SET IN ORDER. Titus 1 Chapter 1 highlights the need for the Government in the Assembly to maintain an orderly church. This way, the assembly can keep things “Set in Order.” Chapter 2 discusses the importance of Grace at Home and its effect on believers' personal lives when they “Adorn the Doctrine.” Chapter 3 emphasizes believers' lives in the world and the public significance of “Maintain Good Works.”
Four aspects of “God our Savior” are worth noting: the Commandment [1:3], the Doctrine [2:10], the Appearing [2:13], and the Kindness and Love of God our Savior. In our local gatherings of believers, focusing on these will help us become an orderly, sound, and practical Church.
When a charismatic leader passes away, a vacuum is created that can negatively impact the work unless that leader has genuinely prepared others in advance. If a project is left without capable, well-trained younger leaders, an assembly can fall apart and might even cease to exist. Enthusiastic leaders like Paul dedicate their lives to the work of God and His word. They understand the importance of publicly proclaiming the Gospel and know others must be trained to carry on the "work of the ministry." This training should occur before the energetic leader departs and before the vitality and effectiveness of the assembly diminish. We need to evaluate ourselves to see if we have anything to pass on to others. If we do, then we are qualified and responsible to do so.
At the start of this letter, Paul outlines his own ministry, Titus' responsibilities, and the leaders Titus would identify and train. Titus himself was qualified for this task. Although Titus is not mentioned in the Book of Acts, he is referenced thirteen times elsewhere in the New Testament. We should be alert to those whom the Spirit of God is raising up to lead the saints.
Titus was one of Paul’s Gentile converts and a valuable helper in his ministry of the Gospel and in building up the believers in the church. He took Titus with him when he traveled from Antioch to Jerusalem to discuss with the elders there how the Gentiles were listening to the Gospel, accepting the message of salvation, and being saved by God’s grace. This was contrary to what Jewish false teachers were teaching.
Titus had been with Paul at Ephesus and was likely trusted to deliver the corrective letter from the apostle to the Corinthians. Paul searched for Titus, hoping to meet him in Troas and learn news about the Corinthian church. When he couldn't find Titus in Troas, he went to Macedonia, probably to Philippi, where he found Titus. Paul traveled from Ephesus to Philippi, while Titus traveled from Corinth across the Aegean Sea to meet him there.
When Titus met him in Macedonia, he told him that the situation in the Corinthian assembly had improved, which led him to write 2nd Corinthians. Titus, along with two other brothers, was responsible for organizing the final collections of funds to support the needy saints. When we combine all we know about Titus, we see that he was a capable man who was resourceful in his leadership. He exemplified strong leadership, which was evident among Gentile believers.
After Paul was released from prison in Rome before his final imprisonment, he and Titus traveled together. They stopped in Crete, but Paul had to continue traveling. He left Titus behind to assist the churches in Crete. Paul warned Titus to watch out for people who teach false doctrines and lead others into error. False teachers tend to focus on themselves rather than on Christ. They want you to compromise your faith and often downplay the divinity of Christ and the inspiration of Scripture. They encourage believers to make decisions based on human judgment instead of prayer and biblical guidance.
From reading about Titus, we learn that he was a man of obvious grace, godliness, and good works. Grace is especially necessary when issues need correction. Godliness is essential when sound doctrine is taught. People have the right to expect those who teach to practice what they preach. Good works of kindness, love, and righteousness are not unfruitful but serve as a testimony to God's grace working through His servants. A significant, purposeful, and meaningful relationship with God is evident in those He uses.