SEPTEMBER 2024 - DEVOTION
THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE RIGHT JOB
“To Titus” – Titus 1:4
A RELEASED PAUL TRAVELS ON
Internal evidence in Paul's epistles indicates he was released from the house arrest he was under in Rome, as the Book of Acts concludes (II Timothy 4:16-17). Part of this evidence surfaces when comparing his travels in Acts with mentions of places he traveled to, or planned to travel to, in his later epistles. From these mentions, a possible itinerary he might have undertaken after his release includes going to:
- Ephesus – I Timothy 1:3; 3:14
- Macedonia – I Timothy 1:3 – including Philippi – Philippians 1:25; 2:24
IMPRISONED AGAIN FOR THE FINAL TIME
Paul was incarcerated again (II Timothy 2:9), he did not expect to be released this time. He was prepared to be offered for Christ (II Timothy 4:6). While detained the final time, he wrote the last three of his epistles, included in Scripture: I Timothy, II Timothy, and Titus. Theologians call these the Pastoral Epistles because Paul wrote them to two of his young associates, Timothy and Titus, whom he had left in places to administer churches.
TIMOTHY AND TITUS
In the New Testament, much more information is available about Timothy than about Titus. For example, Timothy is mentioned repeatedly in Acts and has two epistles addressed to him. On the other hand, Titus is not mentioned in Acts and a single smaller epistle is written to him. Some theologians write of Titus almost as if he were Timothy Lite.
A JOB FOR TITUS
However, Titus was essential to Paul’s breakthrough with that church when it came to Corinth. They were causing Paul a great deal of concern. The church had sin and disunity and other voices were trying to challenge Paul's position as their teacher. He needed someone he could trust to be a go-between. That man was Titus. Of the thirteen times his name appears in Scripture, nine are in II Corinthians, when he played a vital role in discipling this troublesome group of believers. He was the right man for the job and did it well. Timothy is more prominent in Scripture than Titus, but Titus was also a valuable member of Paul's team.
A JOB FOR YOU
One of the ways the enemy tries to discourage believers is to belittle their contribution to the Kingdom of God. He will get a Gospel worker to compare their smaller ministry to larger ones and tell them what they are doing doesn’t matter. That is a lie. Whatever God has given you to do matters. It matters to the people who are helped by your efforts and it matters to God. So tell that ole devil to brush off. And keep on doing what God has given you to do. Only eternity will reveal the results of your obedience.
