Introduction

Among Paul’s companions, Titus was the most experienced man; precisely for this reason he was ordained by Paul as bishop of the island of Crete, and he was entrusted with the ordination and judgment over many bishops. To him, as completely experienced, and to complete the unfinished work, this letter is entrusted, which Paul writes to him before his imprisonment in chains, when he was still free. For nowhere here does he mention trials. Therefore it seems to me that this letter comes before the second letter to Timothy, for Paul wrote that one at the end of his life. He constantly mentions here grace by which we are saved, knowing that it serves as great consolation. Whoever remembers what he was before and what gifts and grace he was afterward deemed worthy of, he will strive with all effort so as not to anger his Benefactor. He also attacks the Jews, but do not be surprised if he censures the whole people. He does this not for insult, but out of love for God and from burning zeal, just as Christ also many times rebuked the scribes, but not for his own sake, but because they were drawing others into destruction. The apostle writes a brief letter so that even by this he might teach us the virtue of Titus. For he did not need long speeches, but only some reminder.