This Tuesday, we will be discussing Titus 1. I have attached an excerpt from Luke Timothy Johnson’s book Writings of the New Testament discussing Titus (beginning on page 444). As to Titus himself, we know very little about the man. Acts does not mention Titus. Paul writes about Titus In Galatians 2:3, where he tells us that Titus accompanied him to Jerusalem in his meeting with James and that Titus was an uncircumcised Greek. Paul also writes that Titus had been sent to Corinth ahead of Paul’s second visit to the city (2 Cor. 2:13, 7:6) and that Paul later sent Titus to Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10). Like Timothy, Titus is one of Paul’s companions that he trusts to oversee a congregation.
The situation in Titus is different than that in Timothy. Paul had sent Timothy to care for the congregation in Ephesus. Paul had spent two years building up that congregation (Acts 19) and it appears that the congregation already had leadership in place (1 Timothy 3). On the other hand, Titus appears to have been left by Paul with a nascent congregation in Crete. Paul’s journey to Crete was either insignificant or brief enough that neither Acts nor any letter of Paul mentions this missionary effort. Paul leaves Titus behind in Crete “to amend what is defective and to appoint elders.” (v.5). The letter itself is Paul’s reminder to Titus to teach his congregation to be (as we say in the South) “good people.”
We will be in Titus for three weeks. After Titus, we’ll spend about four weeks with Soren Kierkegaard and excerpts from his book Works of Love where he explores the nature of Divine Love and the commands that we Love. We will finish out the liturgical year with a discussion of the commandments in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).
Dinner is at 6. Menu is meatloaf. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here. Please bring a friend.
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who never lies, promised ages ago and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:1-4