New Testament · Letters of Paul · The Pastoral Letters · World English Bible
Titus
"Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us."
— Titus 3:5 
The Reading LensEvery verse pulled to the top of a book is chosen by three questions: Where is God’s heart here? Who is He protecting? Who is being saved by the action? It marks the place where those answers come into clearest focus — a “look at this, in this book.”
About the Letter
The third of the Pastoral Letters, written to a co-worker left on Crete to finish organising what was started there and to appoint elders in every town.
Its structure is a compact version of 1 Timothy: qualifications for leaders, instructions for the different groups in the community, and a short doctrinal core.
It contains a line that has embarrassed readers for centuries — a quotation from a Cretan poet about Cretans, which the letter endorses. It also contains two of the densest summaries of grace in the New Testament, at 2:11–14 and 3:4–7.
3 Chapters
Appoint Elders
The purpose of leaving him there, the qualifications — including managing his own household — and then a sharp assessment of teachers who are upsetting whole families for money.
Sound Teaching
Instructions to older men, older women, younger women, younger men and slaves, with a reason attached each time. Then the doctrinal core: grace that has appeared, training us to live sensibly while we wait.
Ready for Every Good Work
Submission to authorities, and a reminder that we were once foolish ourselves. Saved by mercy rather than by works. Avoid foolish controversies and quarrels about the law — they are unprofitable and worthless.