Titus Blog 1

The authorship of Titus, like 1 and 2 Timothy is disputed among the scholars. Some believe that it was Paul and others do not. If Paul was the author then 1 Timothy was written around during the 60s AD (Smith 2143), however if Paul did not write it then the date of it is uncertain (Smith 2143). The pastoral epistle is addressed to Titus. According to Craig S. Keener, “the description of the opposition sounds much like what Paul addressed at Ephesus in 1 Timothy, suggesting that the error addressed there is spreading rapidly among Christian congregations. Paul’s old opponents, those of the circumcision group he encountered in Galatia, apparently continue to follow on is heels to ‘correct’ his converts” (Keener 634).

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passion our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, though the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3-7.

Those who have accepted Jesus have been freed, saved, reborn, and heirs. Talk about a rags to riches story! We were slaves to sin. Nothing we could do could free us. We could try good behavior. In fact, we probably did. We tried and failed. Then God stepped in and provided a way to be free. He took off the chains of our sin and told us that He loved us. Turns out His intervention had nothing to do with what we tried to do. Like Galatians says, our belief was what God saw. Even in our belief, we were not right enough for God to reward us. If God had simply freed us from our sin, that would have been more than enough, but God did not stop there. After He freed us, he saved us. After He saved us He is continuing to remain with us by His Holy Spirit.

The most beautiful Being in the entire universe who is pure love, pure holiness, and pure good (among other pureness) is with us and will remain with us forever! I love rediscovering this!


WORKS CITED

Keener, Craig S. “Titus,” Pages 634-641 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Abraham. “The Letter of Paul to Titus.” Pages 2143 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.