QUESTIONS

1. What is it that gives us the impression that Titus, like Timothy, was young compared to Paul?
    
2. What do we know of Titus based on the following passages: 2 Cor. 7:6-14, 2 Cor. 8:6-23, 2 Cor. 12:18, Gal. 2:1-3, 2 Tim. 4:10
    
3. For what purpose did Paul leave Titus in Crete? And where is Crete?
    
4. In Acts 14:23, elders were appointed "in every church." But what do we read in Titus 1:5? Any thoughts?
    
5. Some have argued that the New Testament only permits one church per city. What do you think about that? Factor Romans 16:3-5 into your comments.
    
6. There's an unusual translation error in Titus 1:6 in the New American Standard and New International versions. If you have either of those, compare the translation of the verse therein with the translation found in the ASV or KJV. Can you spot the difference?
    
7. Paul has a rather negative characterization of the people of Crete. What is it, and whom does he say he is quoting when he offers evidence of his characterization?  In fact, it appears that Paul is quoting Epimenides, a Cretan philosopher from about 600 B.C.  Later, Callimachus (305 B.C. to 240 B.C.) said much the same thing. Ironically, both were defending the existence of Zeus against Cretan intimations that Zeus was dead.
    
8. In Titus 1:13-15, explain why each of the following might be a reference to gnosticism...
    
   1. "Jewish fables"  (Compare 1 Tim. 4:7, 2 Tim. 4:4 where the same word is used, that word being μῦθος, i.e. muthos = myth;  regarding the characterization of these myths as Jewish, see Colossians 2:8-23).
       
   2. "commandments of men" (Compare Col. 2:20-22)
       
   3. "to them that are deviled and unbelieving, nothing is pure." (Compare the phrase, "both their mind and their conscience are defiled" with Paul's reference in Col. 2:18 to a "fleshly mind." What irony do you see in both phrases?)
       
   4. "they profess that they know God."