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Titus

Titus was a Gentile convert and a trusted companion of Paul, who accompanied him on missionary journeys and served as his delegate to the church in Corinth.

The name Titus means “pleasing”

MaleNew Testament eraNew Testament4 books34 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at 2 Corinthians 2:13; referred to as Titus (Τίτος).

Profile

Titus was a Gentile (non-Jewish person) who became a follower of Jesus. He served as one of Paul's trusted helpers. Paul wrote one of his last letters to Titus while Titus was helping to strengthen the church in Crete. Titus shows us how the good news about Jesus changed the lives of non-Jewish people. Many of them, like Titus, believed so strongly in this message that they left their homes to help Paul share the good news about Jesus with others.

We do not know anything about Titus's background or conversion. His name is not mentioned in Acts. We first hear of him as a non-Jewish believer who went with Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1). Importantly, Paul emphasized that Titus was not forced to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3).

Later, as a trusted member of Paul's team, Titus went on special assignments. Paul sent him to Corinth to handle a difficult situation, likely carrying the demanding letter mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:4, 9; 7:8–9. This task needed someone who could be both gentle and strong as a leader. Titus seemed to have a stronger personality than Timothy (see 1 Corinthians 16:10–11; 2 Corinthians 7:13–15; 2 Timothy 1:6–7).

Titus returned to Paul with good news (2 Corinthians 7:6–7, 13–15). After that, Paul sent him back to Corinth with the letter we call 2 Corinthians. This letter encouraged the believers to finish their fundraising for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Titus eagerly accepted this task because he loved the Christians in Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:15; 8:6, 16–17). Paul described him as a person of integrity and similar to Paul himself (2 Corinthians 8:23; 12:18).

A few years later, after Paul's first trial in Rome and his release, he left Titus on the island of Crete to strengthen the church. While Titus was there, Paul wrote a letter to him. In the letter, Paul gave advice on choosing church leaders and encouraged Titus to teach and show godly behavior. Paul then asked Titus to meet him at Nicopolis (in Achaia), where Paul planned to spend the winter (Titus 3:12). Later, shortly before Paul was executed in Rome, he wrote that Titus had gone to Dalmatia (along the Adriatic coast, northwest of modern-day Greece), likely for ministry work there (2 Timothy 4:10).

The church historian Eusebius mentions an early tradition that Titus settled on Crete and served as bishop there until he was very old (Eusebius, Church History 3.4.6).

Passages for Further Study

2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13–14; 8:6, 16–17, 23; 12:18; Galatians 2:1, 3; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:4; 2:1

Glossary entries

Titus (Person)

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 19 verses that refer to Titus without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:13
    I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
  2. 2 Corinthians 7:6
    But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
  3. 2 Corinthians 7:7Referred to, not named
    …and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.
  4. 2 Corinthians 7:13
    On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
  5. 2 Corinthians 7:14
    Indeed, I was not embarrassed by anything I had boasted to him about you. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved to be true as well.
  6. 2 Corinthians 7:15Referred to, not named
    And his affection for you is even greater when he remembers that you were all obedient as you welcomed him with fear and trembling.
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:6
    So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:16
    But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:17Referred to, not named
    For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:18Referred to, not named
    Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:22Referred to, not named
    And we are sending along with them our brother who has proven his earnestness to us many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.
  12. 2 Corinthians 8:23
    As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
  13. 2 Corinthians 8:24Referred to, not named
    In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
  14. 2 Corinthians 12:18
    I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
  15. 2 Corinthians 13:13
    All the saints send you greetings.
  16. 2 Corinthians 13:14
    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
  17. Galatians 2:1
    Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
  18. Galatians 2:3
    Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
  19. 2 Timothy 4:10
    …because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
  20. Titus 1:4
    To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
  21. Titus 1:5Referred to, not named
    The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
  22. Titus 1:13Referred to, not named
    This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
  23. Titus 2:1Referred to, not named
    But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.
  24. Titus 2:6Referred to, not named
    In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
  25. Titus 2:7Referred to, not named
    In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
  26. Titus 2:15Referred to, not named
    Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
  27. Titus 3:1Referred to, not named
    Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
  28. Titus 3:8Referred to, not named
    This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
  29. Titus 3:9Referred to, not named
    But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
  30. Titus 3:10Referred to, not named
    Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
  31. Titus 3:11Referred to, not named
    …knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.
  32. Titus 3:12Referred to, not named
    As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
  33. Titus 3:13Referred to, not named
    Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.
  34. Titus 3:15
    All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.