If this is the visit of Acts 11 and 12, Titus was then a companion of Paul before the first missionary journey. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 1915. 2023 Insight for Living Ministries. Some suggest that this visit is to be identified with the famine-relief visit in Acts 11 and 12 (e.g., Bruce); others, with the Jerusalem Council visit in Acts 15 (e.g., Ridderbos). And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. In the first place we learn that he was originally converted through St. Pauls instrumentality. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Y The decision was in favor of the free promulgation of the gospel, as preached by Paul, and unrestricted by Jewish ordinances. This is essentially an ethnic joke, an example of Paul using slightly off-color humor. He said to have been permanent bishop in the island, and to have died there at an advanced age. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword. But the king of Egypt said to them, Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Paul wasn't messing around when he wrote this letter to Titus, a Greek follower of Jesus who helped Paul navigate tight situations (see Galatians 2:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 7-8). PDF Interesting Facts About Titus - Bible Charts Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. There is still room to turn around. What Was Crete Like in Paul's Day? (Titus) - Biblical Foundations Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. He was also a young Christian missionary and pastor, and a disciple of the apostle Paul. The all-too-common phenomenon of pastors kids not following their parents faith and its becoming clear that their parents were emotionally absent proves this in a very sad way. Such abundance and prosperity are holy and pleasing to God. The matter in dispute was decided as recorded in Acts 15:13-29. I am a pastor in Kenya. Titus: Working for Good Deeds Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project. He rejoined the apostle when he was in Macedonia, and cheered him with the tidings he brought from Corinth ( 7:6-15 ). Destruction Of Jerusalem. The absence of the name from the Acts of the Apostles complicates precise integration into Lukes account of Pauls missionary activity. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. Listen to Chuck Swindolls overview of Titus in his audio message from the Classic series Gods Masterwork. Titus was a Gentile Christian (Galatians 2:3), possibly a convert of Paul (Titus 1:4). "Entry for 'TITUS'". Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die. So Elijah went. What is Titus in the Bible? Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 2:13 Commentaries: I had no rest for my spirit, not Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. Publisher: OpenBible.info. Assuming this information is correct, and given the fact that many early Christians were martyred (John was the only one of the apostles to die of old age), its possible that Titus died by martyrdom. Here we see Titus in close association with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch. The absence of the name from the Acts of the Apostles complicates precise integration into Luke's account of Paul's missionary activity. This is the first resurrection. Titus was written between A.D. 62-64, while Paul ministered to Macedonian churches between his first and second Roman imprisonments, from either Corinth or Nicopolis (cf. Titus - Grace to You Start for FREE. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. J 2 Corinthians 8:18 But he answered them, You see all these, do you not? All rights reserved. For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. What Does Titus Mean? Bible Definition and References - Bible Study Tools Titus 1New International Version. Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. I He seems to have accompanied Paul during the third missionary trip. ( Titus 1:4 ) Next we learn the various particulars of the responsible duties which he had to discharge. St. Pauls first imprisonment is concluded, and his last trial is impending. The origin of the church there is unknown, but may have been started by the same returning Cretans who were present at Pentecost (see Acts 2:11). Family is just as important as ministry.When Paul lists an elders qualifications, he highlights that they need to be not just good with content but also good husbands whose children have inherited their faith (Titus 1:6). For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. This grace of God instructs us to live upright and godly lives in this present age (2:113:8). The offering for the Judaean churches was still pending in Corinth and from Macedonia Paul sent Titus to Corinth to complete this expression of fellowship with the other churches (2 Cor 8:6, 16). N I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. Apparently Titus was a convert of Paul. He appears to have been a Gentile, and to have been chiefly engaged in ministering to Gentiles; for Paul sternly refused to have him circumcised, inasmuch as in his case the cause of gospel liberty was at stake. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. The three pastoral epistles may be favorably compared. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. And God separated the light from the darkness. ( 2 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 8:17 ) that he would see to the completion of the collection. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Paul's action therefore in regard to Titus was justified. 8:16-23); he is the recipient of this letter. Emperor of Rome (a.d. 79-81). Such were Paul's plans; whether they were carried out is unknown. They place their trust not in whether they will be treated well in this life, but in the eternal promise of salvation. I use all as my study material. honourable, was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, and accompanied them to the council at Jerusalem ( Galatians 2:1-3 ; Acts 15:2 ), although his name nowhere occurs in the Acts of the Apostles. From Rome he was sent into Dalmatia, no doubt on some important missionary errand. In the fragment by the lawyer Zenas, Titus is called bishop of Gortyna. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. When Titus did not appear, Paul traveled on to Macedonia. 1. Titus may be the person who delivered the 2 Corinthians letter to the Corinthian church after he wrote it. Crete soon after Peters sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:11), Paul and Titus likely did a good deal of evangelism on the island in the weeks before Paul commissioned Titus to a leadership position there. But this at least is certain, that Titus did rejoin Paul, if not at Nicopolis, then at some other spot; and he was with him in Rome on the occasion of his 2nd imprisonment there, for he is mentioned once again (2Timothy 4:10) as having gone to Dalmatia, evidently on an evangelistic errand, as the apostle was in the habit of sending his trusted friends to do such work, when he himself was no longer able to do this, owing to his imprisonment. As a young man Titus served as a tribune of the soldiers in Germany and Britain, and later accompanied his father, Vespasian, to Pal. In any case, nothing is recorded concerning Titus mission work until the third missionary journey shortly after Pauls lengthy stay at Ephesus (Acts 19:1, 17, 26, 35). Whether Titus did join the apostle at Nicopolis we cannot tell; but we naturally connect the mention of this place with what St. Paul wrote, at no great interval of time afterward, in the last of the Pastoral Epistles, ( 2Timothy 4:10 ) for Dalmatia lay to the north of Nicopolis, at no great distance from it. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. What does Paul mean by "sound doctrine" in Titus 2:1 Written in A.D. 64 from Asia Minor. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. It does not appear to be a question here of where Paul lodged, but where he preached. He is also to look for the arrival in Crete of Artemas and Tychicus, ch. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Though it is not certain, some scholars believe that he and Titus were brothers, based on II Corinthians 8:18. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. The most prominent cities in the early Roman period were Gortyn (the administrative capital, known for its celebrated "Gortyn Code," a set of classical codified laws), Knossos (a Roman colony most likely established by Augustus famous for its Bronze Age palace), and the less-explored Eleutherna, Hierapytna, and Kydonia. M He is later sent by Paul to Corinth to straighten out certain disorders in the church there and to initiate an offering for the poor saints at Jerusalem (2 Cor. Although he is not mentioned in the book of Acts, he could be one of the "other believers" of Acts 15:2. This relentless enemy of Christians (Acts 8:3; 22:5, 19; 26:11; Gal. Paul. This island, southeast of Greece, was about 150 miles long and 35 miles wide, thus making it the largest of the Mediterranean islands. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. Paul reflects very favorably upon Titus genuine devotion and pastoral concern (2 Cor 8:16, 17). %PDF-1.3 The futility of heresy (Titus 1:10-16, 3:9-11). The Cretans were relatives of the Philistines. 2 Timothy 4, which Paul wrote shortly before he died as his final message to Timothy, mentions that Titus had gone to the Roman province of Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10). As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. He is not mentioned in the Acts. Titus is instructed to come to Nicopolis on the W coast of Greece (Titus 3:12) to spend the winter there with Paul. So little is known about him that no one can positively state where he made his home, but most scholars feel it was in Philippi. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.. The matter in dispute was decided as recorded in Acts 15:13-29. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. Next he is to control and bridle, ver. 3. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. They are to teach what is good. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. From the Podcast: The Arch of Titus with Dr. Steven Fine The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons, The Greatest Villain - King Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. When Vespasian died in 79 Titus became emperor. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. And God saw that the light was good. In either case it would be a question why they went to these particular countries, with which, so far as we know, Paul, up to this time, had never had anything to do. In August of 79, Mt. Zenas and Apollos are in Crete, or expected there; for Titus is to send them on their journey, and to supply them with whatever they need for it. 1:15), Regarding the promise of eternal life (1 Tim. Lastly, the name of Titus was the watchword of the Cretans when they were invaded by the Venetians. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. If people still do not repent after the second warning, then Titus should have nothing more to do with them (Titus 3:10). Galatians 2 mentions that Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, apparently the trip mentioned in Acts 15 where they went to the Council at Jerusalem to debate whether Christians had to be circumcised. The highest mountain, Mount Ida, was the traditional birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. He has contributed over 1,200 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. In the biblical narrative, Luke appears suddenly but unobtrusively among Paul's companions in Troas. (For Titus 1:5-9, see 1 Timothy 3:1-13 above. And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. He soon went to Dalmatia (now Croatia). My spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. It can be safely assumed that all these references refer to the same individual. 3:12). The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Titus was the only Gentile individual to receive a New Testament epistle. Titus 1 NIV - Paul, a servant of God and an apostle - Bible Gateway 3. From the notices in this Epistle it appears that Titus had been sent by Paul, along with an unnamed "brother," to Corinth as the apostle's delegate to the church there (2Corinthians 12:18). What happened to Titus after that is not known, although according tosome Catholic sources he founded a church there in the city of Salona and died in 65 A.D. In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After various attempts to deal with these problems by correspondence and a personal visit, Paul sent Titus to attempt a reconciliation and resolution of the difficulties. Blog, A Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. Who Is Titus In The Bible? Story Interpretation | AshokStambh There is no further notice of Titus for some years afterward, when he is again mentioned in 2 Corinthians. 1:2 ), had become a beloved disciple (1:4) and . For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Some believe he may have been the brother of Luke. E Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. V And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. He was probably a convert of Paul (Titus 1:4). When Artemas and Tychicus arrived in Crete to direct the ministry, Paul summoned Titus to join him in Nicopolis, a city in the province of Achaia in western Greece ( Titus 3:12 ). He was the darling of the populace, good looking, affable to everyone. "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am going to set My face against . Apparently, Titus was successful in this mission (Rom 15:26) and the following spring Paul went to Jerusalem with this offering (Rom 15:25). Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Labs But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. In fact Titus was a representative or test case. Who Was Titus in the Bible? - Christianity.com Since Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile ( Galatians 2:3 ), his presence as Paul's disciple cut to the heart of this discussion. 2. Q Salem Media Group. In the interval between the two, he and Titus were together in Crete. What? Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Titus is a short book that packs a punch. 19:28 where it refers to mother nature. Titus background is not explained, other than the fact he was Gentile and apparently never circumcised (Galatians 2:4). 1. K For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. However, Paul made clear that a church that teaches and preaches sound doctrine will see results in the lives of its people. Paul advises Titus to handle these people by rebuking them to make them strong in the faith (Titus 1:13), and to give a first and second warning (Titus 3:10). All rights reserved. When Paul arrived in Troas, he did not find Titus (2 Cor 2:13). The man was Titus and the message was to stay there. ( Titus 3:12 ) and then is to hasten to join St. Paul at Nicopolis, where the apostle purposes to pass the winter. Sometimes shock-value is whats necessary. If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 2:1, 3; 2 Tim 4:10; for the 9 times in 2 Cor., see Background and Setting ). Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. View Chuck Swindoll's chart of Titus, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. Though Titus is not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, he possessed in a high degree the confidence of the Apostle (ch. Publication date: Feb 24, 2023. Our spouses and children are our first ministry and being a good Christian in public will not make up for neglecting that. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

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