Titus 1:1-5 – Paul’s Introduction to Titus

      1Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
      4To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

Interesting Words
bond-servant

(δοῦλος – Greek) – doulos ► bond-slave, servant, slave, bondservant, properly, someone who belongs to another; a bond-slave, without any ownership rights of their own – James 1:1; Rom 6:19;

apostle

(ἀπόστολος – Greek) – apostolos ► a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way, especially a man sent out by Jesus Christ Himself to preach the Gospel; an apostle.

faith of those chosen

• (πίστις – Greek) – pistis ► faith – John 8:24; Heb 11:1;

• (ἐκλεκτός – Greek) – eklektos ► elect, choice, select, chosen out by God for the rendering of special service to Him, especially as a deeply personal choice – John 1:11-12; 6:44;

knowledge of the truth

• (ἐπίγνωσις – Greek) – epignósis ► full knowledge, discernment, recognition, knowledge gained through first-hand relationship, precise and correct knowledge; – John 17:3

• (ἀλήθεια – Greek) – alétheia ► truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man – John 6:45, 8:31-32, 14:6,

promised

(ἐπαγγέλλομαι – Greek) – epaggellomai ► to promise, to proclaim, to announce, (from epí, “on, fitting” intensifying aggellō, “announce”), properly, to declare a promise that is fitting (apt), i.e. legitimately applies, describes the act of making promises, particularly those made by God to His people – Rom 4:21; Gal 3:19; 2Peter 1:4;

proper

(καιρός – Greek) – kairos ► fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time, suitable time, the right moment – Rom 5:6; 2Cor 6:2;

proclamation

(κήρυγμα – Greek) – kérugma ► proclamation, preaching, hearlding, message, especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself – 1Cor 1:21; 2:4; 2Tim 4:17;

Cross References

▪︎ The role of hope – Rom 8:24-25;
▪︎ At the proper time – Heb 1:1-2;
▪︎ Jesus’ challenge – John 20:21;
▪︎ Paul’s challenge – 2Tim 2:2;
▪︎ See also – Promise, Faith, Hope… All part of the Plan

Discussion Questions
Download questions to Word document (click here). Enter your answers, then meet with some friends to discuss. You can also compare your answers to mine for a virtual discussion… to return… Titus 1:1-4 – Paul’s Introduction to Titus – Answers

1. Put yourself in Tutus’ place. How does Paul’s use of the term bond-servant make you feel?

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2. How about the use of the term apostle?

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3. In Titus 1:1, Paul has a compound purpose statement (using the words “for” and “and”). What was Christ’s purpose for calling Paul?

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4. Titus 1:2 amplifies this purpose. Explain how.

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5. How does Paul introduce the concept of time in Titus 1:2? Related to hope? Related to promise? And related to long ages ago?

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6. What is implied by Paul’s use of the word “proper” in Titus 1:3?

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7. What was the role that Paul was looking for Titus to fulfill?

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