Notes: Titus 1:4

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (Titus 1:4)

This is a personal letter. The majority of Paul’s writings were to churches, with personal notations and messages to members of the addressed church. This letter was meant primarily for this man Titus.

Titus was a Greek (Gal 2:3), fellow laborer (2 Cor 8:23), and comfort to Paul (2 Cor 7:6). He was used in the church of Corinth in Paul’s absence with passion (2 Cor 8:16). Titus had the opportunity to travel to Jerusalem with Paul and Barnabas to meet with the other apostles there (Gal 2:1).

Here Paul calls Titus his true child. Titus was not Paul’s physical son. But he was Paul’s spiritual son. The bond between them was greater than that of just natural father and son, but a bond created through the regeneration, through the new birth, through a common faith.

Paul provides his apparent standard “grace and peace” blessing. But while the inclusion of a blessing is culturally similar to other writings of the time, it is not a standard blessing. Peace of God only comes to those who He has chosen by His Grace extended through Christ Jesus as Savior. Even in the blessing, Paul uses it as an opportunity to convey something about God.

Having just finished the Christmas season, it came to my remembrance the many times I’ve heard the carols and songs proclaiming “Christ the Lord”. But that is such a general statement. Paul makes the very personal, connecting statement, “Christ OUR Savior”. Christ isn’t just Paul’s Savior, but He is Titus’ Savior as well. This is the substance of the bond that binds Paul and Titus together.

Tags: chosen, hope, titus