Why is Titus in the Bible?

Thanks for visiting Bible Mountain. This is the first lesson in a series of lessons on the book of Titus. In this lesson I’m going to talk about why Titus is in the Bible.

When we ask why Titus is in the Bible, we need to divide that question into two stages. The first stage is to think about why Titus was originally written. In other words, at some point in the past a man sat down and wrote this letter we know of as the book of Titus. Why did he do that? What was happening in the world or in his life that prompted him to write this letter? What was he trying to communicate?

Once we understand that we can go to the second stage which is to determine why Titus is in the Bible. The short answer is that Titus is in the Bible because the Holy Spirit inspired it, but why did the Holy Spirit inspire it? What does the Holy Spirit want you and me to learn from this?

Watch the video or scroll down to read a transcript.

Transcript:

Thanks for visiting Bible Mountain. This is the first lesson in a series of lessons on the book of Titus. In this lesson I’m going to talk about why Titus is in the Bible. 

When we ask why Titus is in the Bible, we need to divide that question into two stages. The first stage is to think about why Titus was originally written. In other words, at some point in the past a man sat down and wrote this letter we know of as the book of Titus. Why did he do that? What was happening in the world or in his life that prompted him to write this letter? What was he trying to communicate?

Once we understand that we can go to the second stage which is to determine why Titus is in the Bible. The short answer is that Titus is in the Bible because the Holy Spirit inspired it, but why did the Holy Spirit inspire it? What does the Holy Spirit want you and me to learn from this?

To answer these questions, I’m going to read the book of Titus. It will take about five minutes. I know that is a lot of reading in a video, but as I read I want you to try and answer these two questions. Why was this originally written and why was this included in the Bible? 

I also want you to think about a third question. Is Titus familiar to you? As I read through Titus, do you recognize these verses, or do you feel like you have never heard this before? After I read Titus, I will answer the first two questions and give you something to think about in regards to the third question.

To Titus

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, 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and having faithful children who are not under charge of debauchery or rebellion. 7 For it is necessary for the overseer to be blameless as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, and not greedy, 8 but hospitable, loving the good, wise, fair, pious, self-controlled, 9 and adhering to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, so that he might be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute those who are contradicting.

Titus 1:10  For many are unruly, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision. 11 It is necessary to silence them. They are upsetting whole families, teaching things that are not necessary for the sake of shameful gain. 12 One of their own, a prophet, said of themselves, “Cretans are always liars, evil animals, and lazy gluttons.”

Titus 1:13  This testimony is true. For this reason, reprove them severely, in order that they might be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who are turning away from the truth. 15 Everything is pure to those who are pure, but to those who have been defiled and are unbelieving, nothing is pure. On the contrary, their mind and conscience were also defiled. 16 They claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable, disobedient, and worthless for every good deed.

Titus 2:1  But you, speak what is fitting for sound teaching. 2 Elderly men are to be sober, serious, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 Likewise, elderly women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, but a teacher of good, 4 in order that they might train the younger women to be loving their husbands, loving their children, 5 self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and submitted to their own husbands, in order that the word of God might not be blasphemed.

Titus 2:6  Likewise, urge the young to be in a right mind, 7 in everything presenting yourself as an example of good deeds and being in sound teaching, serious, 8 and healthy in speech that cannot be condemned, in order that the opponent might be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus 2:9  Urge slaves to be submissive to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not speaking against, 10 and not pilfering; rather, exhibiting all good faith so that they might adorn the doctrine of our Savior and God in everything.

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live wisely, justly, and godly in the present age, 13 waiting for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and cleanse to Himself a special people zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Titus 3:1  Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to verbally abuse no one, to be not a brawler but forbearing, and exhibiting every gentleness to all men. 3 For we also had been at one time foolish, disobedient, being deceived, serving as a slave to lusts and many pleasures, spending life in evil and envy, hated, and hating one another. 

Titus 3:4  But when the kindness and the love for mankind of God our Savior appeared, 5 not out of those works of righteousness which we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:8  The message is trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have come to believe God might be careful to do good works. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, strifes, and legal battles, for they are useless and empty. 10 Refuse a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a kind has been perverted and is sinning, being condemned. 

Titus 3:12  When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis because I decided to spend the winter there. 13 Earnestly send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing might be lacking to them. 14 Also, our people must learn to perform good deeds to meet the important needs so that they will not be unfruitful.

Titus 3:15  All those with me greet you. Greet those loving us in faith. Grace be with all of you.

That is the book of Titus. Let’s think about these two questions. Why was Titus originally written? Why is Titus in the Bible?

If we go back to the beginning of Titus, we see in the very first verse that this was written by Paul. Then in verse four we see it was written to Titus. That is helpful information because elsewhere, the Bible gives us information about Paul and Titus that helps us understand the context in which this was written. 

Paul was an apostle who traveled around the Roman world preaching the gospel. As Paul traveled, he had other men traveling with him, helping him. Titus was one of the men who helped Paul. Paul was also a mentor to Titus. 

Let’s go to verse 5.

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,

The pronoun I refers to Paul. The pronoun you refers to Titus. Paul had left Titus in Crete. The reason Paul wrote this letter to Titus was to give Titus instructions on what he was supposed to do while he was in Crete. 

Notice the phrase “as I commanded you”. Apparently, Paul had earlier given Titus some instructions about what he was supposed to do in Crete. I’m guessing those instructions were verbal. What we have with the book of Titus is Paul putting into writing some or all of the instructions he had previously given to Titus.

The first instruction Paul gave Titus was to appoint elders in each city. Then Paul listed the qualifications for elders. 

Let’s go to chapter 2. 

Titus 2:1  But you, speak what is fitting for sound teaching.

In addition to appointing elders, Titus was supposed to teach. Paul went on to list various categories of sound teaching. First, Paul gave instructions for elderly men and elderly women. In verse 6 he gave instructions for young people. In verse 9 he wrote about how slaves should treat their masters. Starting in chapter 3 Paul wrote about how all men are supposed to relate to the governing authorities. 

Let’s answer our questions. Why was Titus originally written? Paul wrote this letter to Titus to give Titus instructions on what he was supposed to do in Crete. Titus was supposed to appoint elders and he was supposed to teach. Paul listed the qualifications of elders and various precepts that Titus was supposed to teach.

Let’s answer the second question. Why is this in the Bible? Titus is in the Bible because the commands to elderly people, young people, slaves, and all citizens are directed at you and me as well as the people who were living in Crete during the lifetime of Paul and Titus. These are standards of living we need to live up to in order to live our life the way God wants us to live. 

Now let’s think about the third question. Is Titus familiar to you? I want to give you something to think about related to this question. 

First, I want you to place yourself on a continuum. As we read through the book of Titus, if these verses were new to you, verses you never read or heard before, then place yourself on the far left of the continuum. If these verses were very familiar to you, then place yourself on the far right of the continuum. If your familiarity with these verses was somewhere in between those extremes, then place yourself on the continuum accordingly.

Now I have a different question for you. How long have you been a Christian? If you are a brand new Christian, then place yourself on the far left of the continuum. If you have been a Christian for 30 years or more, then place yourself on the far right of the continuum. If your years of being a Christian is somewhere between zero and 30, then place yourself on the continuum accordingly. 

Now I want you to compare where you placed yourself on both continuums. If your familiarity with Titus is equal to or to the right of your years of being a Christian, that is good. However, if your familiarity with Titus is to the left of your years of being a Christian, I would like you to ask yourself why that is, especially if your familiarity with Titus is far less than your years of being a Christian. 

Are you unfamiliar with Titus because your church never talks about these concepts? If so, you may want to find a different church.

Are the teachings of Titus new to you because you have not put forth the effort to learn the Bible? If so, may I encourage you to reevaluate your priorities? The Bible contains teachings that you and I need to know. The Bible contains commands that we need to obey. We can’t obey God’s commands if we don’t know about them. We won’t know the teachings of the Bible unless we put forth effort to learn them. If you are unfamiliar with Titus despite years of being a Christian, may I encourage you to think of ways to put forth more effort to read, study, and know the Word of God.

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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)