A 1:1-4. Epistolary. Salutation. Benediction.
B 1:5-9. Assemblies. Their order.
C 1:10-16. Contentious Cretans. Censured.
D 2:1-20. The walk and works becoming believers [socially]. Titus to be a pattern of good works.
E A 2:11. Reason. The grace of God has appeared to all.
B 2:12-14. What we should be in consequence of the teachings of grace.
C 2:15. Charge to Titus to speak, rebuke, and exhort.
E C 3:1,2. Charge to Titus to put in mind [civil duties].
B 3:3. Reason. What we were before Grace's teaching.
A 3:4-7. Reason. The kindness of God appeared.
D 3:8. The walk and works becoming believers. Titus to exhort to good works.
C 3:9. Contentious Cretans. Condemned.
B 3:10,11. Assemblies. Their discipline.
A 3:12-15. Epistolary. Salutation. Benediction.
The apostle Paul had no more highly esteemed fellow-laborer than Titus, yet his name is not mentioned in the Acts. It has been suggested that this is owing to his being the authority to whom Luke is indebted for various portions of the book. A Gentile [Gal. 2:5], and possibly a native Crete, the words "Titus, my own son after the common faith" [Tit. 1:4] indicate that he was led to the truth by Paul himself. The two were companions in Antioch prior to the Council assembled at Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 15, for to this Council he accompanied the apostle [Gal. 2;1]. Titus is repeatedly referred to in the two Epistles to the Corinthians, to which church he was apparently sent on 2 occasions: see 2 Cor. 8:6, and chapter 2 and 7. From this Epistle we learn that after Paul's release from the Roman prison, the two journeyed together and preached in Crete [1:5,11,13], where the apostle left him to 'set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city". Later, he was instructed to join Paul at Nicopolis [3:12], and it is probably that from there he was sent to Dalmatia [2 Tim. 4:10]. The apostle's affectionate regard for him is shown in 2 Cor. 2:13; 8:23.
The Epistle was one of the latest written by Paul, probably at the end of 67 A.D.
A A 1-. Paul.
B -1-. A servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
C -1-. According to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of truth.
B1 -1. According to godliness.
C1 D 2-. In hope of eternal life.
E -2-. Promised of God Who cannot lie.
F -2. Before the word began.
C2 F 3-. But has manifested in its own seasons.
E -3-. His Word through preaching.
D -3-. Committed to me.
B2 -3. According to the commandment of God our Savior.
A 4-. Titus.
B -4-. My own child.
C -4-. According to the common faith.
Titus 1)
1 Paul,
a servant of God (Gr. Theos, Heb. equivalent to Elohim), and an apostle of Jesus (Gr. Iesous, Heb. Yahshua = Yahaveh's Savior) Christ (Gr. Christos = the Anointed One, i.e. the Messiah),
according to the faith of God's elect, and the full knowledge of the truth
which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life,
which God, that cannot lie,
promised before the world began;
3 But in due times (Gr. kairos, the fit season) manifested
His word through preaching,
which was committed to me
according to the commandment of God our Savior;
4 To Titus,
my own child (see 1 Tim. 1:2)
after the common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace (see 1 Tim. 1;2), from God the Father (Gr. Pater, it denotes His relationship to His "beloved Son") and the Lord Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 For this cause left I you in Crete (an island lying in the Aegean Sea still bears the ancient name. It is about 140 miles long by about 30 wide), in order that you should set in order the things that are wanting (lit. the left things. Cp. 3:13), and appoint (see Matt. 24:45) elders (see Acts 20:17. Cp. 1 Tim. 5:17) city by city, as I had appointed you:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For the bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of the good [thing], right-minded, just, holy (see Acts 2:27), temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word according to the teaching, that he may be able by sound doctrine (see 1 Tim. 1;10 and cp. 2 Tim. 1:13) both to exhort and to convince the contradicters. (See Luke 2:34)
C D 10. Impostors.
E 11. Rebuke.
F 12. Witness against them by a prophet of their own.
F 13-. Witness confirmed by Paul.
E -13,14. Rebuke.
D 15,16. Impostors.
10 For there are many unruly, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (Those here referred to were of Judah Christians)
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who overthrow whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy gain's sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet (to Paul, a prophet by repute only. It is supposed that the reference is to Epimenides) of their own, said, "the Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, slow persons."
13 This testimony is true.
On account of which rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (Here, the doctrine of the gospel, i.e. the Good News)
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables (cp. Col. 2:16-22. 1 Tim. 1:4), and commandments of men, that turn (cp. 2 Tim. 4:4) from the truth.
15 To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their understanding and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but by works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.