1:4

Titus: A Greek Christian who worked closely with the apostle Paul. About 49 C.E., Paul took Titus with him to Jerusalem, where the circumcision issue was decided. (Ac 15:1, 2; Ga 2:3 and study note) A few years later (c. 55 C.E.), Paul sent him to Corinth to help collect relief funds for needy Christians in Judea and possibly to see how the Corinthian Christians had reacted to the apostle’s first letter. Comforted by Titus’ good report, Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, and Titus apparently delivered that letter. (2Co 2:13 and study note; 2Co 7:6, 7, 13-16; 8:1-6, 16, 17, 23; 12:17, 18) Probably between 61 and 64 C.E., Paul left Titus in Crete to “correct the things that were defective and make appointments of elders.” (Tit 1:5) Paul later requested that Titus join him in Nicopolis. (Tit 3:12) During Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome (c. 65 C.E.), Titus went to Dalmatia. (See study note on 2Ti 4:10.) He likely did so with Paul’s approval; perhaps the apostle even directed him to go. Clearly, Titus was a faithful Christian, an asset to the congregations where he served, and a support to Paul.

a genuine child: In his letters, Paul used this endearing expression only for Titus and Timothy. (1Ti 1:2 and study note) Paul might have introduced the good news directly to Titus. In any case, Paul considered Titus to be his spiritual child. They developed this special relationship by sharing in the ministry in behalf of the congregations. (2Co 8:23) When Paul wrote this letter, he and Titus had known each other for at least 12 years.

May you have undeserved kindness and peace: See study note on Ro 1:7.

Christ Jesus our Savior: In the preceding verse, God is called “our Savior.” Some therefore conclude that Jesus and God are one and the same. It is worth noting, though, that this verse mentions “God the Father” and “Christ Jesus our Savior” separately. Jesus is the one through whom God saves mankind from sin and death, so Jesus too can be referred to as “our Savior.” At Heb 2:10, Paul calls Jesus “the Chief Agent of . . . salvation.” And the Bible writer Jude calls Jehovah “the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord,” showing that God and Christ cooperate together to bring about salvation. (Jude 25) So Paul’s words offer no support for the idea that “Christ Jesus” and “God the Father” are one and the same.​—See study note on 1Ti 1:1.