Titus 1:1-5 What is your function in the body of Christ?

This is the third lesson in a series of lessons on the book of Titus. In this lesson I'm going to look at the first five verses and talk about the role each of us has in the body of Christ.

The first five verses of Titus tell us this letter was written by Paul and it was written to Titus. Therefore, in order to fully understand this book, it's helpful to understand the relationship between Paul and Titus. There are quite a few verses in the New Testament that tell us about their relationship.

In this lesson I'm going to start with a broad summary of Paul's life and ministry and how Titus fit into his ministry. Then I'll look at the first five verses of Titus to see how this letter to Titus fits into that history. After that I'll talk about the different roles that Paul and Titus had in building the church. Then at the end I’ll have some thought questions regarding the different roles that you and I have in the body of Christ.

Transcript:

Thanks for visiting Bible Mountain. This is the third lesson in a series of lessons on the book of Titus. In this lesson I'm going to look at the first five verses and talk about the role each of us has in the body of Christ.

The first five verses of Titus tell us this letter was written by Paul and it was written to Titus. Therefore, in order to fully understand this book, it's helpful to understand the relationship between Paul and Titus. There are quite a few verses in the New Testament that tell us about their relationship.

In this lesson I'm going to start with a broad summary of Paul's life and ministry and how Titus fit into his ministry. Then I'll look at the first five verses of Titus to see how this letter to Titus fits into that history. After that I'll talk about the different roles that Paul and Titus had in building the church. Then at the end I’ll have some thought questions regarding the different roles that you and I have in the body of Christ. 

I went to a concordance of the New American Standard Bible and searched for the name Titus. The name Titus appears in 12 different verses in the NASB. Those verses are in four different books: 2 Corinthians, Galatians, 2 Timothy, and Titus. 

Interestingly enough, the name Titus does not appear in the book of Acts. That's interesting to me because, from what we know about Titus, Titus was one of Paul's helpers during many of the events that are recorded in the Book of Acts. However, for some reason, Titus was not mentioned in the record of that story. I don’t believe we can conclude anything profound from that. I simply find it curious and interesting that Titus was not mentioned in Acts. 

Before I look at these verses about Titus to see what we know about the relationship between him and Paul, I want to summarize Paul's life and ministry so that we have that as a background to understand these verses about Titus. 

When we first read about Paul in the book of Acts, he was in Jerusalem persecuting the church. Then he went to Damascus to persecute the Christians in Damascus. While he was traveling to Damascus, there was a bright light which blinded him and Jesus spoke to him. Through that event, Paul became a Christian. 

Later in the book of Acts, Paul was in the city of Antioch. While he was there, God called Paul and Barnabas to go out and preach the gospel. They did so. First, they traveled to Cyprus. Then they went to Cilicia in Asian Minor. They preached the gospel in a handful of cities and then went back to Antioch. That excursion is what we call Paul’s first missionary journey.

After that first journey, some Jews came to Antioch from Jerusalem and claimed that Gentiles had to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses in order to be saved. There was much dissension about that, so much so that Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to get an answer to this question from the apostles and elders. The answer was no, the Gentile Christians did not have to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas took that answer back to Antioch. 

Next, Paul did his second missionary journey. He traveled into Cilicia and Asia Minor and visited some of the cities he had visited on his first journey. Then he travelled into Macedonia and Greece. One of the cities he visited was the city of Corinth. At the end of his journey he visited Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch. 

Paul did a third missionary journey which covered basically the same geographical area as the second journey. He traveled in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. Once again, he visited the city of Corinth. At the end of that journey, he went to Jerusalem. 

While Paul was in Jerusalem, he was arrested. The Jews accused him of desecrating the temple. Paul appealed to Caesar and was taken to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. 

That is the end of the book of Acts. Later, Paul was released from prison and did some more traveling and preaching. Eventually, he was put to death. 

That is the overall story of Paul's life. With that as some background, let's look at some verses in the New Testament that mention Titus and Paul. As we look at these verses, think about the role Titus had in Paul’s ministry. 

Gal. 2:1   Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 

This tells us that Titus was a traveling companion of Paul. We also learn that Titus was a Greek and was not circumcised. I mentioned earlier there had been some dissension in the early church about whether Gentiles had to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses in order to be saved. The answer was no. One of the things that's interesting about Titus is the fact that Titus was a Greek and was not circumcised and yet was one of Paul's traveling companions, one of Paul's helpers in ministry. The inclusion of Titus in Paul’s ministry was a tangible symbol that the Gentile believers did not have to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses. 

Let's go to 2 Corinthians. Titus was mentioned several times in this book. Again, as we read these verses, think about the role Titus had in Paul's ministry. 2 Corinthians was written by Paul.

2Cor. 2:12   Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.

Paul was traveling and Titus was not with him. Apparently Paul looked for Titus at Troas, but Titus was not there. Paul kept traveling and went to Macedonia. 

2Cor. 7:5   For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 

Paul was in Macedonia. Titus traveled from Corinth to Macedonia to join up with Paul. Titus had been comforted by the church in Corinth, and then Titus brought comfort from the church in Corinth to Paul. 

2Cor. 8:1   Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

Chapter 8 is about a collection for the poor. The Macedonians were poor themselves, but they earnestly wanted to contribute beyond their ability. Paul urged Titus to help the Corinthians make a contribution also. 

2Cor. 8:16   But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord. 

Titus did indeed go to Corinth. Then Paul made the following clear statement about Titus. 

2Cor. 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

Paul and Titus were partners and fellow workers. Let’s go to the 12th chapter of 2 Corinthians.

2Cor. 12:17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. 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?

Verse 17 refers to “any of those whom I have sent to you”. Apparently, Titus was only one of several men Paul sent to Corinth.

Let's go to 2 Timothy 4. This is towards the end of this letter. Paul was wrapping up his letter to Timothy.

2Tim. 4:9    Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

As Paul traveled around doing ministry, it was not just Titus who was traveling with Paul and going out on missions. Paul had a handful of men who assisted him. This was written to Timothy, so Timothy was a part of Paul's team. We also see references to Crescens, Luke, Mark, and Tychicus. Paul had sent these men to various cities. 

This creates for us a picture of Paul traveling around, doing his ministry, and having a handful of men who assisted him. Sometimes these men traveled with Paul. Sometimes Paul sent them on missions, either to take messages to churches or accomplish various tasks in these various churches. This tells us that Paul did not do his ministry alone. He had help. He had a team that assisted him. Titus was a member of that team.

Now let's go to Titus and read the first five verses, and see how the letter to Titus fits into this overall ministry that Paul and Titus were involved in. 

Titus 1:1  Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the elect of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to Godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which the God who never lies promised before the beginning of time. 3 He revealed His word in our days by a proclamation with which I was entrusted according to a command of God our Savior. 4 To Titus, a true child according to common belief. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus 1:5  For this reason I left you in Crete, in order that you might set in order the things that are lacking and appoint elders in each city as I commanded you,

Apparently, at one point, Paul was in Crete preaching the gospel. When he left Crete, he left Titus behind so that Titus could could wrap up Paul's ministry and set certain things in order, one of which was to appoint elders. Paul wrote this letter to Titus, giving him instructions on what he was supposed to do in Crete. 

This means the letter of Titus was a product of Paul's ministry. The same is true of all the books in the New Testament that were written by Paul. As Paul traveled around doing his ministry, he wrote letters to various men and various churches. In those letters he taught doctrine and gave instructions. Those letters became part of the New Testament because they contain doctrine that we need to know and commands that we need to obey today. 

The relationship between Paul and Titus illustrates something we see in the book of Romans. Let's go to Romans 12 and start reading at verse four.

Rom. 12:4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Paul wrote that there are many members in the body of Christ, but we don't all have the same function. We see that in the relationship between Paul and Titus. Paul was an apostle and had been entrusted with a message that Paul had to proclaim. Titus was part of a team of men who assisted Paul in his ministry. Paul, as the Apostle, was the leader of the team. Titus was a member of the team who submitted to Paul, took instructions from Paul, and carried out various tasks that were assigned to him by Paul. Both Paul and Titus were servants of Jesus, but what that looked like in daily life was different.

It is tempting in our society to look at Paul and Titus and think that Paul had the more important function. Yes, Paul had more authority than Titus. Paul was more visible than Titus. The New Testament tells us more about Paul than it tells us about Titus. However, that does not mean that Titus and his function were not important. Without Titus and the other men who worked with Paul, Paul would not have been able to do what he did in his ministry. 

We have something similar in our churches today. Today, there are some people who have roles in the Body of Christ that are very visible. There are other people who do things behind the scenes. Some people have authority in the Body of Christ. Other people do not. It’s tempting in our culture to think that the people with authority and visible roles are more important than the people who do things behind the scenes. However, without the people behind the scenes, the people with the visible roles would not be able to do what they do.

Let me give you something to think about. What is your function in the Body of Christ? What I mean by that is what is the best use of the gifts and abilities that God gave you? Paul had his function. Titus had a different function. The members of your church each have a different function. What is the best use of your skills and talents? If you don’t know the answer to that question, may I encourage you to evaluate your gifts, your abilities, and your experiences so that you can know for sure how God intends for you to serve Him?

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Scripture quotations from Titus taken from a translation by Bible Mountain.

“All other Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)