Bible Characters
Who Was Titus in the Bible? Paul's Gentile Coworker and Leader in Crete
Titus was a Greek Christian and a trusted coworker of the apostle Paul. He went with Paul to Jerusalem as an uncircumcised Gentile believer (Galatians 2:1-3), handled a difficult assignment in Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6-7), and was left in Crete to appoint elders in the churches (Titus 1:5). Paul's letter to him is one of the three Pastoral Epistles.
Titus is never named in the Book of Acts. Everything the Bible says about him comes from Paul's letters, mainly 2 Corinthians, Galatians, 2 Timothy and the letter to Titus.
Titus Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | A common Latin name of the period |
| Testament | New Testament |
| Key books | 2 Corinthians, Galatians 2, 2 Timothy 4:10, Titus |
| Time period | First century AD, about AD 48-67 (traditional dating) |
| Background | A Greek, not circumcised (Galatians 2:3) |
| Relationship to Paul | Paul called him his true son in the faith (Titus 1:4) and his partner and coworker (2 Corinthians 8:23) |
| Known for | Serving in Corinth, organizing churches in Crete, and receiving Paul's letter |
Titus and the Jerusalem Visit
Paul writes that fourteen years after an earlier visit, he went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and took Titus along (Galatians 2:1). Paul presented the gospel he preached among the Gentiles to the leaders there (Galatians 2:2).
Titus was a Greek, and he was not compelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3). Paul uses this as evidence that the Jerusalem leaders accepted his gospel, which did not require Gentile believers to take on circumcision. Many interpreters connect this visit with the famine visit of Acts 11:30 or the council of Acts 15:1-4. For more on Paul's traveling companion, see who was Barnabas in the Bible.
Titus and the Church in Corinth
Titus appears most often in 2 Corinthians, where Paul names him nine times. The letters show that Paul sent him to Corinth during a painful period in Paul's relationship with that church.
Waiting for Titus
Paul had written the Corinthians a severe letter in great distress and with many tears (2 Corinthians 2:4). When Paul came to Troas and did not find Titus there, he had no peace of mind, so he left for Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). Even in Macedonia Paul describes conflicts on the outside and fears within (2 Corinthians 7:5).
God comforted Paul by the arrival of Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6). Titus reported that the Corinthians longed for Paul, mourned over what had happened, and were eager to set things right (2 Corinthians 7:7). Paul adds that Titus was refreshed by them and that his affection for them grew as he remembered their obedience (2 Corinthians 7:13-15).
The Collection for Jerusalem
Paul was gathering an offering from Gentile churches for poor believers in Jerusalem. Titus had already begun this work in Corinth, and Paul urged him to bring it to completion (2 Corinthians 8:6).
Paul thanked God that Titus had the same concern for the Corinthians and was coming to them on his own initiative (2 Corinthians 8:16-17). Paul sent two other brothers with him so that the handling of the gift would be honorable before both the Lord and people (2 Corinthians 8:18-22). He calls Titus his partner and coworker among them (2 Corinthians 8:23).
Later, when some in Corinth questioned Paul's motives, he pointed to Titus's conduct. Paul asks whether Titus exploited them and whether they did not act in the same spirit and walk in the same footsteps (2 Corinthians 12:18).
Titus in Crete
Paul and Titus worked together on the island of Crete, a ministry that Acts does not describe and that is usually placed after the events Acts records. When Paul left, he gave Titus a specific task:
"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you." (Titus 1:5, NIV)
Paul's letter gives Titus the qualifications for elders. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, and have believing children who are not open to charges of being wild (Titus 1:6). He must not be overbearing, quick-tempered, given to drunkenness, violent or greedy, and must hold firmly to sound teaching (Titus 1:7-9).
Instructions for the Churches
Titus faced people Paul describes as rebellious talkers and deceivers, especially from the circumcision group, who were disrupting households for dishonest gain (Titus 1:10-11). Paul told Titus to rebuke them sharply so they would be sound in the faith (Titus 1:13).
Paul also gave Titus instructions for older men, older women, younger women, younger men and slaves (Titus 2:1-10). He told Titus himself to set an example by doing what is good and teaching with integrity (Titus 2:7-8). The letter grounds these instructions in the grace of God that brings salvation and in the hope of Christ's appearing (Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7).
Titus's Later Travels
At the end of the letter, Paul says he will send Artemas or Tychicus to Crete. When they arrived, Titus was to do his best to join Paul at Nicopolis, where Paul planned to spend the winter (Titus 3:12). Paul also asked Titus to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way (Titus 3:13).
The last biblical mention of Titus comes in Paul's final letter. Writing from prison, Paul says Titus has gone to Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10), a region along the eastern Adriatic coast. The text gives no reason for the trip and does not group him with Demas, who deserted Paul.
Later Tradition
Early church tradition, recorded by the historian Eusebius in the fourth century, says Titus became the first bishop of Crete. This is tradition and is not stated in the Bible.
Lessons From Titus's Life
- The gospel includes Gentiles. Titus, a Greek, was accepted by the Jerusalem leaders without circumcision (Galatians 2:3).
- Reliable people are sent into hard places. Paul trusted Titus with a strained church in Corinth and unsettled churches in Crete (2 Corinthians 7:6-7; Titus 1:5).
- Integrity in handling money. Titus helped administer the collection in a way meant to be honorable before God and people (2 Corinthians 8:20-21).
- Sound teaching and good works belong together. Paul told Titus to teach sound doctrine and set an example of good works (Titus 2:1, 2:7).
Where Titus Appears in the Bible
- 2 Corinthians 2:13: Paul does not find Titus in Troas
- 2 Corinthians 7:6-15: Titus brings good news from Corinth
- 2 Corinthians 8:6, 8:16-23: Titus and the collection
- 2 Corinthians 12:18: Titus's conduct in Corinth
- Galatians 2:1-3: Titus goes with Paul to Jerusalem
- 2 Timothy 4:10: Titus goes to Dalmatia
- Titus 1-3: Paul's letter to Titus in Crete
To learn more about the apostle who mentored Titus, read who was Paul in the Bible. Another of Paul's coworkers is profiled in who was Luke in the Bible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Titus in the Bible?
Titus was a Greek Christian and coworker of Paul who served in Corinth and was left in Crete to appoint elders (2 Corinthians 8:23; Titus 1:5). Paul wrote the New Testament letter to Titus to guide that work.
Was Titus a Jew or a Gentile?
Titus was a Gentile. Paul says Titus was a Greek and was not compelled to be circumcised when he went to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:3).
Is Titus mentioned in the Book of Acts?
No. Titus is not named in Acts. All biblical information about him comes from Paul's letters.
What did Paul ask Titus to do in Crete?
Paul asked Titus to put in order what was unfinished and to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). He was also to teach sound doctrine and correct false teachers (Titus 1:13; 2:1).
Is the Titus in the Bible the Roman emperor Titus?
No. Paul's coworker Titus is a different person from the Roman general Titus who destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70 and later became emperor.