Introduction to Titus: Be A Peacemaker in Christ

Introduction to Titus: Be A Peacemaker in Christ

Collin Leong. September 25, 2025


A. Historical Summary

1. Author and His Background

  • Author: The Apostle Paul (Titus 1:1).

  • Background: Paul was a former Pharisee and Roman citizen who became a leading missionary and church planter after his conversion (Acts 9). He mentored Titus, a Gentile believer (Galatians 2:3), who became a trusted co-worker and spiritual son (Titus 1:4). Titus accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys and played a key role in managing difficult church situations, including in Corinth and Crete.

2. Audience and Their Background

  • Recipient: Titus, serving as a church leader on the island of Crete.

  • Background:

    • Crete was a large Mediterranean island known in the ancient world for its immorality and dishonesty (Titus 1:12).

    • The churches there were young and vulnerable to false teaching, especially from Jewish legalists and deceptive leaders (Titus 1:10–16).

    • Titus was left in Crete to “set in order what was unfinished” and appoint qualified elders (Titus 1:5), establishing a foundation of sound doctrine and godly leadership.

3. Date and Location of Writing

  • Date: Written around AD 62–64, between Paul’s first and second Roman imprisonments.

  • Location: Likely written from Nicopolis, a city in western Greece, where Paul planned to spend the winter (Titus 3:12).

4. Purpose and Theme

  • Purpose:

    • To instruct Titus on how to organize and lead the churches in Crete.

    • To confront false teaching and promote sound doctrine.

    • To emphasize the connection between gospel truth and godly living.

  • Themes:

    • Sound Doctrine Leads to Godly Living: Belief and behavior are inseparable (Titus 1:1; 2:1; 3:8).

    • Qualified Leadership: Elders must be spiritually mature and morally upright (Titus 1:5–9).

    • Grace-Fueled Transformation: The gospel teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives (Titus 2:11–14).

    • Good Works as a Witness: Believers are to be devoted to doing good, reflecting the gospel in everyday life (Titus 3:1–8).


B. Key Messages

1. Sound Doctrine Builds Strong Churches

Message: Paul emphasizes the importance of teaching truth that aligns with the gospel. Sound doctrine is the foundation for healthy leadership and godly living (Titus 1:9; 2:1). 

Application:

  • Know and teach Scripture faithfully—it shapes both belief and behavior.
  • Guard against false teaching by staying rooted in biblical truth.
  • Encourage leaders and teachers to prioritize gospel-centered instruction.

2. Godly Leadership Requires Godly Character

Message: Paul outlines qualifications for elders, focusing on integrity, self-control, and faithfulness (Titus 1:5–9). 

Application:

  • Choose leaders based on spiritual maturity, not charisma or popularity.
  • If you lead, model Christlike character in your decisions and relationships.
  • Support and pray for leaders who shepherd with humility and conviction.

3. Grace Trains Us to Live Godly Lives

Message: The grace of God not only saves but also teaches believers to reject ungodliness and live upright lives (Titus 2:11–14). 

Application:

  • Let grace shape your daily choices—not just your theology.
  • Pursue holiness as a response to God’s kindness, not as a way to earn His favor.
  • Be a visible example of transformation in a culture that needs hope.

4. Every Generation Has a Role in Discipleship

Message: Paul gives specific instructions to older men and women, younger men, and servants—each group is called to live in a way that honors God and strengthens others (Titus 2:2–10). 

Application:

  • Invest in others—discipleship is a shared responsibility across generations.
  • Live with integrity in your role, knowing your example shapes others.
  • Encourage mutual respect and mentorship within your church or community.

5. Good Works Confirm the Gospel

Message: Believers are to be “ready for every good work” and “devoted to doing what is good,” as a visible testimony of their faith (Titus 3:1, 8, 14). 

Application:

  • Let your actions reflect your beliefs—faith and works go hand in hand.
  • Serve others with kindness, generosity, and consistency.
  • Use your life to make the gospel attractive to those around you.

6. Live Peaceably in a Corrupt Culture

Message: Paul urges believers to be submissive to authorities, avoid slander, and show humility to all people (Titus 3:1–2). 

Application:

  • Be a peacemaker—respond to hostility with grace and wisdom.
  • Respect leadership while staying faithful to God’s truth.
  • Let humility and kindness define your witness in a broken world.


C. Framework 

The Order and the Obedience: Building a Healthy Church and a Godly Life (Titus 1–3)

Paul writes to Titus, a trusted co-worker, who is overseeing the churches on the island of Crete. The letter focuses on establishing qualified leadership, promoting sound doctrine, and encouraging believers to live out their faith through good works.

Ch 1: The Leadership and the Lies. Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders who are spiritually mature and morally upright. He warns against false teachers—especially those promoting legalism—and describes the corrupt culture of Crete that demands strong leadership and sound teaching.

Ch 2: The Character and the Conduct. Paul gives practical guidance for different groups in the church—older men, older women, younger men, and slaves. He emphasizes that godly living flows from grace and that believers should live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Ch 3: The Renewal and the Responsibility. Paul reminds believers of their past condition and the transforming power of salvation through the Holy Spirit. He urges them to be peaceable, obedient, and devoted to doing good. He also warns against divisive people and closes with personal instructions and greetings.




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