New Testament · Epistle · Book 56 of 66
Book of Titus
A short letter on order and good works: appoint faithful leaders, teach sound doctrine, and live out the grace that saves.
3 Chapters
Titus 1–3
Author
Paul
Written
c. A.D. 62 – 64
Written To
Titus, in Crete
Overview
Book of Titus Summary
Paul had left Titus in Crete to put the churches in order and to appoint elders in every town (1:5). This short letter tells Titus how to do that work. It is one of the Pastoral Epistles, with 1 and 2 Timothy.
In chapter 1 Paul lists the qualities needed in elders and warns Titus about rebellious teachers who are upsetting whole households and must be rebuked. In chapter 2 he tells Titus to teach what accords with sound doctrine to older men, older women, younger women, younger men and slaves, and he grounds this in the grace of God, which has appeared and teaches us to say no to ungodliness and to wait for the appearing of our great God and Savior.
Chapter 3 reminds believers to be good citizens and gentle toward everyone. It recalls that God saved us not because of our righteous deeds but by His mercy, through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Paul wants people who have been saved this way to devote themselves to doing good, and the letter ends with personal instructions and greetings.
About the Name
Title
The letter is named for its recipient, Titus. The early Greek title is Pros Titon, “To Titus.” Titus was a Gentile convert whom Paul did not require to be circumcised (Galatians 2:1–3), and he served as Paul’s trusted representative to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6–7; 8:6, 16–17).
Crete is a large island in the Mediterranean south of Greece. Acts does not record how the churches there began, but Jews from Crete were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:11), and Paul’s ship stopped there on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7–13).
Who Wrote It
Author Details
The letter names Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, as its author (1:1), and calls Titus “my true son in our common faith” (1:4). The church has received it as Paul’s from the earliest centuries.
As with 1 and 2 Timothy, many modern scholars question that Paul wrote it because of differences in vocabulary and style. Others hold that Paul’s circumstances and use of a secretary explain them. This page follows the traditional view.
When It Was Written
Date of Writing
On the traditional view, Titus was written about A.D. 62–64, after Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment and around the time of 1 Timothy. The letter does not name the place of writing, but Paul plans to spend the winter at Nicopolis (3:12).
Titus was later sent on to Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10), so the letter was probably written before 2 Timothy.
Study Guide
Titus Outline
3 chapters in three parts. Tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it at BibleGateway.
Part I
Appointing Elders and Silencing False Teachers
Chapter 1 · Order in the churches of Crete
Part III
Doing Good Because of God’s Kindness
Chapter 3 · Saved by mercy, devoted to good works
Continue Your Study
Verse references link to the NIV at BibleGateway.