Paul and Titus
Introduction: Titus is not mentioned in the gospels or in Acts, so the only scriptural sources for the scant biographical information on him are Paul’s New Testament letters. It is interesting to compare the references to Titus in Paul’s letters, to related biographical sections about Paul in Acts, to glean additional information. This study will provide a fairly detailed introduction to Titus, to be a companion to the series of separate Bible studies that will cover the letter that Paul wrote to Titus. The name Titus is of Latin origin.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Were Gentile Christians Required to Be Circumcised?
Acts 11 “1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, ‘You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!’” Peter explained his vision and his experience with Cornelius and concluded: “17 If then God gave to them, when they had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the same as he gave to us, who was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!’”
Acts 13 “2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.’”
Comments: Acts chapter 11 indicates that Peter was among the earliest men to see the saving grace of God extended to Gentiles. This happened when Peter was called from Joppa to Caesarea by the Lord in a vision. After that, Jews in Jerusalem complained about Peter being with Gentiles, but Peter provided an answer that satisfied them: the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit. Most of the Christian Jews spread the gospel only among Jews, but some Gentiles at Antioch received the word of the Lord before Barnabas and Paul were there. It is possible that Titus was among those early Gentile converts to Christianity at Antioch. It was only after word reached the assembly at Jerusalem that they sent out Barnabas to Antioch, and when he saw the grace of God, he was glad. Barnabas then went to Tarsus and brought back Paul with him and they stayed in Antioch for a full year. The church at Antioch was a mixture of Jews and uncircumcised Gentiles.
B — Paul, Barnabas, and Titus Travel to Jerusalem
Acts 15 “1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.’ 2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.” After much discussion the apostles agreed that circumcision was not required for Gentile believers, and wrote a letter affirming this.
Galatians 2 “1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.”
Comments: The position that circumcision was not required for Gentile believers was not one easily accepted by all Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas had a strong disagreement with those who insisted on it. The church appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others to take the question to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Titus is mentioned in the passage from Galatians, and we learn from that reference that he was an uncircumcised Gentile. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, and this seems to be the same event as described in Acts chapter 15. Titus would have been a direct representative of the Antioch Gentiles. The text clearly states that Titus was not compelled by the apostles at Jerusalem to be circumcised when he arrived with Paul and Barnabas.
C — Paul Had Planned to Meet Titus at Troas Before Visiting Corinth
2 Corinthians 2 “12 Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, 13 I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.”
Comments: Paul had been in Corinth for more than one and a half years for his first visit there as recorded in Acts chapter 18, and Silas and Timothy had joined him there from Macedonia, thereby having become known by the Corinthians. Paul had quite an impact in Ephesus among idol worshippers, but soon after, that led to a dangerous uproar. Before the unruly gathering developed, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia and Achaia. Paul then told the Corinthians that at Troas he had no relief for his spirit, because he didn’t find Titus, his brother, so he continued into Macedonia. Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile believer, but Paul refers to him as a brother — a brother in Christ.
D — Titus Joins Paul in Macedonia Bringing Comfort by His Report
2 Corinthians 7 “5 For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside. 6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more. 13 Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”
Comments: Paul’s own words in 2 Corinthians chapter 7 while he was in Macedonia waiting to hear from Titus were, “fightings were outside, fear was inside.” Part of these feelings may have been the concern about the effects of his first letter to the Corinthians. But he was refreshed by the report brought to him by Titus with the gracious words from the believers in Corinth. Paul said that he rejoiced even more by the joy that Titus felt as his own spirit had been refreshed by the Corinthians. Just as Paul had spoken all things to the Corinthians in truth, so in anything he had boasted to Titus on their behalf, Titus found to be true.
E — Liberal Giving for the Needs of Other Saints
2 Corinthians 8 “6 So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. 7 But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace. 8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Comments: In chapter 8 Paul sets the believers in Macedonia as an example because their sharing was not out of material abundance or a sense of requirement, but it was even beyond what could be expected of those with limited resources. Paul then told the Corinthians that he urged Titus to build upon the relationship he had established with the Corinthians, as he carried Paul’s encouragement to them to share in the grace of giving generously. Paul said his letter was not speaking by way of commandment, “but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.”
F — Paul Comments on the Confidence Titus Had in Returning to Corinth
2 Corinthians 8 “16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.”
Comments: Paul further explains to the Corinthians that he did not need to urge Titus for this trip, because Titus had a personal affection for the believers at Corinth. Paul was sending another brother with Titus, who was apparently well known, even though he does not mention his name. There seems to be a designed precaution to have more than one person handling the valuables collected that are to be distributed to others, so as to minimize any accusations that part of it may be retained for personal use by those who collect.
G — Paul Plans a Third Time to Visit Corinth
2 Corinthians 12 “14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. 18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?”
Comments: As Paul writes his second letter to the Corinthians, he has abandoned his plans for the second visit to Corinth. He states that he will plan a third time to visit. Paul again expresses some concern as he asks in the letter whether he had taken advantage of the Corinthians by anyone that he had sent to them. He was not excusing himself to them, but said he was, in the sight of God, speaking in Christ for their edification. Paul did not want to return to Corinth and find strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, and so on.
H — Titus Goes to Dalmatia
2 Timothy 4 “9 Be diligent to come to me soon, 10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me.”
Comments: This is a very vague reference to Titus for several reasons, beginning with the fact that Dalmatia is mentioned only in this passage in all of the New Testament, and Paul offers no explanation for why Titus went there, or whether he had been there before. Demus was said to have left Paul for “this present world,” and had gone to Thessalonica. The names of Crescens and Titus follow in the same sentence, but it is not at all apparent that they were leaving for the same reason as Demus. Any of the three cities mentioned could have been areas where Paul desired further ministry to take place. We do know that Paul’s letter written to Titus gives further evidence that he was a faithful fellow worker for the gospel.
Reflections in Prayer
By searching out these passages Lord, I have gained a much deeper appreciation for your love and saving grace that you have extended to me as a Gentile. It also has become clearer to me that it was your plan to include Gentiles in your Kingdom, even from the Old Testament, but that was very difficult for the Jews to accept. They had the covenant of circumcision and many of them believed that was a prerequisite for all Gentiles to be saved. How wonderful that after your resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the believer, Jew and Gentile were brought together in the body of Christ. The required circumcision was of the heart, to be performed only by the LORD, even as it had been written of by Moses in Deuteronomy. Titus is a wonderful example of a man whose biography is in the background and not easily followed in the pages of scripture, and yet he is very important as a Gentile believer who did not convert to Judaism either before or after he was saved to eternal life in Christ. I praise you Lord for the security I have personally as a Gentile believer. May my life give evidence that I have the circumcision you performed in my heart, and that I am sealed by your Holy Spirit. Amen and amen.
Published 21 March 2012