they worked together in the city of Ephesus. The first epistle to the Co rinthian church was written there and carried to the recipient by Titus. The young co-laborer also endeav ored to heal any divisions in the church. He was to help complete a collection for the poor saints in the church at Jerusalem. This had been started but never completed and de livered to those who were oppressed in the Holy City (II Cor. 8:60). We next hear of Titus when Paul left him on the island of Crete (Ti tus 5:1), that he might set in order the things which were needed. Bible scholars agree that this probably oc curred in 62 A.D., after Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome. The arrange ments for the stay at Crete were temporary (Titus 3:12). Titus was also with Paul in Rome during his second imprisonment. He didn’t remain there for the trial but to go into Dalmatia (II Tim. 4:10). While tradition makes certain sug gestions about his ministry and death, the Bible is silent on the point, and it would be best for us not to speculate with mere theories. For now, may I urge you to read, and then re-read again, this short epistle in its entirety at one time. It will take on new spiritual meaning and blessing as you follow such an im portant practice. C hapter Two I N THE epistle of Paul to Titus, we have the divine order for local churches. I trust yqji will follow our suggestion and read this book en tirely through in one sitting. It’ll take you only a few moments and be of important help in gaining the proper perspective of the Holy Spir it’s message. As we begin the study with the first verse, we’re struck by the simi larity in his other letters. He testi fies, “Paul, a servant of God, and an
STUD IES IN THE BOOK OF TITUS by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson, Biola Hour Teacher and Pastor o f Bethany Baptist Church, West Covina, California C hapter O ne O ne of the most in te r e s tin g epistles in the New Testament is the one penned under the inspira tion of the Holy Spirit by Paul to a young man by the name of Titus. His name appears only in the writ ings of the Apostle. By birth, Titus was a Gentile. He is called a Greek (Gal. 2:3). He had not been circumcised, probably up to the time of his conversion, since his parents were undoubtedly Greeks. From the first chapter of this letter and verse four, it is clear that Titus was brought to Christianity and to Christ by the Apostle Paul. We have no further record of his home, nor the date of his conversion to the Lord Jesus. Titus went with the Apostle Paul to Jerusalem when, with Barnabas, he was sent there by the church at Antioch. The purpose was to an swer certain questions before the apostles and the elders of the church concerning converts among the Gen tiles. (Study Acts 15 in comparison with Galatians 2:1.) Titus may have been taken to Jerusalem to serve as an example through which Paul could illustrate that God had saved Gentiles as well as Jews. Notice the testimony of Acts 15:19-20. We be lieve that later Titus traveled with the apostle Paul, laboring with him much of the time (II Cor. 8:23). There are yet other verses which would tend to assure us that Titus was Paul’s companion in the Gospel ministry (II Cor. 2:13; 7:7, 13; 12:18; II Tim. 4:10). Titus was like a spiritual son to Paul. No doubt 28
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