Titus was a Gentile convert to Christianity who had traveled and ministered with the Apostle Paul. After leaving Timothy in Ephesus, Paul and Titus traveled on to Crete. Paul then left Titus behind to establish leadership in the churches. His task was to appoint elders and lead them with an example of teaching sound doctrine and being a model of good works. Paul wrote this letter in about A.D 63 to instruct Titus about what he should do and teach in the Cretan churches. The theme of the letter is summed up in Tit 3:8, “those who have believed in God [should] be careful to devote themselves to good works.” Salvation is by grace through faith alone but the result should be a life devoted to good works (Eph 2:8-10).

Paul uses the customary letter opening of the day and introduces himself as the author and outlines his qualifications. He is first and foremost a servant of Jesus Christ and then an apostle by appointment. Despite his authority as an apostle, he had a servant’s heart. Paul sums up his mission to build up the church, God’s elected or chosen people, and build up their faith through increased knowledge of the truth with the objective of producing godliness in their lives. This truth is based on the sure hope in the future of eternal life which is based on the promise of God who promised it before creation and revealed it over time through the Scriptures and most fully through the message God gave Paul to preach. God had promised a Saviour right back in Genesis 3:15 and revealed his plan more fully through Moses and the Prophets. God created a people for Himself in the nation of Israel and then in the New Testament introduced the church, a people for Himself from all nations, which had remained a mystery throughout the Old Testament period. But God is not done with Israel. He still has very specific plans for that nation which will come to fruition at the time of Christ’s return. Paul indicates that faith and a life of godliness rest in our hope of eternal life. The Christian’s hope is not based on wishful thinking but on the certainty of God’s promise, yet it is something we still wait for.

Paul wrote this letter to Titus, with specific instructions to him that have wider application to the whole church across the ages. Paul calls Titus his true child which possibly means he had the privilege of introducing Titus to his Saviour, Jesus. He also mentions they share a common faith. Paul, a Jew, and Titus, an uncircumcised Gentile, share a common faith (Gal 3:28).

Paul extends grace and peace, a customary greeting in Paul’s letters. Grace is unmerited favour bestowed on us by our Father and allows us to have peace with Him. God as Father is not universal but unique to believers who are adopted into His family and given the right to be children of God. This was made possible through Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

How would you define your salvation? Is it something you hope in but without surety? Are you battling to have the confidence that you are right with God and looking to how you live to find evidence? Or is it something you hope in as Paul describes, a sure thing because of the promise of God?