In making a study regarding the argument of a book of the Bible there must be a statement of purpose followed by a summary of the contents of the book itself in outline form. The discussion of the contents must relate to the purpose as spelled out in the book or epistle, and the summary must be an explanation of why the content is there. Why did God include the epistle of Titus with the canon of scripture? Paul most likely wrote many other letters that have been lost, but God wanted this epistle to be a part of His inspired Word, and He has included it for the benefit of the readers. This argument paper will attempt to state the purpose of the book and give the reason as to why the epistle in the canon of scripture.

Paul writes to Titus while Titus is on the island of Crete. The believers in Crete lacked leadership, and there were all kinds of false teachers taking advantage of them by disrupting their morals and the harmony between the congregation. This letter, though written almost 2000 years ago, still rings true today, and the teaching is still very relevant to the church today.

According to M.F. Unger, Paul gives no less than ten specific purposes for writing to Titus on the island of Crete. After an extended greeting, 1:1-4, Paul urges Titus to complete the organization of the work in Crete, 1:5. Second, Paul reviews the requirements of elders, 1:6-9. Third, he urges a strong position against false teachers, 1:10-16. Fourth, he gives instruction concerning the various classes in home relations, 2:1-10. Fifth, he elucidates how a holy and godly life is made possible, 2:11-15. Sixth, he enjoins good citizenship, 3:1-2. Seventh, he reviews the reasons for godly living, 3:3-8. Eighth, he issues a warning against false teaching, 3:9-11. Ninth, he outlines his future plans, 3:12-14. Finally, he dispatches greetings, 3:15.

In a nutshell, the purpose of this epistle is to give instructions about doctrine and daily living requirements for believers. Titus was to warn against false teaching and to provide guidance for one of Paul's younger associates on sound doctrine and good works. Titus was the one who was to take this teaching and implement it. He was the pastor of that church, but the message for the church today is still the same: teach sound doctrine and live godly lives so that God might be glorified in the believer.

1. Paul initial greeting reveals who he is in the letter and his purpose in writing.
1. Paul calls himself a servant of God
2. Paul calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ
3. Paul speaks of a faith and knowledge that rests on hope of eternal life given before the beginning of time.
4. God brought this gospel forth commanding Paul to preach it.
2. The letter’s destination is to a man named Titus, and Paul greets this man with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Paul gives Titus his task while he is on the island of Crete.
1. Titus is to straighten out some unfinished business and appoint elders in every town.
1. An elder must be blameless and committed to excellence in every area of life.
2. An elder is entrusted with God’s Word so he is to be godly in how he presents it and allow no one to be brought down by his negative example.
2. Since there are many who thwart the gospel, Titus was to silence them so that they might not lead others astray.
3. Titus was to watch out for meaningless teaching and false teaching from Cretans and non-Christian Jews respectively because their minds have been corrupted thinking they actually know God but actually not knowing Him at all.
4. Paul instructs Titus to teach what is in accordance with sound doctrine with regard to the differing roles of men, women, and slaves because the grace of God has appeared to all men teaching them to live lives worthy of the blessed hope that is in Jesus Christ who gave Himself to redeem wickedness.
1. Titus was to teach the older men to be of great moral character and sound in their faith.
2. Titus was to teach older women to teach what is good to the younger women and model for them a life of godly character.
1. Younger women were to be workers at home, love their husbands and children, etc..
2. All this teaching was so that God’s Word would not be maligned.
3. Young men were also to be taught to be of solid moral character in doing good.
1. They were to be taught integrity and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.
2. This teaching was to be adhered to so that those who oppose God would have nothing bad to say about believers.
4. Slaves were to be taught to be subject to their masters in everything.
1. They were not to talk back and not to steal from them.
2. This instruction was so that God’s teaching would be made to be seen as attractive to others.
5. God’s grace has appeared to all men, and it teaches them to live right while waiting for Jesus Christ who redeemed a people for Himself, and Titus was to teach this in a way that encouraged and rebuked those who were under his authority.
5. All people were to be reminded to submit to governing authorities through active service without slandering anyone and being peaceable, considerate, and showing true humility towards all men.
6. A reminder to Titus that all men were foolish were at one time enslaved to worldly desires prior to God’s merciful act of grace on the human race.
1. All men lived in hatred towards one another prior to God’s appearance.
1. He appeared because of His mercy not due to any righteousness that man possessed on his own.
2. He saved man through the washing and renewal by the Holy Spirit which was poured out on man generously through Jesus Christ.
2. All this teaching was to be stressed so that those who trust in God are careful to devote themselves fully to Him.
7. Foolish problems between people were to be avoided due to their complete worthlessness.
1. Each man was to be warned once concerning godless controversies and then a second time if need be.
2. Any person who continued to argue pointlessly was to be seen as sinful and self-condemned.
8. Final remarks given to Titus regarding Paul’s whereabouts and Zenas and Apollos.
1. Titus was to meet Paul in Nicapolis because he was staying there for the winter.
2. Titus was to see that Zenas and Apollos had all they needed so that believers might live productive lives.
3. Paul tells Titus to send his greetings to some of his friends who were with Titus, and he closes his letter with "grace be to you all."

The church today in the Western world is full of would-be believers. Most people do not think of themselves as "saved," but they do believe in God’s ultimate love and their eternal destiny in heaven with Him. People believe this because sound doctrine is not being taught in the large majority of churches in this country -- and in the world. People believe what they want to believe or just what the pastor tells them to believe. Unfortunately, many pastors are not in accordance with sound doctrine. With this in mind, is it any wonder that so many have turned aside to myths and made up teachings that have no inspired authority? Only God’s Word as revealed in the Bible has this kind of authority, and it has the power to save a man or woman from the wiles of the devil. It is the devil who promotes false teaching and the adherence to such.

Praise God for the Epistle of Titus. The purpose of this letter from Paul was to correct bad teaching and make right what was wrong. It is amazing that a letter so old not only survived the test of time but also has so much relevance in the church that enters into the 21st century. False teaching brings so many people into its clutches, but the Word of God, more specifically the Epistle of Titus, can bring people back to the truth of Jesus Christ. Paul believed in Christ and Him crucified, and it was his desire to have that doctrine taught exhaustively. He told Titus to thwart the false teachers of that time and teach what was in accordance with right doctrine. Pastors today, whether in training or in the pulpit, would do well to cling to the teachings in Titus and teach them to all people. The roles of men and women, elders, and meaningless squabbles are specifically addressed -- all problems that are in the modern church. Praise God for allowing today’s believers a merciful opportunity to serve Him through sound doctrine!