디도서
Summary Titus is a pastoral manual the apostle Paul sent to ‘Titus,’ his son in the faith, who had been appointed spiritual leader on the island of Crete. It emphasizes protecting the church from the empty teachings of false teachers, establishing the public order of the church (the appointment of elders), and how saved believers should do ‘good works (the fruit of life)’ in the home and in society.
- Date written
- AD 63-65
- Historical period
- Early church era
Background
① The Harsh Environment of the Island of Crete Crete (the island of Crete in present-day Greece) was an important hub in the Mediterranean, but the moral reputation of its inhabitants at that time was terrible. In Titus 1:12, Paul goes so far as to quote a Cretan poet who said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” It was a harsh field of ministry, thoroughly worldly and rife with deceit. ② False Teachers Shaking the Church The seed of the gospel had fallen on this harsh island and a church had been established, but false teachers had crept in who insisted on Jewish myths and circumcision and were upsetting believers’ households with empty teachings. They were people who professed to know God with their mouths but denied Him by their works (1:16). ③ Titus the Troubleshooter Titus was a Gentile (Greek) co-worker whom Paul deeply trusted. When the church in Corinth was caught up in great strife, he was the ‘resolute and faithful troubleshooter’ who carried Paul’s tearful letter there and resolved the problem. Paul left Titus behind as the right person to set in order the church on this harsh island of Crete.
Content
Chapter 1: Establishing Order in the Church & the Qualifications of Leaders The reason Titus was left behind (verse 5): To put right what was lacking and to appoint elders (overseers) in every town. The qualifications of leaders: They must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, with faithful children. In particular, an overseer, as God’s steward, must manage his household well. Rebuking false teachers: He commands Titus to silence those who deceive with empty talk and to rebuke them sharply so that they may be sound in the faith. Chapter 2: The Life of Believers Fitting Sound Doctrine (Exhortations by Group) Roles within the community: He urges older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and even servants (slaves) each to live a well-ordered life worthy of the gospel in their own place. The purpose of salvation (verse 14): Christ gave Himself for us in order to purify us and make us ‘a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.’ Chapter 3: Believers in Society & the Essence of the Gospel Their attitude in the world: They must submit to rulers and authorities, treat all people with gentleness, and speak evil of no one. Salvation obtained by grace alone (verse 5): He reaffirms that “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” Guarding against heresy: He firmly commands that a person who stirs up division be avoided after one or two warnings, and sends his greetings.