AUTHOR: Paul

The author of Titus is Paul the apostle. This conclusion is supported by the text itself (1:1), the internal evidence of theology and language, and the external testimony of the overwhelming majority of the church fathers.

DATE: A.D. 62–66

The epistle was evidently penned during the same general period of time in which 1 Timothy was written, i.e., A.D. 62–66, in the period which elapsed between Paul’s first and second Roman imprisonments. Titus may have been written from Macedonia or Philippi. Paul was traveling to Nicopolis (3:12) where he was to spend the winter and meet Titus.

RECIPIENT: Titus

The recipient of this letter is Paul’s young associate Titus. Mentioned thirteen times in the New Testament, Titus is Paul’s young Greek convert who is often overlooked in regard to his importance to the apostolic community. Not only was he Paul’s prime example of the conversion of Gentiles at the Jerusalem Conference (Gal. 2:1–3), but also he received the most difficult assignments from Paul, e.g., serving as apostolic negotiator at Corinth and on the strange island of Crete. The island of Crete was rich with religious lore and the mystique of pagan philosophy. The island is 146 miles long and is located in the Mediterranean near the Aegean Sea. The mythical birthplace of Zeus, Crete is also famous for the legendary Minotaur, a half-bull, half-human monster for which the famous King Minos secured slaves as food.

THEME: Proper Relationships in the Church

The theme of Titus is the proper relationship of God, the brethren, and society in general within the developing church. Passages occur in this short epistle concerning the qualifications and responsibilities of pastors (1:5–9), the ethics of the believer (2:1–10), the return of Christ (2:11–14), and the nature of salvation (3:3–7).

W. A. Criswell et al., eds., Believer’s Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Tt 1:1.