When Paul writes the letter we know as 2 Timothy he was in prison in Rome awaiting his execution. He desired to see Timothy one more time before his death (1:4). 2 Timothy is a good letter to read in a functional translation like the New Living Translation, available in the YouVersion app. You can read the entire letter probably in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Put yourself in Timothy’s place and read the letter as if it were addressed to you. How will you respond? Will you travel to Rome to be with Paul at his execution? 2 Tim. 4:13 is informative about Paul’s living conditions as well as how he wants to spend his remaining time and verse 16 shows how even Christian friends can let you down.
Titus was a Gentile and a coworker with Paul. While he is not mentioned in the Book of Acts, he is mentioned several times in Paul’s letters. Shortly after Paul’s first missionary journey, Titus accompanied Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem church and discuss Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:1-3). He also worked with the church at Corinth regarding their collection for the Christian poor in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-6). In 2 Tim. we learn that he later ministered in Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10) and in this letter addressed to him we know that he was ministering in Crete, an island just southeast of Corinth in the Mediterranean Sea.
Just as Timothy was instructed to correct the false teachers in Ephesus, Titus is instructed to confront the false teachers in Crete (1:10-16). In Titus 1:12-13 Paul appears to use an ethnic slur. In other blogs we’ve pointed out the great help in understanding that can come from a good Study Bible. Both the CSB and ESV Study Bibles have similar treatments on these verses. The ESV Study Bible has a slightly fuller discussion and will be included below.
In Titus 2:1 through 3:11 Paul gives specific instructions as to what Titus is to teach about the Christian life both within the church and with respect to those outside of the church. It’s interesting to note the imperative verbs in 1:1-3:11. In chapter 1 there is only one imperative verb. It’s found in 1:13 translated ‘rebuke’ in the CSB. In 2:1-3:11 there are nine imperatives or commands given to Titus. The CSB translates them as follows: 2:1 ‘proclaim,’ 2:6 ‘encourage,’ 2:15 ‘Proclaim, encourage, rebuke, and disregard,’ 3:1 ‘Remind,’ 3:9 ‘avoid,’ and 3:10 ‘reject.’ When we read Scripture we first must ask the question ‘what did it mean to the original audience in their cultural context’ and then ask ‘how is my cultural context similar to theirs and how is it different?’ Then after noting the similarities and differences we ask, ‘how will this instruction apply to me.’ Look at each of these imperatives and ask the question in your D-Group ‘How should we apply these commands?’
1Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Titus was a Gentile and a coworker with Paul. While he is not mentioned in the Book of Acts, he is mentioned several times in Paul’s letters. Shortly after Paul’s first missionary journey, Titus accompanied Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem church and discuss Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:1-3). He also worked with the church at Corinth regarding their collection for the Christian poor in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-6). In 2 Tim. we learn that he later ministered in Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10) and in this letter addressed to him we know that he was ministering in Crete, an island just southeast of Corinth in the Mediterranean Sea.
Just as Timothy was instructed to correct the false teachers in Ephesus, Titus is instructed to confront the false teachers in Crete (1:10-16). In Titus 1:12-13 Paul appears to use an ethnic slur. In other blogs we’ve pointed out the great help in understanding that can come from a good Study Bible. Both the CSB and ESV Study Bibles have similar treatments on these verses. The ESV Study Bible has a slightly fuller discussion and will be included below.
1:12–13 Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. Crete was proverbial in the ancient world for its moral decadence. The ancient historian Polybius wrote that it was “almost impossible to find … personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete” (Histories 6.47). Cicero also stated, “Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans … consider highway robbery honorable” (Republic 3.9.15). a prophet of their own. Wisely, Paul does not criticize the decadence of Cretan society directly but quotes a Cretan author instead and then quickly agrees with him (this testimony is true). Of course Paul means this as a generalization, not necessarily true of every single inhabitant of Crete. The quotation seems to be from Epimenides of Crete, though some have questioned this since his writings are known only through other authors’ quotations of him…1
In Titus 2:1 through 3:11 Paul gives specific instructions as to what Titus is to teach about the Christian life both within the church and with respect to those outside of the church. It’s interesting to note the imperative verbs in 1:1-3:11. In chapter 1 there is only one imperative verb. It’s found in 1:13 translated ‘rebuke’ in the CSB. In 2:1-3:11 there are nine imperatives or commands given to Titus. The CSB translates them as follows: 2:1 ‘proclaim,’ 2:6 ‘encourage,’ 2:15 ‘Proclaim, encourage, rebuke, and disregard,’ 3:1 ‘Remind,’ 3:9 ‘avoid,’ and 3:10 ‘reject.’ When we read Scripture we first must ask the question ‘what did it mean to the original audience in their cultural context’ and then ask ‘how is my cultural context similar to theirs and how is it different?’ Then after noting the similarities and differences we ask, ‘how will this instruction apply to me.’ Look at each of these imperatives and ask the question in your D-Group ‘How should we apply these commands?’
1Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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