Background

Titus is a pastoral letter written by the Apostle Paul, likely between AD 62-64, to Titus, a fellow worker and leader in the early church. Titus was a Greek convert to Christianity and a trusted companion of Paul, often deployed to challenging pastoral assignments. Paul had left Titus in Crete to strengthen and organise the local churches by appointing qualified leaders and addressing false teachings that had begun to infiltrate the Christian community there.

The purpose of the letter is threefold: (1) to instruct Titus on how to appoint elders who are sound in doctrine and character; (2) to provide guidance on fostering godly living among different groups within the church (such as older men and women, younger people, and slaves); and (3) to encourage good works and sound teaching in a culture that was known for its moral laxity and falsehood.

Key Themes

Church Leadership and Elders: one of the central themes of Titus is the importance of qualified leadership. Paul emphasises that church elders must be of high moral character, holding firm to sound doctrine in order to teach and protect the church from false teachings (Titus 1:5-9).

Godly Living and Good Works: Paul stresses the necessity of living out the faith in practical ways. Believers are called to live upright, self-controlled lives, showing integrity and engaging in good works. This is seen as a powerful testimony to the gospel, especially in a morally corrupt environment (Titus 2:7, 2:12, 3:1-2).

Sound Doctrine: The letter frequently contrasts sound teaching with falsehood. Paul warns against myths, false doctrines, and divisions that could undermine the faith of believers. The call to maintain sound doctrine is not only for leaders but for all believers, as it serves as the foundation for godly living (Titus 1:10-16, 2:1).

The Grace of God: one of the most beautiful sections of the letter focuses on the transforming grace of God, which teaches believers to renounce ungodliness and live righteous lives (Titus 2:11-14). This theme underscores that the ability to live godly lives is rooted in God’s grace, not human effort.

The Message for Today

The message of Titus is deeply relevant in today’s context, especially for churches grappling with leadership, discipleship, and cultural challenges. Paul’s emphasis on the character and qualifications of church leaders remains crucial for establishing and maintaining healthy congregations. The letter also provides timeless wisdom for encouraging believers to live lives that reflect their faith, acting as a witness in a world often at odds with Christian values.

In a culture where moral standards fluctuate and false teachings abound, Titus reminds modern readers of the importance of holding fast to biblical truth while living in ways that set believers apart. Good works, rooted in the transforming grace of God, are not a means to salvation but a demonstration of it. They provide evidence of faith and bear witness to God’s work in the life of the believer.

The Different Kingdom Lens

Titus highlights the countercultural nature of Christian living and leadership. In the Kingdom of God, leadership is not about power or prestige, but about serving with integrity, humility, and a commitment to sound teaching. Paul’s instructions to Titus about appointing elders illustrates a Kingdom that values godly character over worldly success or influence.

Titus also reflects the cross-centred nature of the Kingdom. The grace that Paul emphasizes is rooted in Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, and this grace empowers believers to live lives marked by humility, self-denial, and service to others. The Kingdom’s values are starkly opposed to the values of the world. Where the world may emphasise personal freedom and self-interest, the Kingdom calls believers to self-control, purity, and good works—reflecting the life of Jesus.

The letter also challenges the cultural norms of Crete, a society Paul describes as full of “liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). In contrast, the Kingdom of God calls believers to reject the falsehoods and moral decay of their culture, living instead in accordance with God’s truth. The life of the believer, then, is meant to be a witness to the world, not by conforming to it, but by demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in word and deed.