Paul wrote epistles to two different evangelists: Timothy and Titus. Titus sometimes gets pushed to the background as the focus is placed on Timothy. This is unfortunate because Titus is a man worthy of our consideration.

Unlike Timothy, we have no information about Titus’ birth or background. We only know he was an uncircumcised Gentile Christian (Gal. 2:3). Paul found him to be a faithful companion in his work of preaching, establishing churches, and defending the truth. Although he is not mentioned by name in the book of Acts, we learn from 2 Corinthians that Titus was with Paul on his third journey (Acts 19-20). He commended Titus to the Corinthians, “If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you” (2 Cor. 8:23).

As Paul’s life drew to an end, we learn that Titus had been left on Crete to set the churches in order (Titus 1:5), called to join Paul in Nicopolis (3:12), then dispatched to Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10).

Because of the epistle that bears his name, we often associate Titus with the island of Crete. In antiquity, this island prospered from its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. They had attained a brilliant and glorious civilization. However, by the late Third Century BC, the inhabitants had degenerated from their ancient character and were known for the “grossest immorality and the basest vices.” The inhabitants of Crete were crude, barbarous, and were regarded with aversion and contempt. By the First Century, the people of Crete were living in what has been called “the cultural graveyard of a once proud and thriving civilization.” Paul acknowledged this fact in his letter to Titus by quoting one of their own poets (Epimenides), “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (1:12).

Despite these deplorable surroundings, the gospel had taken root on the island. Churches were located in its cities and the brethren there needed help. Paul had visited Crete after he was released from his first imprisonment and had left Titus there, trusting him to complete the difficult task of working with these people and setting the churches in order.

Although it takes some digging into the books of 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Titus, and 2 Timothy, and comparing this information with book of Acts, a biographical sketch of Titus can be made. From it we see this man had an impressive quality - he could be trusted to handle difficult situations.

• Titus was at the center of the controversy over circumcising Gentiles (Gal. 2:1-5).
• Titus was sent to Corinth to see how they reacted to first epistle (2 Cor. 2:12-13; 7:5-16).
• Titus had responsibilities in making sure the Corinthians completed their collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:6, 23; 12:18).
• While Timothy was left in the well-established church in Ephesus, Titus was left to work with the Cretans.

Titus was a faithful Christian who was able to work in difficult situations without much praise and acknowledgement (remember, he is not mentioned in the book of Acts, and we often place him in Timothy’s shadow). He was a trusted servant of the Lord. We need more Christians like him today.