March 17
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TITUS, A REMARKABLE MINISTER
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;4 To Titus, my true son in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.- Titus 1:1-4
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This letter of Paul was addressed to his beloved Titus, whom he called here as his true son in faith. We learn that Titus was a Greek, in other words, a Gentile as Galatians 2:3 says. In verse 4 here, we clearly see that Paul was the one who led Titus to Christ as Paul calls him true son in common faith. In Galatians 2:3, we know that Titus didn’t get circumcised as required by the law. He proved that the rite of circumcision is unnecessary for salvation.
Gotquestions.org comments on Titus: As a Gentile Christian, Titus would have been particularly effective in combating the heresy of the Judaizers. The Judaizers insisted that all Christians were bound by the Mosaic Law. Usually, the Judaizers honed in on circumcision: Gentiles must be circumcised, they said, in order to truly be saved (see Paul’s refutation of this teaching in Galatians 5:1-6). Titus knew this teaching well, for the subject had come up in Syrian Antioch, leading to the Jerusalem Council, of which he had been a part.
In this letter, Paul stresses the importance of growth of the faith of the believers and their knowledge of the truth and living godly live. In verse 2, he reminds them of God’s promise of eternal life which was given many years ago, but instructs them to hold on to that hope that they will be recipients of this eternal life as long as they continue to press on their maturity as believers.
This letter speaks very lovingly of his beloved Titus, whom he himself brought to God’s Kingdom. It must have been very heart warming to know that someone you have converted and discipled is walking and growing in the knowledge of God and in the building of the church and bringing the gospel to many places.
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul mentions how Titus’ heart is to grow the church and his passion to do so is a great example for any believer to emulate. A remarkable follower of Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer stay passionate with his ministry like Titus?