Titus

Life and work

Titus was a Greek, and Paul brought him along to a pivotal meeting with the Jerusalem apostles specifically to make a point: even under pressure from those insisting on circumcision for Gentile believers, 'not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek' (Galatians 2:1-3). His presence became living proof of Paul's argument that Gentiles didn't need to adopt Jewish law to be full members of the church.

Paul relied on Titus for difficult, high-trust assignments. He sent him to Corinth to help resolve serious tension with the church there, and was visibly relieved and comforted when Titus brought back good news of their repentance (2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 13-15). Paul also entrusted Titus with organizing the collection for the Jerusalem church among the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:6, 16-23), calling him 'my partner and co-worker.'

The Epistle to Titus shows him later stationed on Crete, tasked by Paul with a specific mandate: 'The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you' (Titus 1:5). The letter gives detailed qualifications for elders and instructions for teaching sound doctrine to a church still finding its footing.

Extra-biblical evidence

No contemporary extra-biblical source records Titus; everything known about him comes from Paul's letters. Later church tradition names him the first bishop of Crete, but this is not a contemporary historical record.

Scripture references

• Galatians 2:1-3 — Not compelled to be circumcised as a Gentile
• 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 — Brings Paul comforting news from Corinth
• Titus 1:5 — Left in Crete to appoint elders in every town

Further reading

• Encyclopaedia Britannica: Saint Titus