{"id":2005,"date":"2012-04-30T22:39:06","date_gmt":"2012-04-30T21:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/?p=2005"},"modified":"2022-11-18T12:24:11","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T11:24:11","slug":"fragebogen-titus-einleitung-sonderlektion-englisch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/fragebogen-titus-einleitung-sonderlektion-englisch\/","title":{"rendered":"Fragebogen: Titus-Einleitung (Sonderlektion, englisch)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Download<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction to Titus Study<\/p>\n

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EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD<\/h2>\n

\u201c\u2026who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tit 2:14<\/p>\n

Author, Date & Place of Writing; Place in Scripture<\/em><\/p>\n

Apostle Paul introduces himself as the author of this letter. Most scholars believe he wrote it around A.D. 64, perhaps at the same time he wrote 1 Timothy. It is unknown where Paul was when he wrote this letter. Titus is one of the Pastoral Epistles, along with 1 and 2 Timothy.<\/p>\n

Recipient: Titus<\/em><\/p>\n

Titus\u2019 name first appears in Galatians, perhaps the earliest of all the New Testament writings. In Galatians 2:1\u20133 we learn that Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their journey to Jerusalem from Antioch. From this it seems that early on, Paul was discipling Titus. It is possible that Titus was one of the earliest Gentile converts in the church at Antioch (Ac11:19\u201321). Galatians 2:3 clearly states that Titus was a Greek and was not circumcised after becoming a Christian. So he is a prime example of a Gentile being included among God\u2019s people solely on the basis of his faith in Jesus.<\/p>\n

In this letter Paul calls Titus \u201cmy true son in our common faith\u201d (1:4). Though Paul was a Jew and Titus a Gentile, Paul had great affection and respect for him. Paul left Titus in Crete to carry out his unfinished task of appointing elders in every town (1:5). Because of this, Titus is uniquely prominent in the New Testament as a Gentile pastor.<\/p>\n

In Paul\u2019s letter of 2 Corinthians Titus appears as a trusted leader. At Troas Paul was looking for Titus to hear about what was happening in the Corinthian church (2:13). The church in Corinth had had many unusual problems, as well as a conflict with Paul\u2019s leadership. Of all the people he could have chosen, Paul sent Titus there to help resolve the matters.1<\/sup><\/a> When Paul finally met him in Macedonia, Titus happily reported to Paul about the repentance of the Corinthians (7:5\u20137,13b). Paul also entrusted Titus with the collection of an offering from the Corinthians for the Lord\u2019s people in Jerusalem, which Titus himself had actually initiated there (8:6; cf. Ro15:25). Paul appealed to Titus to go back to Corinth, and Paul was thankful because God had put into the heart of Titus the same concern for the Corinthians he had (8:16). Titus welcomed Paul\u2019s appeal with much enthusiasm, and he went to them on his own initiative a second time (8:17\u201318a). Paul calls Titus \u201cmy brother\u201d and \u201cmy partner and coworker among you\u201d (2:13; 8:23). Titus\u2019 trustworthy stewardship of the offering would win the trust of many people (8:20\u201321; 12:18). Finally, in 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul says that Titus went to Dalmatia, in modern-day Croatia, presumably to care for some believers there.<\/p>\n

Background of the Island of Crete<\/em><\/p>\n

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It has large mountains and a temperate climate with great beauty. According to historians, the ancient civilization of the Minoans began on this island around 2700 B.C. It had a very sophisticated culture and language, and its people built palaces in many places on the island. It may be that these palaces became full of hedonism. Their society was eventually overcome by the Mycenaens around 1600 B.C., and the island suffered from volcanic activity and earthquakes. When its civilization declined, its people seem to have despaired, so much so that one of Crete\u2019s own prophets, Epimenides, popularized a saying: \u201cCretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.\u201d After ministering there in person, Apostle Paul concluded, \u201cThis saying is true\u201d (1:12\u201313a).<\/p>\n

Purpose of Writing<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul and Titus had ministered together on the island of Crete; now Paul left Titus there to \u201cput in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town\u201d (1:5). Titus was to rebuke and silence rebellious people and teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine (1:10\u201311,13; 2:1). Paul\u2019s goal was that the believers in Crete would live such good lives that outsiders would respect their faith, \u201cnot malign the word of God,\u201d and thus they would \u201cmake the teaching about God our Savior attractive\u201d (2:5,10; 3:1\u20132,8). Paul personally encouraged Titus to teach with spiritual authority (2:15) and to avoid foolish controversies (3:9). He also taught him to deal clearly with divisive people (3:10\u201311).<\/p>\n

Characteristics of the Letter<\/em><\/p>\n

The first unusual trait in Titus is Paul\u2019s rather long identification of himself in 1:1\u20133, where he clarifies his purpose in being an apostle of Jesus Christ. It is \u201cto further the faith of God\u2019s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness\u201d (1:1b) and to assure them of the hope of eternal life (1:2). In these verses Paul emphasizes God\u2019s sovereignty in his salvation work. God chooses \u201chis elect\u201d (1:1), promises them eternal life before the beginning of time (1:2), and in his appointed season has brought the gospel to light through Apostle Paul (1:3).<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s theology in this letter is very brief but is consistent with his writings elsewhere, that we are saved only by God\u2019s mercy and justified by his grace through Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us and made us heirs of eternal life (2:14; 3:5a,7). Paul does, however, use a rather unique expression in Titus, that we are saved \u201cthrough the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit\u201d (3:5b; cf. Jn3:3,5; Ac2:38; 19:2,5\u20136; Gal3:5; Eph5:26). In Titus Paul repeats the expression \u201cour Savior\u201d six times (1:3,4; 2:10,13; 3:4,6). It teaches that God really wants to save all people from their sins and wickedness (2:11,14).<\/p>\n

The letter of Titus is very similar to the pastoral letter of 1 Timothy. Because of this, some scholars believe these two letters were written around the same time. As in 1 Timothy, Paul deals with false teachers and their teachings (1:10\u201316; 3:9\u201311; cf. 1Ti1:3\u20137; 4:1\u20134; 6:3\u20135,20). He urges us to hold firmly to the trustworthy message and to be sound in doctrine and in the faith (1:9,13b; cf. 1Ti1:10,19a; 3:9). As in 1 Timothy, in Titus Paul lists the qualifications for elders, and gives specific teachings for older men, older women, younger women, young men and slaves (1:6\u20139; 2:2\u20134,6,9; cf. 1Ti3:2\u201313; 5:1\u20136:2a). Paul also mentions in Titus a \u201ctrustworthy saying\u201d (3:8a; cf. 1Ti1:15a; 3:1; 4:9; 2Ti2:11). As in 1 Timothy, Paul reminds us of our past sinful lives in order to magnify God\u2019s mercy and his saving grace (3:3\u20137; 1Ti1:12\u201316).<\/p>\n

The letter of Titus is mainly full of practical instructions for Christian living. These instructions are written in imperatives, giving the letter a sense of urgency. Twice Paul even urges Titus to rebuke his members (1:13b; 2:15).<\/p>\n

Major Theme<\/em><\/p>\n

Indisputably, the major theme of Titus is \u201cdoing what is good.\u201d In three chapters the word \u201cgood\u201d is repeated eight times. We should \u201clove what is good\u201d (1:8). We should not be \u201cunfit for doing anything good\u201d (1:16). We should \u201cteach what is good\u201d (2:3) and \u201cset an example by doing what is good\u201d (2:7). We should even be \u201ceager to do what is good\u201d (2:14) and \u201cready to do whatever is good\u201d (3:1). We should \u201cbe careful to devote\u201d ourselves \u201cto doing what is good\u201d (3:8) and \u201clearn to devote\u201d ourselves \u201cto doing what is good\u201d (3:14).<\/p>\n

Paul suggests what he means by \u201cwhat is good\u201d in several places. First of all, he says what is not<\/strong> good: to be wild, rebellious and disobedient (1:6,10,16; 3:3), drunkards (1:7; 2:3), \u201cliars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons\u201d (1:12), to be \u201coverbearing, quick-tempered or violent\u201d (1:7), \u201cdisruptive\u201d (1:11), to pursue \u201cdishonest gain\u201d (1:7b,11b), to be \u201cfull of meaningless talk and deception\u201d (1:10; 3:3), \u201ccorrupted\u201d in both mind and conscience (1:15), \u201cslanderers\u201d (2:3; 3:2), to \u201ctalk back\u201d (2:9), to \u201csteal\u201d (2:10), to say \u201cYes\u201d to \u201cungodliness and worldly passions\u201d (2:12) and be \u201censlaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures\u201d (3:3), to be \u201cfoolish\u201d (3:3,9), to live \u201cin malice and envy, being hated and hating one another\u201d (3:3b), to be \u201cdivisive\u201d (3:10), \u201cwarped and sinful\u201d (3:11), and \u201cto live unproductive lives\u201d (3:14).<\/p>\n

Paul also specifies what it means to do good: to be \u201cblameless\u201d (1:6,7), \u201cfaithful to one\u2019s wife\u201d (1:6), \u201chospitable, upright, holy and disciplined\u201d (1:8), \u201cself-controlled\u201d (1:8; 2:2,5,6,12), to \u201cencourage others by sound doctrine\u201d and refute opponents (1:9), to be \u201cpure\u201d (1:15; 2:5), \u201ctemperate, worthy of respect\u2026and sound in faith, in love and in endurance\u201d (2:2; cf. 1:13), to be \u201creverent in the way [we] live\u201d (2:3), to \u201clove [one\u2019s] husband and children\u201d (2:4), \u201cto be busy at home, kind and subject to [one\u2019s] husband\u201d (2:5), to teach with \u201cintegrity, seriousness and soundness of speech\u201d (2:7b\u20138a), to be subject to one\u2019s master (employer) and to all rulers and authorities (2:9; 3:1), to be trustworthy (2:10), to live a godly life (2:12), \u201cto be obedient\u2026to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone\u201d (3:1\u20132), and finally, \u201cto provide for urgent needs\u201d (3:14). Paul urges us to \u201clove\u201d these things and be \u201cdevoted,\u201d \u201ccareful\u201d and \u201ceager\u201d to do them (1:8; 2:14; 3:8,14). To do good, Paul especially emphasizes the necessity of self-control (1:8; 2:2,5,6,12).<\/p>\n

Doing what is good comes not just from human goodness but from receiving the gospel of Jesus. Jesus \u201cgave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness, and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good\u201d (2:14). Unfortunately, there are people who claim to know God but are not so eager to do good; by their actions they deny him (1:16). If there is no evidence of goodness in one\u2019s life, something is wrong with that person\u2019s gospel faith. Paul is not teaching mere moralism; by living a life full of good deeds, Christians can make the teaching about God our Savior attractive, be a good influence, and even change the environment around them. This is a practical way of lifestyle evangelism (cf. Mt5:16).<\/p>\n

Purpose of our Study<\/em><\/p>\n

We have to remember that Titus is a pastoral epistle. So through this study we want to learn how to set a good example and how to help God\u2019s flock to be eager to do what is good in their practical lives. In our contemporary post-Christian society, many claim to be Christians but are not practicing all that they know; their practical lives do not bear the fruit of goodness that comes from faith. Even prominent Christian leaders stumble. Because of this, many in secular society perceive Christians as hypocrites, and many so-called Christians become a laughingstock. Through this study of Titus may God help us to grow in living a good life that glorifies God and blesses others, and may he help us as shepherds to teach this kind of life to all our members, so that we can make the gospel teaching attractive in our time.<\/p>\n

Outline of Titus<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Introduction and Greetings (1:1\u20134)<\/li>\n
  2. Appoint Qualified Elders\/Overseers \t(1:5\u20139)<\/li>\n
  3. False Teachers in the Cretan \tChurches (1:10\u201316)<\/li>\n
  4. Doing What is Good, to Uphold the \tGospel (2:1\u201310)<\/li>\n
  5. The Grace of God Transforms our \tPractical Lives (2:11\u201315)<\/li>\n
  6. Teach Believers How to Live in \tSociety (3:1\u201311)<\/li>\n
  7. Final Remarks (3:12\u201315)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    1<\/a> Paul wrote the letter of 1 \tCorinthians instead of going to Corinth in person, although he \tplanned to visit there at some later date. It was because God had \topened the door for effective ministry for him in Ephesus at that \ttime, and he also needed to be in Ephesus to deal with those who \topposed him (1Co16:5\u20139). Later, in the letter of 2 Corinthians \tPaul explains that he did not return to Corinth in order to \u201cspare \tthem\u2026another painful visit\u201d (2Co1:23; 2:1). This seems to be why \tPaul sent Titus to Corinth in his place.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Download Introduction to Titus Study EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD \u201c\u2026who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.\u201d Tit 2:14 Author, Date & Place of Writing; Place in Scripture Apostle Paul introduces himself […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fragebogen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2005"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11012,"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005\/revisions\/11012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubfheidelberg.org\/Wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}