Hey everybody, this is Steve, and this is a brief introduction to Paul’s letter to Titus.

This is one of the 13 epistles attributed to St. Paul, and one of the 27 books and letters that make up the New Testament canon.

The Apostle Paul is, of course, the author, and as you might guess, he wrote this letter to St. Titus.

The letter to Titus is one of Paul’s 3 pastoral epistles, which he wrote not to entire communities, but to specific people. The other two are Paul’s first and second epistles to Timothy. A consensus of contemporary scholars dates the letter to around the year 67 or 68 A.D. Titus, like Timothy, was close to Paul. He accompanied Paul on many of his missionary journeys and is mentioned by name in three of Paul’s letters – in 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and 2 Timothy. Titus was a Gentile, culturally Greek, who converted to Christianity because of St. Paul, and the two became close to the point that Paul would eventually refer to Titus as a brother. Paul even discusses a time when he did not find Titus in the city of Troy as he expected, which left Paul’s mind to be restless, and worrisome. Paul clearly trusted Titus – he put Titus in charge of the collection for the church in Jerusalem for example, and he sent Titus to Corinth when his relationship with that community began to break down. In fact, in 2 Corinthians, Paul calls Titus his partner and co-worker in your service.

Titus eventually became the bishop of Crete, and much like in his letters to Timothy, Paul passes on crucial advice to his coworker in Christ. This was especially important in the Church’s early years, as Christians began to develop an understanding of order and governance to help guide the newly formed communities. As we wrap it up, here are two things to keep in mind when you read to help give you a bit of context and better understand Paul’s letter to Titus: first, Paul warns Titus about false teachers, who can spread division and lead people away from Christ. Paul advises Titus to teach what is consistent with sound doctrine, the true and reliable doctrine he received from Paul the Apostle. This sound doctrine is also tied in with proper conduct, healthy ways of living because our beliefs echo into every aspect of our lives.

This sound doctrine is preserved especially in the way we pray. Paul’s letter includes at least 2 references to creeds, or hymns use by the first generations of Christians. These prayers, read or sung by the congregation, are words that express what we believe, who we are, and the depth of our relationship with the Lord. These are truths that are unfortunately twisted, or even denied, by false teachers. And second, Paul focuses on the many different roles in the Church, and the contributions different people can make. In first Corinthians, Paul speaks of the church as the body of Christ. Bodies are composed of many different members and parts, all working together, and if the Church is a body, the same should go for the Church. So, when Paul tells Titus to ordain new bishops, for example, he gives Titus advice on the kinds of people he should look for – someone who is blameless, humble, hospitable, a lover of goodness, with a firm grasp of the gospel. He also gives Titus advice on the good habits of citizens, of young men and old men, of young women and old women, of all kinds of people in all kinds of different situations, and how they should best live to encounter Christ wherever they might be.

Because, though we’re not all bishops, and we’re not all parents, and we’re not all leaders, we are all Christians, and we’re all called to make Christ the center of the particular life that God has given each of us. As you’re reading along with us, keep these two points in mind: first, the danger of false leaders, and the sources of good teaching, and two, the many different roles people are called to play in the Church.

Tell us in the comments how you notice these two things as you begin to engage the Scripture. Join us in our weekly video series, Live the Word. Most importantly, I hope you’ll celebrate with us this Sunday and every Sunday to hear the beautiful scripture readings proclaimed during the Divine Liturgy, and learn how you can live the Word.