Titus
Titus was a Gentile Christian (Galatians 2:3), possibly a convert of Paul (Tit. 1:4). Although he is not mentioned in the book of Acts, he could be one of the “other believers” of Acts 15:2. He is first mentioned as accompanying Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1–3; Acts 14:26–28; 15:1–4) for this reason it is sometimes speculated that he was a native of Antioch.
Later on, Titus is associated with Paul during part of the apostle’s Third Missionary Journey (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13). His epistle informs us that he was left in Crete to set certain things in order and to organize churches there (Tit. 1:5). His ministry was to maintain sound doctrine and “straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town” (Tit. 1:5). The Cretan service was only temporary, for Titus was requested to join Paul at Nicopolis, a city in the Province of Achaia in Western Greece (Tit. 3:12).
When this faithful gentile Christian returned to Corinth, he hand-delivered the Epistle of 2 Corinthians and prepared a collection for poor saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:10, 17, 24). Then, he went “with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative” (2 Corinthians 8:16-17). He is last mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:10, where he is said to have gone to Dalmatia (Serbia and Montenegro) to evangelize.
The legitimacy of Titus’ position as a Christian church leader is based on the spiritual direction and nurture he had received from Paul himself. This education fully authorized him to perform his duties as leader of the church in Crete. He was a great assistance to Paul who called him “my partner and fellow worker” (2 Corinthians 8:23).
Titus served the Lord faithfully as he played an important role in the ministry of the early church and also as he fulfilled his duties to Paul as his personal representative (Tit. 1:1–5; 2:15).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
