Titus

by Greg Neely, North York, Ontario, Canada | Category: Lives As Lessons | Dec 1996

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, not '... as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh ... for you are still fleshly' (1 Cor. 3:1,3). Titus was sent by Paul to this Church for their help. Of those who lived at Crete, the poet Epimenides wrote what Paul quoted: 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons' (Titus 1:12). Paul left Titus there to set their affairs in order and to appoint elders. Do these two assemblies sound like the kinds of churches of God to which you would like to be sent? What kind of qualities would a man need to have to be able to help churches with obvious problems such as these? Clearly, he would have to possess something of the grace and compassion, yet firmness and conviction, that were evident in the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus was such a man; one whom Paul described as 'my true child in a common faith' (Titus 1:4), 'my brother' (2 Cor. 2:13) and 'my partner and fellow worker among you' (2 Cor. 8:23). The apostle had great confidence in this faithful brother.

When Paul wrote to the Galatians about his visit to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles, he states that he took Titus with him (Gal. 2:1). Paul was preaching the gospel of salvation by faith apart from the works of the law, and there were some who were insisting on combining faith with works, and therefore, the necessity for circumcision, even for Gentiles. As an uncircumcised Greek (Gal. 2:3), Titus bore living testimony to the apostles of the justification by faith apart from the law and its requirements that Paul preached, 'for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly' (Gal. 2:21). And as an old man, Paul wrote to Titus to 'make ~very' effort to come to me at Nicopolis' (Titus 3:12). The 'child' endeared himself as both a 'brother' and a 'partner' with Paul as together they fought the good fight and came to the finish of the course, having kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

And Titus exhibited a Christ-like concern for others. That seems clear from what we read of him in connection with his work with the saints at Corinth. When Paul was anxious about the reception of his letter to the Church of God at Corinth, he looked for trusted Titus to report what had occurred there. And as the weight of concern about it burdened him to the point of being depressed (2 Cor. 7:6), God comforted him through the coming of Titus with the report that the Corinthian saints had amicably received the letter. God brought more

than comfort to Paul, however, through Titus. For Titus exhibited the joy of the Lord, having been refreshed by the saints in Corinth, and this caused rejoicing in Paul. Titus was comforted by the Corinthians, and passed along that comfort to Paul; he also was filled with joy as a result of their response to Paul's letter, and that joy was contagious to Paul, centred as it was in the work of the Lord (2Cor. 7:6, 13), whose work was Paul's life. Titus is an illustration of what Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians when he said that God '...comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God' (2 Cor. 1:4). The comfort we obtain from God is not only to make us comfortable in ourselves, but to make us comforters of others!

To the Church of God in Corinth, Paul wrote that 'it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy' (1 Cor. 4:2). Though often associated with stewardship of financial things, this verse is in the context of being a steward of the mysteries of God. It is evident from the work if which he was involved that Titus was a trustworthy steward in both aspects of his life. 'This gracious work' which Titus undertook in Corinth (2 Cor. 8:6) involved exhorting them to give of their financial means for the support of the poor in Jerusalem. They seem to have been deficient in their giving, in contrast to the churches of Macedonia. And he went having the same earnest care for them in his heart as did Paul (2 Cor. 8:17). He went of his own accord, truly a real life illustration before their eyes of what God looks for in a giver, whether of himself first, ~ later of his means:

'Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver' (2 Cor. 9:7). With this attitude of heart Titus went off to Corinth again, cheerfully giving himself to the Lord and to His saints. What a delightful imitation of His Lord and Saviour! As Paul was an imitator of Christ, and urged others to follow his example, so Titus conducted himself in the same spirit and walked in the same steps (2 Cor. 12:18). Paul must have been delighted to call Titus his partner and fellow worker.

The elder of a church of God must be without blame in regard to his family, and his character, and his teaching (Titus 1:6-9). The one sent to the church to appoint such men cannot be of any less quality. For the work Titus would have to do in Crete would be such that he must be a good example of Christ. His work included refuting those who contradicted the sound doctrine (1:9); silencing rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers who upset families (1:10,11); severely reproving those who taught what they should not teach (1:13); shunning foolish controversies (3:9); warning those who were factious and rejecting them, as necessary (3:10). This is not 'child' work, but 'brother' and 'partner' work

for the man whose life exhibits the character of Christ. Indeed, he must be someone who has administrative gift and divine perspective (1:5); be himself an example of good deeds with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach (2:7,8); respected (2:15); confident (3:8). He obviously conducted himself in a manner that was above reproach among saints in the Church of God at Corinth who themselves had difficulty keeping the world and its sin outside. And it is clear that Paul had the confidence in Titus to leave him on the island of Crete, completely isolated from the other churches of God in the Fellowship of God's Son at that time. And later, Paul told Timothy that Titus was in Dalmatia (the former Yugoslavia), perhaps again pastoring and teaching the saints, and giving them an example. He was clearly a man who was trustworthy, without the apostles' supervision, as a steward of the mysteries of God. 'These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you' (Titus 2:15).

An effective teacher must first learn and apply to himself the truths he wishes to impart to others. Paul knew that Titus passed that test when it came to good deeds. As Titus was himself to be an example (Gr. tupos, pattern) of good deeds (2:7), so also he was to remind the saints to 'be ready for every good deed' (3:1), that 'those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men' (3:8). 'And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful' (3:14). After all, Christ Jesus 'gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds' (2:14). About those who were unbelievers, Paul wrote that 'by their deeds they deny Him' and that they were 'worthless for any good deed' (1:16). What a blessing to know that 'when the kindness of God our Saviour and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy ...' (3:4,5). Titus knew and practised and taught that deeds done before salvation mean nothing to God, and cannot save us. He saves us according to His mercy. But those who have been regenerated and renewed in Christ must be examples, ready, fully engaged and zealous for good deeds. Titus was an example of just such a man; the Corinthians could confirm that, 'Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?' (2 Cor. 12:18). Titus had not been a financial burden to them, though he expected to be well cared for by them as a partner in the Lord's work with them as well as with Paul. He was more concerned with supplying them with what they needed, himself zealous for good deeds. And in the character, lifestyle and teaching of Titus, Christ is illuminated and glorified.

Biblical quotations from NASB

Greg Neely, North York, Ontario, Canada | Dec 1996
Lives As Lessons