Titus was a Greek, a Gentile believer, whom Paul called his true child in a common faith. Paul took him to Jerusalem as a test case, and the apostles did not force him to be circumcised. His presence there helped settle that Gentiles did not have to become Jews to follow Jesus.
Paul sent him into the middle of the hardest situation he faced, a painful letter to the Corinthians. When Titus came back with good news, Paul wrote that God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. Later Paul left him in Crete to put things in order and appoint elders, and wrote him a letter about it. The last we hear, he had gone to Dalmatia.
“
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
Name means
A Latin name
Home
Not recorded; a Greek, likely from Syrian Antioch
Role
Paul's coworker; leader on Crete
Read in
; ; ;
Titus's story
Setting things in order
Beginning
A Greek in Jerusalem
Not compelled to be circumcised.
Low point
Missing at Troas
Paul has no rest because he cannot find Titus.
High point
Comfort from Macedonia
He arrives with good news from Corinth.
High point
Sent back with the gift
He returns to Corinth to finish the collection.
Turning point
Left in Crete
To put things in order and appoint elders.
Ending
Gone to Dalmatia
Still serving where he was sent.
Starts as a Greek test case. Ends as a builder of churches on Crete.
Where Titus lived and went
Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.
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How Titus is wired
Why there's no type here
Titus never speaks in Scripture; we know him only through Paul's letters, too little to type him honestly.
Strengths & struggles
What's good in Titus
Trusted with hard tasks (; ). Earnest care (). Honest with money ().
Where Titus struggles
Scripture records no failings.
What Titus wanted most
Scripture does not say. Paul says he had earnest care for the Corinthians ().
Titus's whole letter rests on grace that appeared.
Paul reminded him that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people (). Jesus gave himself to redeem us (), and he saved us not because of works done by us but according to his own mercy (). That was the message Titus carried to Crete.
Questions to sit with
1
Paul's spirits lifted when Titus walked in. Whose arrival does that for you, and for whom are you that person?
2
Titus was sent to messy churches. Where is God asking you to help set things in order?
Study Titus with your group
Ready-to-lead group studies with discussion questions and a leader's note are on the way.
