A mission for Titus: (chap.1):
Paul encourages Titus to straighten some of the mis-conceptions and confusions prevailing in the churches of Crete. Titus was a tough young man saved through the teaching of Paul, and he is a Greek, Paul shows his intention that Titus work and win them for Christ.
Greetings: (1:1-4):
Paul calls himself as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Any one who is the servant of Christ is the servant of God. He uses the Greek word ‘Doulos’ which has the meaning of bondservant. This is the most abject term and it is also the word for a slave by choice. Yes it is never too low to be the bond servant of the Almighty God. Paul gave himself a title of Apostle, because he knew that God has called him for a special task of preaching the Gospel to Gentiles. He is also called as Apostle of Gentiles. He was also called to the apostle for the faith of God’s elect. God has elected His people before the foundation of the world. They respond to God’s calling and follow to live after the Gospel. While in his greetings, he mentions 2-important virtues every believer must possess.
- Knowledge of truth leads to Godliness: (1:1b): Godliness is must for every believer. Gospel changes a life from ungodliness (Titus 2:12) to holy living. It is very unfortunate that many people in today’s churches are living in ungodliness like the members of churches in Crete. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He not only saves us but makes our lives godly. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor.5:17). We also have hope for the future (Titus 1:2). We are born again “unto a living hope” (1 Pet.1:3) because we have trusted the living Christ. Every believers has eternal life now (Jn.3:16), but when Christ returns, we will enjoy eternal life in an even greater way.
- The hope of eternal life: (1:2): Further Paul writes that there is a great hope of eternal life which God has promised. It is not a lie. The eternal life is not a wish, but the anticipated hope which will become a reality through the promise of God who does and cannot lie. In hope of eternal life, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. The Cretans are notorious and they are liars. So Paul uses the contrast word. The foundation of our faith us trust in God’s character. Because God is truth, He is the source of all truth and He cannot lie. God has promised this hope from eternity past and He cannot default on His word. Although it was picturised under a shadow in the OT, now though the Gospel, God has revealed fully to us. The Word came to light in the message God gave Paul to preach. God’s eternal plan of Salvation is to salvage a people for Himself.
- The Word was revealed in due time: (1:3): Paul knew that practicing and preaching the Gospel was the only to spread the Gospel. When Paul was given this task by the Lord Jesus Christ, he knew that it was the right time because the world was under the Roman Empire. Christianity came into the world when it was the uniquely possible to spread message rapidly. We can see some of the reasons:
- There was a common language (Greek), which was the language of trade, business and literature.
- The Roman Empire had virtually no frontiers as they were spread into almost the entire world.
- Travel was relatively easy and safe of the presence of Roman empire made roads and sea routes.
- The world was largely at peace under Roman Empire.
- “There was never a time when the hearts of men were more open to receive the message of salvation which the Christian missionaries brought.” (Barclay)
The conditions were favourable. But today’s conditions are more favourable to spread the Gospel. The doors for the Gospel are more open, specially in third world countries. It is time that everyone to launch out the proclamation of the Gospel in every possible way so that the present generation may be reached with the Gospel. The church is responsible for the completion of this task.
With this introduction, Paul sends this special letter to Titus. Titus was called as “my true son” just as Timothy. Paul sent Titus to Corinth on several special occasions to help the church which was in trouble. Paul and Titus also travelled together to Jerusalem (Gal.2:3) and to Crete (1:5). Titus had leadership ability and Paul gave him leadership responsibility urging him to use his abilities as well.