About 49 C.E., Paul took Titus with him to Jerusalem, where the circumcision issue was decided. Titus: A Greek Christian who worked closely with the apostle Paul. Our Savior, God: See study note on 1Ti 1:1. God, who cannot lie: To lie would violate the very nature of “Jehovah, the God of truth.” ( Ps 31:5) All that Jehovah does, he carries out by means of his holy spirit, which Jesus referred to as “the spirit of the truth.” ( Joh 15:26 16:13) Jehovah is completely different from imperfect humans, for “God is not a mere man who tells lies.” ( Nu 23:19) Further, Jehovah stands in contrast with Satan, who is “a liar and the father of the lie.” ( Joh 8:44) Paul’s point: Because it is impossible for God to lie, his promises are completely trustworthy.- Heb 6:18. ( Ge 3:15 compare Da 7:13, 14, 27 Lu 22:28-30.) Paul and other anointed Christians entertained such a heavenly “hope of the everlasting life.”-See study note on Eph 3:11. ( Ps 37:29) At that time, though, he foretold that a special “offspring” would crush Satan, and the Bible later shows that this “offspring” would include humans who would live forever in heaven. ( Ge 1:27, 28 2:17) When God pronounced his sentence on the rebels in Eden, he did not change his original purpose. Or he may be referring to the time when Jehovah first revealed his purpose for humans. promised long ago: Paul here speaks of a divine promise made “long ago.” (Compare study note on 2Ti 1:9.) He may be referring to the time when Jehovah first purposed that humans enjoy “everlasting life” on earth. Godly devotion: See study note on 1Ti 4:7.Ī hope of the everlasting life. The accurate knowledge of the truth: Paul here links accurate knowledge with godly devotion and with hope.- Tit 1:2 2:11, 12 for a discussion of the Greek term here rendered “accurate knowledge,” see study note on Eph 4:13.
(See study note on Ro 1:1.) Jesus’ half brother James similarly described himself as “a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” ( Jas 1:1 compare 1Pe 2:16 Re 7:3.) And Mary responded to an assignment from Jehovah’s angel with the words: “Look! Jehovah’s slave girl!”-See study note on Lu 1:38. (See study note on 1Th 1:9.) In fact, Paul, a faithful Christian, considered it an honor to be a lowly servant of the Most High God and of his Son. Even though Paul addresses this letter to an individual-his coworker Titus-the apostle may have used this longer, more formal introduction because he intended that the letter be read to others as well.-See study note on Tit 3:15 compare study note on Ro 1:1.Ī slave of God: Even though a slave occupied the lowest position in society, this phrase does not devalue the person it describes. Paul not only names himself but also describes his apostleship and his preaching. ( Tit 1:4) In this letter, Paul’s introduction is unusually long (in Greek, one long sentence extends from verse 1 into verse 4).
Such letters would typically name the sender and the intended recipient(s) and then include a greeting.
Paul: Or “From Paul.” Paul’s opening, which continues through verse 4, follows a style common in ancient letters. Other early manuscripts use variations of this title. contains the title “To Titus” at the end of the letter. For example, the well-known manuscript Codex Sinaiticus of the fourth century C.E. Ancient manuscripts show that the titles were added later, doubtless to make it easier to identify the Bible books. To Titus: Titles such as this were apparently not part of the original text.
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