“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”
—Titus 1:1–4
The little letter of Titus begins big. The introduction to Titus, is not only notably longer than any other of the pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy), it is the third longest of any of Paul’s letters, exceeded only by Romans and Galatians. And inasmuch as this introduction identifies the sender, this little letter is topped only by Romans, and yet, I would argue, it is the more focused or concentrated statement identifying Paul.
Which immediately throws us into our text with this question, if this letter is from Paul and to Titus, why does Paul elaborate so? Paul and Titus are not strangers. Paul identifies Titus as “my true child.” In 2 Corinthians he refers to him as “my brother” (2 Corinthians 2:13), and “my partner and fellow worker” (2 Corinthians 8:23). Titus knows Paul. Titus has no doubts as to who Paul is. So why does Paul go on so? The answer is found at the very end of the letter—the last sentence of the letter. “Grace be with you all” (Titus 3:15). This letter, addressed to Titus, is intended to be overheard by all whom Titus addresses in Crete. This is not a piece of private correspondence. This is a public proclamation.
When Titus tells them what Paul tells him to tell them, Titus has this letter telling them that Paul has told him to tell them what he tells them. And in this letter, Paul explains that he is a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and for their knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness.
This is the purpose of Paul. He is for the faith of God’s elect and for their knowledge of the truth. Paul is for you. He is for your faith. He is for your knowledge of the truth. He is for your godliness. As Titus is read today, by any faithful preacher of the word, Paul’s identity should come to bear down on them still. A prayer you should pray as we go through Titus, and any time you read Paul, or any apostle, or any prophet—any time you read the Scripture—a prayer you should pray is , “O Lord, give me faith. Give me knowledge of the truth. Sanctify me by your word. Your word is truth.” This is the particular grace and peace the letter of Titus is meant to convey to you all.
No Other Boast 