The book of Titus was written by the Apostle Paul between AD 62 and AD 64. At this time, Paul had traveled following his first Roman imprisonment, and he entrusted Titus with fostering strong leadership and sound doctrine among believers on the island of Crete. Crete is in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of Greece, known for its ports and trading activity during the Roman Empire. The letter highlights the challenges Titus faced among the Cretan population, which was known for its moral and cultural deficiencies.

Paul’s main purpose is to advise Titus on how to appoint qualified elders and set churches in proper order. He stresses essential character traits for church leaders, discussing the importance of faith, integrity, and leadership ability. Paul also instructs Titus on the need to rebuke false teachers, whose divisive teachings threaten to corrupt the local congregations. He wants the believers under Titus’s guidance to demonstrate godly living so that they display the transformative power of faith.

In encouraging Titus to promote righteous behavior, Paul stresses the goodness and mercy of God as the basis for Christian conduct. He writes, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (2:11) to remind followers of God’s gracious gift revealed through Christ. Sound doctrine, Paul insists, should be lived out in wholesome relationships and moral uprightness. By practicing what they preach, believers will be a positive witness, silencing criticisms and drawing others to the faith.

This short letter closes with Paul offering closing instructions and greetings, urging Titus to come to him in Nicopolis (a city on the western coast of Greece) when he has completed his ministry on Crete. Paul’s instructions to Titus, rooted in the historical and cultural realities of Crete under Roman rule (when Emperor Nero reigned from AD 54 to 68), remain a timeless reminder for church leaders to faithfully teach Scripture, correct error, and exemplify a holy lifestyle.