Literary Context

Titus 1:5-9 occurs in the context of Titus 1:5-16, in which Paul is calling on Titus to strengthen the church at Crete by establishing sound leadership for the church. These faithful church leaders of Titus 1:5-9 are necessary to deal with the false teachers addressed in 1:10-16. So Paul provided Titus a guide for selecting these church leaders, who would then be able to continue the ministry of Titus even after Titus was gone.

• • 1:1-4- Greeting
    

  • 1:5-16- Paul’s charge to Titus to strengthen the church at Crete
  • 1:5-9- Paul’s charge to Titus to appoint faithful elders
  • 1:10-16- The importance of sound leadership for dealing with false teaching in Crete
  • 2:1-3:11- Paul charges Titus to teach what is in accord with sound doctrine
  • 2:1- Paul’s command to Titus
  • 2:2-10- Instructions on right living for certain groups in the church
  • 2:11-15- Instructions on the grace of God through Jesus
  • 3:1-8- Right living that is grounded in right doctrine
  • 3:9-11- Avoid false teaching and false teachers
  • 3:12-16- Closing