What Kind of Book? Letter
Paul's overarching concern in this letter is order. He seeks order in the churches he has planted, and also in the doctrines taught to and through those churches. Ever his concern is that the Truth of the gospel not be tainted by false claims, be they from without or within the church.
Since this page was a bit big, I've broken the Outline Comparisons out into a separate page.
| Who wrote it? | Paul is identified as the author, and the nature of the salutation which opens the letter, as well as the closing, seem quite typical of his writing. |
| Who was it written to or for? | The letter is identified as being for Titus. |
| Why was it written? | This particular letter carries only a small portion of doctrine. It seems clear that churches Paul had previously planted in Crete were threatened by Judaizers, and quite possibly by other false teachers. As Paul sees winter coming, he is moving to make certain that Titus has accomplished all that needs to be done for the church in Crete to survive. They must be established in a way that will allow them to be self-sufficient. |
| When was it written? | Two clues, possibly more, give us some idea when Paul may have written. 1: Churches were already established on Crete. However, I find in looking at maps of his mission trips no record of his having been there. 2: He notes the place at which he hopes to winter. According to what I can find, this location was somewhere midway up the western coast of Greece, which again does not appear to have been on the course of any of Paul's journeys. 3: No mention is made of imprisonment, suggesting that the letter is somewhat earlier in his work. 4: That he seeks to strengthen what remains would seem to place the letter somewhere during his 2nd or 3rd trip. These last two would seem to put the time somewhere between 49-57 AD. If we assume that Apollos is the same who was in Ephesus, this might narrow the window a bit. Assuming this, we know that Priscilla and Aquila worked to increase his understanding at that time. By the record of Acts, this puts us in a time when Paul was returning from Corinth, when Gallio was in charge of that city. He departed from the port of Cenchrae, and went to Ephesus, but would not stay. Then he proceeded back to Antioch via Caesarea. Shortly thereafter, he began a trip through Galatia and Phrygia. This seems to place things at the juncture of the two trips, which would put it more like 52-55 AD (55 being chosen as about midway through his course). Paul notes in Galatians that Titus went with him on his return to Jerusalem at the end of his 2nd mission. |
| What was happening in the world at that time? | Rome was still in power. Claudius had recently ejected the Jews from Rome, the cause of Priscilla and Aquila being in Corinth. Nor had they returned yet, which we know they eventually did based on the closing chapter of Romans. |
| What was happening to God's people at that time? | The apostles had already worked out that Paul & Barnabas would be to the Gentiles as they were to the Jews, that the church might move forward in both ways. At the same time, the church in Jerusalem was dealing with long-term issues of famine and poverty. This was a focus for Paul during many of his visits during his third trip, as he sought to take up a collection amongst the Gentiles to bring to Jerusalem. This was done both to provide for God's own in that city, and to provide visible proof of the unity God was establishing. |
| What was happening to the author at that time? | Paul was at the height of his missionary work. (Interesting note here: Paul is noted as being with a man named Titius Justus in Corinth - is it possible that this is the same as Titus? I'm thinking not, as he is noted as being already a God worshiper, whereas Titus is called Paul's child in the faith, suggesting that he was a direct convert of Paul's ministry.) Judging by what clues I can gather, I'm guessing that Paul is probably in Corinth, contemplating a trip up the west coast of Greece. This would seem to put him at about the mid-point of his last mission journey to that area. Thus, he is dealing with issues of disorder in that church, which he had established on his previous trip. It seems likely that the Cretan mission was launched from Corinth at that time, and seeing the state of the Corinthian church, his concern is heightened for other church plants. Thus, the great concern for order found in this letter. |
Read some Background - 6th Pass (Add some authors)
Harper's: (12/25/02)
This letter deals with pastoral matters. Some question the authenticity of the letters as we have them today, in part because their record does not align with that in Acts. This is resolved if one places the writing of these letters after Paul's Roman imprisonment as recorded in Acts, and assume a later, second imprisonment. There are also notable differences in style and thought. Further, the doctrines being opposed are seen as pointing to a later period in church history. Finally, the degree and state of church organization also seems to belong to a later period. Some think, based on these points, that the letters were merely given to a scribe in brief and left for him to flesh out. Others think the letters to contain fragments of authentic Pauline writings. Then there are those that take the letters as being 2nd century documents with absolutely no Pauline content. As for those who believe the letters to be authentic, it is held that Paul did indeed continue from his first Roman imprisonment, perhaps having reached Spain in his travels. As to differences in content and style, this is accounted for by the difference in purpose behind the writings, and may also be due in part to a scribe having been used for these. As to the doctrinal concerns, these are not far different from that which Paul addresses in writing to the Colossians, nor need the state of the church be that of a later period. This letter was likely written from Macedonia while Titus was on Crete. It would appear that Paul was arrested in Nicopolis and sent to Rome [based on what?]
Read some Background - 6th Pass (Add some authors)
Hebrew-Greek Key: (12/24/02)
Titus was likely from Antioch. He was with Paul when he went to Jerusalem at the end of his 2nd mission trip to deal with the circumcision issue. After the eastern portion of Paul's 3rd mission, they stopped in Crete [based on what? - H-G references v1:5, but that says nothing about who began the work.] At any rate, Titus was dealing with opposition and may have previously sent word to Paul seeking advice in the matter. Quite likely, the letter was delivered by Zenas and Apollos. It is also probable that Titus' mission to Dalmatia was begun from the proposed winter base. [Again, based on what? No record is given of Paul having actually arrived at this winter port, only of it being his goal. Other goals had been cancelled by God's providence.] We also know that Titus was involved in Corinth, ministering there after Paul's departure, and suggested as returning to continue the work later. [Note: The Corinthian record does indicate that Paul and Titus were rejoined for a time, but where? H-G puts it in Nicopolis in Macedonia, but what records I can find put Nicopolis much further west and south.]
Read some Background - 6th Pass (Add some authors)
Calvin: (12/24/02)
Titus was completing the Cretan work begun by Paul. Calvin sees himself as the Titus in relation to the two founders of his church, to whom he dedicates the commentary. Both of these other men had left to establish reformed conditions in ex-papal churches elsewhere. So, Paul established and moved on, leaving Titus to complete the work. The attack from Satan began most immediately, both in conflict and corruption. Those denied pastoral positions due to their motives were doubtless angered, and many were being led astray by efforts to Judaize the church. Likely, these rejected candidates were circulating their own charges with regard to Titus. Given the situation, this was probably an open letter, not intended to be for Titus alone, but aimed at establishing his authority and his teaching. Thus, Paul writes of his view of what qualifies a minister, which must include solid foundations of doctrine, so that they can withstand and oppose attempts at corruption. The instructions Paul delivers show his full support of Titus.
Read some Background - 6th Pass (Add some authors)
Matthew Henry: (12/24/00)
As in Timothy's case, Titus is one of Paul's converts, companions, and fellow evangelists. What Paul planted, they remained to water. They acted as vice-apostles. The record of Scripture shows that Titus was an effective and useful aid in many different places and situations Paul refers to him variously as his son, his brother, and his partner; one who walked in the same spirit. It was he who carried the second letter to Corinth from Paul. He was present with Paul at various times in Jerusalem, Corinth, and Rome, from where he was sent into Dalmatia. Although Paul planted the Cretan church, his duties were too large to allow him to remain. Thus, Titus was left for a time to continue the work, and make it more certain. It is likely that this letter from Paul was meant more for the good of the Cretans themselves than for Titus, establishing Titus' authority and advising them as to proper behavior among believers in the course of it.Read some Background - 6th Pass (Add some authors)
ISBE: (12/25/02)
[From entry on Nicopolis] This was a city on the southwest of Greece, north of Corinth. This would seem to belie the idea that Paul never went further than Eastern Greece. If Paul went to this city, it was doubtless with the intent of evangelizing the region. It is probable that he was arrested in that city, and taken to Rome sometime between 64 and 67 AD. The city was founded by Augustus during his battles with Antony in 31 BC. At the time of Paul's ministries, this was the major city of the region of Epirus.
[From entry on Titus] In Acts and Galatians, we learn that Titus was with Paul after his 1st mission trip. In 2Corinthians, it is made evident that Titus was sent to Corinth by Paul, a trip he successfully completed. He was apparently sent to Corinth again when problems arose in the city. Again Titus and Paul join up in Macedonia to discuss the state of the church. Titus returned to Corinth with 2Corinthians in hand, where Paul later arrived. From the evidence of this letter, it becomes clear that Paul was released from his Roman imprisonment, and made several trips thereafter together with Titus. Crete was, then, a stop on one of these trips. Apparently, Paul is planning to send others to take up Titus' work, so that Titus can rejoin him, later being sent to Dalmatia.
Read some Background - 7th Pass (Resolve background info) (12/25/00)
It would seem to me that the arguments against the Pauline authoring of this letter would require denial that the Scripture is inspired and true. This is unacceptable. The idea that Crete was an unmentioned stop of Paul's during one of the mission journeys recorded in Acts seems to require the same denial, and so must be rejected. This does not, however, preclude the possibility that either Titus, or some other of Paul's coworkers had been sent into Crete during the course of one of these trips, does it? We have record in others of Paul's letters that he did so in other regions, why not here as well? I see nothing in the record that requires us to take Paul as the personal founder of the Cretan church, although it seems entirely likely that it was a fruit of his ministry, whether directly or through his coworkers.
Nicopolis, as a dominant city for its region, certainly makes sense as a place Paul would go. It fits his pattern of working in the major cities, and allowing the church to spread from there under local power. As for this being the place from which he was taken prisoner to Rome, this can be no more than speculation. The H-G statement that Nicopolis was in Macedonia seems to deny the physical facts. We know of its foundation, and we know of its ruins, and both of these place it in the west. Attempts to move it northeast appear to be the byproduct of forcing this work into the course of one of the recorded mission trips. But again, to push Crete into that trip as a personal stop of Paul's is to declare what seems a very detailed record of his travels inaccurate. As to the failure of Acts to record anything later than this imprisonment, isn't it entirely likely that this was the state of affairs as things stood at the time of its writing? Dates for its writing are given as anywhere from 60-90 AD. If we take it as being sometime in the middle half of that timeframe, Paul's imprisonment would indeed have been current status, and there would be no opportunity to record his later work there. Even if it were written somewhat later, where was Luke at the time? Communications were good in Rome, but it would still take time for news to reach even his close associates, as everything traveled by foot.
What remains clear is that: (a) Titus was a longtime, and well-trusted associate of Paul's. He had shown his worth in addressing issues in Corinth, had stood up to the pressures of the Jerusalem debate over Jewish rites in the church, and was sufficiently trusted by Paul to take the church into new territories. (b) Titus was certainly in the region, working in Corinth, and quite likely bearing Paul's letter to Corinth as he continued working there. Corinth being a major port, it would not be unlikely to take passage to Crete from there. (c) However the Cretan church was established, Paul considered its welfare to be his responsibility, as he held to welfare of all the churches established by his ministry to be his responsibility.
Questions remain. If, indeed, the Cretan mission came after the record of Acts, how late was this letter written? It had to come after Galatians, because in that letter Titus is heading for Dalmatia. Yet, it requires sufficient time for the church to have been established, and fallen into trouble. If the mission was a branch of one of Paul's prior trips, even if one developed by a coworker rather than Paul himself, why is there no record of it in Acts? Luke was intimately familiar with Paul's work, and striving to provide an accurate and detailed record. Would he then have excluded this matter? On the other hand, his focus is on Paul himself, on the apostolic work. Details regarding lesser players may have been outside the scope of what he was trying to capture.
Whatever the case, we can be thankful to God that His church does not stand or fall on the ability of any man. We can be thankful that where one plants, He is faithful to send others to water. The church will prevail. Against all opposition, it will prevail. Against all corruption, it will prevail. Through the centuries that have followed the age of the apostles, we have record of God moving over and over again to ensure that this would be so. The counsels of the early centuries were events in that battle. The creeds that were formed were a means used to ensure that doctrine remained sound. The history of the church's spread into Europe, into the British Isles and Scandinavia, and then into the New World; in all of these, we can find God working to preserve His holy remnant. In movements of reformation, not only that of the 16th century, but also those before and after, He has worked to keep His people pure. He will continue to do so until He is determined to return for His bride! Praises be unto His name!
