Titus: OUR ATTENTION turns next to the Epistle to Titus. The name of Titus is mentioned 12 times in other letters by Paul. He had faithfully 1 bored as a young worker with this apostle during the yea Now he had charge of the gospel work on the island f Crete. (Titus 1: 5.) This letter was written while Paul was en route to Nicopolis, on the west coast of Achaia (southern Greece). This rather indicates that it was composed in AD 64, the year when Rome was burned, and after Paul had been released from his first imprisonment. It apparently was written in the summer, for Paul says that he expected to spend the following winter at Nicopolis. (Titus 3: 12.) The letter contains sundry instructions, admonitions, and exhortations to Titus concerning his work as leader of the church in Crete. The qualifications for the office of bishop (or elder) are particularly described. Cautions against false teachers, and advice about how to deal with them, are given. Paul emphasizes the truth that Christians must live holy lives, for the grace of God “hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2: 11-14. Titus is exhorted to put the brethren “in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.” Titus 3: 1. Heretics are to be dis-fellowshipped after the first and second admonitions. (Titus 3. 10,11)
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 07:32:52 +0000