Day 299

Jeremiah 49:23–50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1–98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16

TODAY WE BEGAN Paul’s letter to Titus —the third of the Pastoral Letters. As we’ve previously discussed, these are personal letters to specific men to whom Paul had entrusted much. They were sons in the faith to Paul.

Titus was an early convert through the apostle Paul’s ministry and was a part of it thereafter. He was trusted enough to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to attend the Jerusalem council referred to in the book of Acts. This was the council where church leaders were making a pivotal decision about whether conversion to Judaism (including male circumcision) was required for Gentiles to be accepted into the community of Christ. Titus was a Gentile at this Jewish council, and his presence was instrumental in the outcome. Ironically, Titus isn’t mentioned in the book of Acts. We know him only through Paul’s letters.

The most likely scenario for this letter is that Paul was released from his first imprisonment in Rome and Titus subsequently accompanied Paul to the island of Crete in order to share the Good News. The message of Jesus had apparently never been introduced to Cretans, who were notoriously carnal. When Paul preached there, new faith sprang up, and Paul left Titus to form leadership among the churches and to navigate the cultural clash already happening among the believers. Titus was suited for this work. Paul had sent him as an ambassador carrying several letters into complicated situations.

Paul sent this letter to Titus on the island of Crete after he’d departed, about the same time that he wrote the personal letter that we now know as 1 Timothy. The letter was intended to encourage Titus and also to give him apostolic authority in writing. In other words, Titus was authorized to act in Paul’s name organizing the newly formed communities on Crete. In doing this, Titus would need to appoint pastors and deacons, so Paul gave criteria for those who seek ordained ministry, as he did in his first letter to Timothy.

The book of Titus is an intimate look at the instructions given from a spiritual father to his spiritual son, who had been commissioned to do a big job in a short amount of time. But Titus had been faithful and successful in all that Paul had asked him to do, and Paul wanted Titus to be empowered and confident in the task at hand. Today, most denominations throughout the world consult the letter to Titus for their ordination processes. It is a treasured letter for those in spiritual leadership and continues to give us insights into the formation and advancement of our faith.

WORSHIP:

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the LORD and praise his holy name!