Titus (Galatians 2:1–5; 2 Corinthians 2:12–13; 2 Corinthians 7:5–7; 2 Corinthians 7:13–15; 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:16–24; 2 Corinthians 12:17–18; Titus 1:1–5; Titus 2:1; Titus 2:15; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:9–10)

Paul's true child after a common faith

A Greek whom Paul took with him to Jerusalem and who was not compelled to be circumcised; a comfort to Paul in Macedonia, earnest toward the Corinthians in the matter of the collection, and left by Paul in Crete.

Titus is not named in Acts; he is known from Paul's letters. In Galatians Paul writes: “I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me” (Galatians 2:1), and “not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised” (Galatians 2:3).

In 2 Corinthians Paul says he had “no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother” (2 Corinthians 2:13), and that God “comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6). Paul exhorted Titus to complete among the Corinthians the grace he had begun (2 Corinthians 8:6), and says of him, “he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward” (2 Corinthians 8:23).

The letter to Titus is addressed “to Titus, my true child after a common faith” (Titus 1:4): “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge” (Titus 1:5). Another letter says “Titus to Dalmatia” (2 Timothy 4:10).

Strengths

• Earnest care
• Comfort to Paul
• Affection for the Corinthians
• Partner and fellow-worker
• Went of his own accord

Themes

• Gentile freedom
• Comfort in affliction
• The collection
• Order in the churches
• Fellow-workers

Goes up to Jerusalem with Paul (Galatians 2:1–5)

Paul goes up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus, a Greek, who is not compelled to be circumcised.

Goes up to Jerusalem with Paul

“Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me” (Galatians 2:1).

“But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage” (Galatians 2:3-4).

Paul has no relief for want of him (2 Corinthians 2:12–13)

At Troas, with a door opened, Paul has no relief for his spirit because he does not find Titus his brother, and goes on into Macedonia.

Comfort in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 7:5–7; 2 Corinthians 7:13–15)

God comforts Paul by the coming of Titus and by the comfort Titus had from the Corinthians; Paul rejoices over Titus' refreshed spirit and his affection for them.

Comfort in Macedonia

“For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears” (2 Corinthians 7:5).

“Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you” (2 Corinthians 7:6-7).

“And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him” (2 Corinthians 7:15).

Sent to Corinth about the collection (2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:16–24; 2 Corinthians 12:17–18)

Paul exhorts Titus to complete the grace he had begun among the Corinthians; Titus, very earnest, goes forth of his own accord with the brother.

Sent to Corinth about the collection

“Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:6).

“But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord” (2 Corinthians 8:16-17).

Paul adds: “Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward” (2 Corinthians 8:23).

Left in Crete (Titus 1:1–5; Titus 2:1; Titus 2:15)

Paul writes to Titus, his true child after a common faith, whom he left in Crete to set in order the things that were wanting and appoint elders in every city.

Left in Crete

“To Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour” (Titus 1:4).

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge” (Titus 1:5).

The letter charges him to “speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) and to “speak and exhort and reprove with all authority” (Titus 2:15).

Asked to come to Nicopolis (Titus 3:12)

When Paul sends Artemas or Tychicus, Titus is to give diligence to come to him at Nicopolis, where Paul has determined to winter.

Gone to Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:9–10)

A letter to Timothy lists where some have gone: Demas to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Paul (Galatians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Titus 1:4–5)

Took him to Jerusalem, called him his brother, partner and fellow-worker, and left him in Crete.

Barnabas (Galatians 2:1)

Went up to Jerusalem with Paul and Titus.

The Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:13–15; 2 Corinthians 8:16–17)

Titus was comforted in them, has affection toward them, and was sent to them about the collection.

Major sections

• Galatians 2:1–5
• 2 Corinthians 7–8
• Titus 1–3

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