Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Titus
Titus is a Pastoral Epistle about setting the church in order: appointing qualified leaders, teaching sound doctrine, and showing how the grace of God produces godly, good-working lives. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Epistle to Titus was written by the apostle Paul to Titus, a trusted Gentile co-worker whom he had left on the island of Crete to set the churches in order, likely in the mid-60s AD. One of the three Pastoral Epistles, it instructs Titus to appoint qualified elders, silence false teachers, and teach sound doctrine that produces godly living across every group in the church.
This commentary covers Titus verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter joins leadership, doctrine, and a holy life, resting on the God who cannot lie, and contains one of the clearest statements of grace in Scripture: the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared, teaching us to live soberly, righteously, and godly (2:11-12). References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on Titus is now complete, covering all three chapters verse by verse.
Author
The apostle Paul, to Titus his trusted co-worker.
Setting
Setting the churches of Crete in order, likely mid-60s AD.
Key Themes
Church order, qualified leaders, sound doctrine, and godly living.
Famous Passage
The grace of God that brings salvation (2:11-14).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Titus Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Titus 1:1-16
They Profess to Know God
Paul anchors the church in the God who cannot lie, lays out the character required of elders who hold fast the faithful word, and warns of those who profess to know God but deny Him by their works.
Read Chapter 1 →Titus 2:1-15
The Great God and Our Saviour
Sound doctrine shapes every age and station, so all 'adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.' Then the engine of it all: 'the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness... we should live soberly, righteously, and godly.' We look for 'the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us... and purify unto himself a peculiar people.'
Read Chapter 2 →Titus 3:1-15
The Washing of Regeneration
Believers are to be good citizens, 'gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men,' for 'we ourselves also were sometimes foolish.' Then the heart of salvation: 'not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' The saved are to 'be careful to maintain good works.'
Read Chapter 3 →