TITUS--18

We know of the apostles, having to leave Jerusalem after Pentecost. We know that Peter went to Antioch where he was a great influence and possibly pastor or bishop. But after Peter and Paul, James and John, who succeeded them?

The NT epistles say it was Philemon, Timothy and Titus.

Who was Titus?
Paul first mentions him in 2 Corinthians 2.13, when Paul arrives at the port of Troas. He expected Titus to be there, but he was not. Paul says he--had no rest for my spirit--so he went on from Troas to Macedonia. When Paul made it to Macedonia, he says--God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 2 Cor. 7.6. When Paul boasts of Titus, he says his boasting is not in vain, 2 Cor. 7.13.

What Titus was to Paul results in him giving Titus great praise--As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow-worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ, 2 Cor. 8.23.


Titus may have written down 2 Corinthians for Paul. Titus was Greek, so he could have written in Greek easily. He had been in Jerusalem with Paul, so he would be familiar with Paul's interpretation of the Law and Prophets.

When Paul left on his missionary journeys, he trusts Titus enough to leave him to the work of the ministry in Crete, then rejoined him in Nicopolis. While Titus was in Crete, Paul instructs him to appoint elders, not just in Crete, but in every city where Paul went. This is quite a responsibility.

Evidently in Crete, the people could be contentious. Paul mentions this in Titus 1.10-12. For Paul to appoint a young man like Titus to the task of appointing elders in a city of empty talkers, liars, gluttons, Titus must have been quite a wise and strong-minded man. You would expect this of anyone Paul believed in so much.
Paul had tested Titus much, 2 Cor. 8.22. Paul says there--taking precaution that no one should discredit us in our administration of this generous gift... This might remind us of Ephesians 1.8--In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will...with a view to an admininstration suitable to the fulness of the times... Evidently Titus was good at the administration of these budding churches.


And then we come across a surprising passage in 2 Cor. 8. In verses 1-3 Paul says the churches in Macedonia wished to participate in supporting the saints (in Jerusalem). So Paul then urges Titus to complete this gracious work of support.

Does this mean that Titus was trustworthy of handling money?
Could Titus be the man Paul chose to succeed Judas in handling money for himself and the churches? This may be the case.

Paul then says if a church has a desire to help the saints and can do so financially, they should. Then Paul thanks God for putting the same earnestness in Titus, 1 Cor. 8.16, who has gone to the churches to administer the help.

While Titus is relatively unknown in the NT, he must have been quite well known in the churches and in Paul's ministry. Quite a man.