Introduction

The letter is addressed to Titus - a convert Gentile (Gal 2:1–3). We know him only from Paul’s letters (2 Cor 2:13; 7:6.13–14; 8:6.23; 12:18; Gal 2:1–3 - Acts do not say anything about him).

Paul calls him “a true child according to common faith” (Titus 1:4) - some think that it means, Paul himself baptized him. Based on Gal 2:1–3, Paul took him to participate in the Council in Jerusalem (51 AD) were the decision against circumcision of the Gentile Christians took place. Titus was an example of that decision. Titus was not forced there to get circumcised and so all Gentile Christians could cite him as an example against those Jewish Christians, who demanded that the Gentile Christians were circumcised (Gal 2:3; Acts 15:5–11).

Based on the Second Corinthians, Titus participated in Paul’s missionary journeys and even helped him to solve the problem in Corinth (were Timothy apparently failed - Paul sent Timothy to Corinth (1 Cor 4:17; 16:10 and 2 Cor 7:6.13–14).

Later on, Paul left him at Crete to solve another problem (Titus 1:5). The community needed proper organization and the false teachers should be silenced (1:10–11). Thus, we have here instructions regarding establishing elders in the community - who can be and who is not qualified.

When, the letter was written is difficult to established. Some say right after 1 Tim, another claim that it was not Paul, how wrote it but someone else around the end of the first century.

The letter begins with an introduction (1:1–4). The main topic is a polemic with false teachers (1:10–12) and at the same time guidelines for achieving wisdom and truth (2:11–14; 3:4–7), and how to practice virtues (2:1–10). Paul addresses here different age groups - elderly, young - and slaves.

There is a catalog of virtues (1:7–9, 2:1–10) and a catalog of vices (1:10; 3:3). They can be viewed as a sort of manual for properly organizing communities during that time.

Although, the letter can be seen as a sort of manual about organizing and teaching Christian community how to live a life worthy of their calling, rhere are also two Christology hymns (2:11–14; 3:4–7) praising the grace of God that was revealed to us in Jesus Christ.


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