Post by Lee on May 31, 2014 2:33:41 GMT
WE know Titus to have been a companion and helper of Paul for a period of about 20 years, possibly longer, but he is only mentioned 4 times during that period:—
1. He went with Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem (about 50 AD) regarding the issue of the Gentiles being circumcised and
keeping the Law. Titus, a Gentile, was the test case. Paul refused to let him be circumcised, and the apostles supported
him, and the freedom of the Gentiles from the Law was established. Thereafter Titus was a living symbol of that freedom, as Timothy was of not needlessly offending Jews.
2. About 5 years later (about 55 AD), during Paul's 3-year stay at Ephesus, Titus was sent twice to Corinth concerning the
ecclesial troubles there, as we learn from the Corinthian epistles; and he was successful in correcting the problems and
reconciling the Corinthians to Paul. Due to the seriousness of the matter, and Paul's great concern, it would appear he considered Titus his most qualified fellow-laborer.
3. About 10 years later, (about 65 AD), as we learn from this epistle to him, Titus was left in Crete to complete the work
Paul had begun in organizing ecclesias in various cities there, and setting up suitable elders and a strong discipline for guiding the new ecclesias in constructive godliness. Here again he is chosen for a difficult and important task, and when the foundations were laid, he was to be relieved by Tychicus or Artemas, who would carry on, so he could be used for pressing work elsewhere. Clearly he was one of Paul's primary helpers.
4. Finally, a few years later in Paul's second letter to Timothy, in his second imprisonment just before his death, he
says Titus has gone to Dalmatia.
ACCORDING to this epistle, then, Titus was left in Crete to follow up and complete Paul's work of forming and organizing
ecclesias and arranging for elders to carry them on. Then he was to join Paul at Nicopolis (on the western shore
of Macedonia) where Paul was to make his headquarters for the winter in carrying on the Truth's work in a new region.
This would be just south of the Dalmatian coast, and doubtless the labors of Paul and Titus extended there, for later,
from Rome (in 2 Tim.) we have noted Paul sent Titus to Dalmatia. There is great emphasis in this epistle on the practical application of godliness. The leading thought of the epistle is the vital importance of good works in any who profess the Name of Christ— "ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS" is the key expression.
1968 Berean 238
1. He went with Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem (about 50 AD) regarding the issue of the Gentiles being circumcised and
keeping the Law. Titus, a Gentile, was the test case. Paul refused to let him be circumcised, and the apostles supported
him, and the freedom of the Gentiles from the Law was established. Thereafter Titus was a living symbol of that freedom, as Timothy was of not needlessly offending Jews.
2. About 5 years later (about 55 AD), during Paul's 3-year stay at Ephesus, Titus was sent twice to Corinth concerning the
ecclesial troubles there, as we learn from the Corinthian epistles; and he was successful in correcting the problems and
reconciling the Corinthians to Paul. Due to the seriousness of the matter, and Paul's great concern, it would appear he considered Titus his most qualified fellow-laborer.
3. About 10 years later, (about 65 AD), as we learn from this epistle to him, Titus was left in Crete to complete the work
Paul had begun in organizing ecclesias in various cities there, and setting up suitable elders and a strong discipline for guiding the new ecclesias in constructive godliness. Here again he is chosen for a difficult and important task, and when the foundations were laid, he was to be relieved by Tychicus or Artemas, who would carry on, so he could be used for pressing work elsewhere. Clearly he was one of Paul's primary helpers.
4. Finally, a few years later in Paul's second letter to Timothy, in his second imprisonment just before his death, he
says Titus has gone to Dalmatia.
ACCORDING to this epistle, then, Titus was left in Crete to follow up and complete Paul's work of forming and organizing
ecclesias and arranging for elders to carry them on. Then he was to join Paul at Nicopolis (on the western shore
of Macedonia) where Paul was to make his headquarters for the winter in carrying on the Truth's work in a new region.
This would be just south of the Dalmatian coast, and doubtless the labors of Paul and Titus extended there, for later,
from Rome (in 2 Tim.) we have noted Paul sent Titus to Dalmatia. There is great emphasis in this epistle on the practical application of godliness. The leading thought of the epistle is the vital importance of good works in any who profess the Name of Christ— "ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS" is the key expression.
1968 Berean 238