I took Titus along also.
Summary: In this passage we discover another friend and coworker of Paul’s.
As Paul heads to Jerusalem, he is flanked by two brothers in the faith who are very close to him. Barnabas, a Jew, has already been introduced. Today, we look at Paul’s other companion, Titus.
Paul tells us that Titus is a Greek (Galatians 2:3). He also tells us that Titus was not “compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.” This comment about circumcision is important. Circumcision was so ingrained in the descendants of Abraham that it had become synonymous with faith in God. Titus was living proof that faith without circumcision was possible.
Another reason Titus is important is that Paul wrote him a letter that ended up in the New Testament. The letter is short but pithy.
Was Titus close to Paul? In his letter to Titus, his first words are, “To Titus, my true son in our common faith…” (Titus 1:4) Paul, himself, was never married, but God gave him sons in the faith. Titus, like Timothy, was one of these.
Like Barnabas, Titus was working for the kingdom, and was focused on serving Christ. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians he writes, “As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 8:23)
Paul was not always alone in his ministry. Jesus provided Paul with co-workers and companions who were as dedicated to serving Jesus as he was. On this trip to Jerusalem, Paul was, no doubt, supported and encouraged by both Barnabas and Titus. As he tells us later in verse two, he was concerned that the apostles in Jerusalem might find fault in the gospel he had been preaching.
As Solomon pointed out many centuries before, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Right or wrong, Paul and his companions were ready to face the truth.
Application: Look for coworkers in Christ to come alongside.
Food for Thought: Suppose Paul had asked you to go with him to Jerusalem. What questions would you ask yourself before deciding to stay or go?
*If you are interested in our meditations on Paul’s letter to Titus they begin here.
Suppose Paul had asked you to go with him to Jerusalem. What questions would you ask yourself before deciding to stay or go?
I would want to go. First question would be if my wife can come too. Second would be about her safety.
Great question, Tim!
That brings into focus a question about Titus and Barnabas; “Were they married?”
We know Paul wasn’t.
I think the big questions would be, to myself, but more importantly to God, “what is the cost?” and “does God want me to go to Jerusalem with Paul?”
I don’t mean monetarily, but “counting the cost” as in Luke 14:28–30.
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.
I think it is important to do that so that when you ask God what His will is, you are prepared to obey unreservedly.
Chris,
Interesting question!
There are “costs” and then there are “costs.” The kind I hear you talking about is the level of commitment that a person has made to God’s work.
I think if anyone asks me to go on a mission, I would hopefully start asking God some questions. Is this really Your will? Is this what You want me to do right now? Etc. At least I would hope I would seek the Lord’s will and start with prayer.
Thanks, Rich!
That brings us back to our relationship with God. Are we on “speaking terms?” Do we “hear” God as well as we hear our own voice talking to him?
Suppose Paul had asked you to go with him to Jerusalem. What questions would you ask yourself before deciding to stay or go?
Like other responses, I would seek God’s guidance regarding His will for my future.
Thanks, Ron.
So would I! 🙂