On To Titus....

We continue our journey through the "pastoral" epistles this Sunday as we take up Titus chapter 1.



Here's a very brief intro to Titus taken from J. Sidlow Baxter's Explore the Book:

In 1 and 2 Timothy the emphasis is on doctrine; in Titus it is on good works.

First Timothy is a charge. Second Timothy is a challenge. The epistle to Titus is a caution--a strong and urgent reminder that sound faith must be accompanied by good works. The doctrine must be adorned by doing.

These three Pastoral epistles are really a trinity in unity, exhorting us to "guard" the precious "deposit" of the Gospel. In 1 Timothy we are to protect it. In 2 Timothy we are to proclaim it. In Titus we are to practice it.

Read Titus again, noting the emphasis, all through, on good works as the necessary evidence of salvation. It will leave no doubt as to the key theme here.

Perhaps we may say that the key verse is 3:8--"Be careful to maintain good works"--though we might also say the same about 2:14 and one or two other verses. The very last word before the parting salutation is again, "Maintain good works" (3:14).