0 Titus Introduction

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 3:10

Trivia: According to Titus 1:12, what group of people are always liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies?

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things. - Titus 2:9

Titus for Skeptics

Although Titus claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it, along with the other pastoral epistles (1 and 2 Timothy), was written by someone else after Paul's death. (1)

There's not much of interest here. But we do learn about liars (God can't tell a lie, Jews and Cretians can't tell the truth), Jewish fables and genealogies (disregard them), wives and slaves (must be obedient), and heretics (are condemned by God and should be avoided).

Here are the highlights:

  • God, like George Washington (but unlike the author of Titus who falsely claims to be Paul), cannot tell a lie. 1:2
  • Jews are unruly liars "whose mouths must be stopped." 1:10-11
  • The people of Crete are "always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies." 1:12
  • Disregard "Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." Like most of the Bible, maybe? 1:14
  • "Teach the young women to be ... obedient to their own husbands." 2:4-5
  • Slaves must obey their masters and "please them well in all things ... showing all good fidelity." 2:9-10
  • "Avoid foolish ... genealogies." Like Gen 10, 1 Chr 1-9, and Lk 3:23-38? 3:9
  • Heretics are to be rejected since they are subverted sinners who are condemned by God. 3:10-11

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