A. INTRODUCTION
1. What were the conditions of Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome?
a. Hired house.
b. Visitors.
c. Limited freedom.
d. No apparent needs.
2. What were the conditions of Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome?
a. Damp prison.
b. Expected death.
c. Deserted by friends. “For Demas has forsaken me” (2 Tim. 4:10). “. . . all those in Asia have turned away from me” (2 Tim. 1:15).
3. Paul was released after 2 years, because of no accusation.
a. Some think Paul went to Spain (Rom. 15:24), France and England. (They claim that Paul preached on spot of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London).
b. Paul probably traveled through the churches in Greece and Asia Minor, and left Titus in Crete to “. . . set in order the things that are lacking” (Titus 1:5).
4. What is the title of the three letters Paul wrote upon being released and re-imprisoned? The pastoral epistles, i.e., First and Second Timothy, and Titus.
B. WHO WAS TITUS?
1. His name was never mentioned in Acts, perhaps because Luke got information from him to write the book.
2. What was Titus’ background?
a. He was a Gentile probably from Crete.
b. He was led to Christ by Paul. “To Titus, my true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4).
c. He was a companion in Antioch where he was saved.
d. He went to Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1).
3. He is repeatedly referred to in the Corinthian epistles because he was twice sent there to minister.
C. THE BOOK OF TITUS
Author: Paul.
Date: Fall 63 A.D. (after Paul’s release from prison, and before 2 Timothy was written.
Location: From possibly Corinth as Paul visited Greece and Asia Minor (3:12). Written to Titus on Crete.
Authority: Paul identifies himself as an apostle because Titus faced those who rejected both.
Focus: (1) Paul wrote to authenticate the work of Titus as his representation; (2) They were ignorant of church polity and structure and had little indigenous leadership; (3) To authorize Titus to ordain leaders; (4) Include brief “standards” of what must be taught and believed by these churches.
Key word: order.
Theme: Three themes: (a) The standards of a pastor (1:5-16); (b) the speaking of a pastor (2:1-15); (c) the ministry by a pastor (3:1-11).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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