TITUS is often mentioned in the Epistles as Paul's companion and fellow-laborer. He was a Greek, Timothy being a Jew; and, although Paul allowed of the circumcision of Timothy, out of regard to the feelings of the Jewish brethren, he would not permit this rite to be performed upon Titus, (Gal. 2:3, 4;) thus showing that, while he allowed Jews to continue Jews, he would not countenance the idea that the rites and observances of the Mosaic law were essential to the salvation of the Gentiles. This Epistle is addressed to Titus at Crete, a large island in the Mediterranean, south of the Egean Sea. It is now called Candia. Paul had left Titus in Crete, in charge of the churches which had been founded there. (1:5.) His position in respect to the church, and his duties, were similar to those of Timothy at Ephesus, and the instructions contained in this Epistle, accordingly, correspond very closely with those addressed to Timothy.

      2. Promised; in the counsels of his own will.

      5. Left I thee in Crete. The ship in which Paul performed his voyage to Rome, as recorded at the close of the Acts, touched repeatedly at the ports of Crete. This is the only case in which any record remains of Paul's visiting the island. At what time he put Titus in charge there, and when this Epistle was written to him, are both wholly unknown.--Elders; pastors; called bishops in v. 7. [477]

      6. These directions (6-9) correspond very closely with those given to Timothy on the same subject. (1 Tim. 3:2-9.)--Riot, dissoluteness of manners, or excess of any kind.

      9. The faithful word; the word worthy of faith; that is, truths well established and sure.--Sound doctrine; sound instruction.--Gainsayers; opposers.

      10. They of the circumcision; the Jews.

      11. For filthy lucre's sake. In what way precisely this pharisaical sanctity was turned to the purposes of gain, is not known. There are frequent allusions, however, to the fact that this was done. (Compare Matt. 23:14. 1 Tim. 6:5. 2 Tim. 3:6, 7.)

      12. A prophet; a pagan prophet.

      15. All things are pure; that is, all kinds of meats and drinks. The idea is the same that the apostle has, in his other Epistles, so often advanced,--that he whose heart is pure need not be solicitous about ceremonial distinctions and prohibitions.

      1. Speak thou; teach, inculcate. [478]

      8. Ashamed; confounded.

      9. Answering again; contradicting and objecting.

      1. To be subject; to be obedient.

      9. The law; the Mosaic law. Similar cautions were given to Timothy. (1 Tim. 1:4.)

      10. That is a heretic; that maintains the corrupt opinions and practices which the apostle had been condemning.--Reject; exclude from the church.

      12. The name of Artemas is not [479] elsewhere mentioned. Tychicus is spoken of Acts 20:4. There were several cities named Nicopolis in the various provinces visited by Paul, and it is uncertain which was here intended.--There to winter. This expression seems to imply that Paul was not then at Nicopolis, as is stated in the subscription at the end of the Epistle. These subscriptions are not to be considered as a part of the inspired volume. They are in many instances supposed to be erroneous. [480]

[AINT 477-480]