The Writings of Titus

Paul thought of this young man named Titus with great affection. Paul had seen Titus grow so well over the years. Titus had matured so much that he had been made the leader of the church on the island of Crete. Paul knew this was a very hard job. Crete was known as a hard place to live. Crete was known for its crime. Pirates often lived there. This culture had affected the church as Titus struggled to find good leaders for the church. 

Paul sat down to write a personal letter to Titus. But this letter would not be an easy letter to write. “What makes a good leader?” Paul thought to himself. Over the years Paul had seen so many different types of leaders in the church. Paul began to write down a list of all the similar characteristics these leaders shared. Paul thought of the different leaders he had known. They were people of Christian character, blameless in their home life as well as their personal life. The church at that time met in private homes. This is why its leaders needed to be good examples and have a good family life. As leaders they would encourage others by their example. 

As Paul writes this short letter to his good friend, he knows that this young church needs good theology as well as good leaders. Paul was strongly opposed to false teachings because it ruined lives and churches. Paul teaches on the work of Christ. Crete was full of people who were not Jews. They would know nothing of the full identity of God. Paul knew that teaching for church leadership also needed to have a spiritual knowledge of God connected with it.

Paul puts his pen down for a minute while writing this letter. He offers a prayer to God asking for inspiration from the Holy Spirit, so he can write all that Titus and the church in Crete needs to know. After hearing from heaven, Paul continues writing. He gives Titus advice on how the various people in the church should live. Paul encourages Titus to speak to all groups: to women and men, to servants and to the young and old. No one is exempt from being able to live a life fully devoted to God. No one who lives a life fully devoted to God is exempt from Christian leadership. 

As Paul writes this letter, he becomes aware of how the Holy Spirit is weaving together these different themes into one special message for Titus and the church. Imagine Paul smiling as he finishes his letter to Titus. Paul had seen this happen many times during his life. When Christians in churches, know their salvation in Christ and live it well each day, selecting Christian leaders is more like identifying who God has already selected. Christians, though their faith and action, position themselves for leadership. Paul knew Titus would follow his counsel. Titus was a good leader and he would raise up more good leaders. For Paul, this was a personal letter to his good friend Titus, because leadership is not institutional but very personal.