Commentary on Galatians (12)

This high view of Titus is more than our speculation, since there is a richer basis for it. He was entrusted with the task of dealing with the Corinthians. We know what sort of people they could be, but he returned with a good report (2 Corinthians 7:13-16). Paul also sent him to collect donations pledged by them (2 Corinthians 8:6), so he could be trusted with money as well. Regarding God's work, he was eager, zealous, and willing to initiate (2 Corinthians 8:16-17). Paul called him his "partner and fellow worker," and "an honor to Christ" (2 Corinthians 8:23).

Considered Paul's "true son" in the faith (Titus 1:4), Titus was a dependable ministry worker. But in addition to this, he was also a strong leader. Paul trusted him to complete what he himself "left unfinished" in Crete (Titus 1:5), implying that the apostle had full confidence in his competence and character. He was instructed to "appoint elders in every town" (Titus 1:5), a task that presumably required authority, knowledge, discernment, and maturity. The fact that Cretans were in general "liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons" (Titus 1:12), reflects on the exceptional courage and skill of Titus to manage troublesome people. He was told to "rebuke them sharply" (Titus 1:13) and "with all authority" (2:15).

In his letter to Titus, it is significant that Paul gives only instructions concerning the things to be said and done accompanied by almost no personal encouragement or theological expositions. He assumes that Titus could and would do all that he says without fear and without fail.

This observation is rendered more reliable when we make a contrast against Paul's letters to Timothy. Among the numerous statements that are apparently designed to excite and assure, the apostle reminds this other "true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2) of the prophecies concerning him, and by this, encourages him to "fight the good fight" (1:18). He is urged to "fan into flames the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6), implying that there is dormant potential, so that by this he could overcome "a spirit of timidity" (1:7), and possibly a tendency that is sensitive to the pressure to become "ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of [Paul] his prisoner" (1:8).

He is repeatedly urged to "be strong" (2:1) and to "endure hardship" (2:3). Paul calls to mind the persecutions he endured, as well as the Lord's faithfulness to deliver him, to encourage Timothy to "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of" (3:14). In dramatic language, the apostle invokes the very name and presence of God, charging Timothy to "preach the word" (4:2) whether the times are favorable or unfavorable, "for the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine" (4:3).

It would be unfair to press the contrast too far. Since our focus is on Titus and his strengths, the above does not care to mention Timothy's good qualities, although he had many. He was also Paul's true son in the faith, trusted with important tasks and delicate situations. There is also the danger of unnecessary inferences. For example, that Paul encouraged Timothy to "be strong" does not necessarily mean that Timothy was weak, although it is correct to assume that it is at least an issue with him, so that Paul is not making an irrelevant point. Then, some of the differences might be accounted for due to varying circumstances.

That said, it remains that such personal assurance and encouragement are almost totally absent in Paul's letter to Titus, and as mentioned, the Cretans were not at all easy to handle. The letter provides not even a hint of any flaw or weakness in Titus. Therefore, even if the contrast is not as glaring as it first appears, a genuine difference remains. Titus was also Paul's "true son" in the faith, and at least for the sake of the ministry, the apostle would have given him any addition information and encouragement that he needed. But Paul assumed that if he would give clear and direct instructions to Titus, then that is exactly what would be accomplished. There was no need for any prodding or hand-holding.

Based on the biblical evidence, we must conclude that Titus was most likely a competent, fearless, and resourceful Christian. He was honest, loyal, and could follow instructions, and at the same time, one could hardly find superior leadership material. He was the one for the tough jobs. He was the one who got things done no matter how difficult the people or situation was, or how much pressure he would come under.

And this is the reason that he receives so much attention in this commentary. The relationship between Paul and Timothy is often discussed, but Titus tends to be neglected. Perhaps so much is devoted to Timothy because the New Testament contains more information about him – there are two letters directed to him, each one longer than the one to Titus. Yet if we will spend some time to study and reflect, we shall find much to learn from this other true son in the faith. Then, perhaps Timothy is favored because he is more relatable – many Christians have needs that parallel his.

That final statement might be easier to accept if left unexplained, but it would be inconsistent with my usual style to be so vague. What I mean is that most Christians are weaklings, and are in constant need of encouragement and assurance. The problem is that they also lack the good qualities of Timothy, nor do they have Paul as their teacher. If Timothy had a problem of timidity, Paul's letters were meant to remedy it, to help him overcome it. That these letters provide a permanent record of Paul's solution does not mean that the corresponding problem should remain permanent in us. That would be to defeat the very purpose of the solution. In any case, this is precisely the reason we must study Titus as well, for if we aspire to his strength and resourcefulness, then we must attempt to know him better, so that we may emulate him.

As for his relevance to our study of Galatians, now we should understand better why Titus was an excellent choice, whether Paul brought him because of mere expedience, or whether he intentionally took him up to Jerusalem as a test case or as an example of the fruit of his ministry.