Titus is book 17 of the 27 books of the New Testament and belongs to the Paul's Letters section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- New Testament · Paul's Letters
- Genre
- Letter (pastoral letter)
- Author (traditional)
- The apostle Paul, writing between his imprisonments, after ministry on Crete.
- Other views on authorship
- Often grouped with 1–2 Timothy as the 'Pastoral Letters' and viewed by many scholars as written by a follower of Paul; others hold to Paul's authorship.
- Date (traditional)
- About AD 62–64, after Paul's release from his first Roman imprisonment.
- Other views on dating
- If pseudonymous, roughly AD 80–110.
- Chapters
- 3
- Verses
- 46
- Reading time
- About 5 minutes (917 words in the BSB)
What is Titus about?
Paul had worked on Crete with Titus, a Gentile believer he trusted with difficult assignments. He left Titus behind to 'set in order what was unfinished' — chiefly, to appoint elders in each town. The churches were young, and some local teachers were stirring up arguments, chasing myths and using religion for profit.
Paul's answer is simple: choose leaders of proven character, teach sound doctrine, and let that teaching show up in daily life. Older men and women, younger people and slaves each receive practical counsel. The aim is that outsiders will see the gospel's beauty in how believers live.
Two compact summaries of the gospel (2:11–14 and 3:4–7) sit at the heart of the letter. They explain that salvation comes by God's mercy, not by our good works — and that the same grace then makes people eager to do good.
Outline of Titus
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Leaders for Crete Greeting; qualifications for elders; warning about false teachers. |
| 2 | Living out sound teaching Instructions for different groups, grounded in the grace of God that trains us. |
| 3 | Doing good in the world Be good citizens and gentle neighbours; saved by mercy, not works; final instructions. |
Key themes
- Grace that trains. Grace is not only pardon. In Titus it is a teacher that leads people away from ungodliness and toward self-controlled, upright lives while they wait for Christ's return.
- Character in leadership. Paul's list for elders focuses less on talent and more on faithfulness at home, self-control, hospitality and a firm grip on the truth.
- Good works as the fruit of salvation. Titus says repeatedly that believers should 'devote themselves to good works' (3:14), yet insists that God saved them by mercy, not because of those works.
- A witness to outsiders. Paul wants believers' behaviour to make the gospel attractive, so that no one can speak badly of God's word.
Key people and places
- Paul — The apostle writing with instructions.
- Titus — A Gentile co-worker trusted with organising the churches on Crete.
- Zenas and Apollos — Travelling workers Titus is asked to help on their way.
- Artemas and Tychicus — One of them will be sent to relieve Titus.
Places: Crete, Nicopolis.
Key verses in Titus
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.”
How Titus fits the big story
Titus shows the gospel moving from the first wave of mission in Acts into settled, lasting communities. It sits between 2 Timothy and Philemon, and alongside 1 Timothy it gives a picture of how churches were meant to be led after the apostles. Its summaries of salvation echo the great themes of Romans: rescue by grace through Jesus, followed by a changed life that waits in hope for his return.
How to read Titus
At 3 chapters a day you can read Titus in 1 day — in one sitting. Read the two gospel summaries (2:11–14 and 3:4–7) first, then read the practical instructions around them. Paul's 'therefore' always flows from what God has done.