traditionally identified as Epimenides.
Purpose and Problems
Literary Structure
- 1
Elders and false teachers · 1:1–16
- 2
Sound teaching for households · 2:1–15
- 3
Good works in society · 3:1–15
Key passages
Passage-by-Passage
Theological Themes
Explore across letters
My Notes
Sources
- Philip H. Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus (NICNT, 2006)