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TitusAid to Bible Understanding
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Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem. (Acts 15:1, 2; Gal. 2:1-3) About 55 C.E., Titus ministered unselfishly to the Corinthian congregation, having been sent to Corinth by the apostle Paul to assist in the collection for the needy brothers in Judea and perhaps also to note the reaction of the congregation to Paul’s first letter to them. (2 Cor. 2:13; 8:1-6; 12:17, 18) When Titus thereafter met the apostle in Macedonia, he was able to give a good report about the Corinthian congregation, one that brought comfort and joy to Paul. Titus himself had developed great affection for the Corinthian Christians because of their obedience, and their commendable attitude had proved to be a source of encouragement and joy to him.—2 Cor. 7:6, 7, 13-15.
Since Titus had initiated matters in connection with the contribution, Paul desired that he complete the task and commended Titus to the Corinthian congregation as “a sharer with me and a fellow worker for your interests.” Being sincerely interested in the welfare of the Corinthians, and encouraged by the apostle to do so, Titus willingly departed for Corinth.—2 Cor. 8:6, 16, 17, 23.
After Paul was released from his first imprisonment at Rome, Titus and Timothy apparently worked with him in the ministry. While in Crete (sometime between 61 and 64 C.E.), Paul left Titus there to ‘correct the things that were defective and to make appointments of older men in city after city.’ (Titus 1:4, 5) This was evidently a temporary assignment, for Paul requested that Titus do his utmost to join him at Nicopolis.—Titus 3:12.
Sometime during Paul’s second imprisonment at Rome (64-65 C.E.), Titus, likely at the apostle’s direction or with his approval, left for Dalmatia.—2 Tim. 4:10; see DALMATIA.
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Titus, Letter toAid to Bible Understanding
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TITUS, LETTER TO
The apostle Paul identifies himself as the writer of this letter to Titus, a fellow worker of his whom he had left behind in Crete to ‘correct the things that were defective and to make appointments of older men’ in the various congregations there. (Titus 1:1, 4, 5) The letter’s authenticity is attested by all outstanding ancient catalogs of the Christian Greek Scriptures, starting with the Muratorian Fragment of the second century C.E.
TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING
As no record exists that Paul engaged in Christian activity on the island of Crete before his first imprisonment at Rome, he must have been there with Titus sometime between his release and final imprisonment. Thus the time for the letter’s composition would be between about 61 and 64 C.E. Macedonia may have been the place from which the letter was sent; it was apparently there in the same general period that Paul wrote First Timothy (1:3).
THE LETTER’S PURPOSE
The letter evidently was to serve as a guide for Titus and gave him apostolic backing for the performance of his duties in connection with the Cretan congregations. His assignment was not an easy one, for he had to contend with rebellious persons. As Paul wrote: “There are many unruly men, profitless talkers, and deceivers of the mind, especially those men who adhere to the circumcision. It is necessary to shut the mouths of these, as these very men keep on subverting entire households by teaching things they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain.” (Titus 1:10, 11) Also, lying, gluttony and laziness were common among the Cretans, and apparently some of the Christians reflected these bad traits. For this reason Titus had to reprove them with severity and show what was required of Christians, whether young or old, male or female, slave or free. Personally he had to be an example in fine works and show uncorruptness in teaching.—Titus 1:12–3:2.
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
I. Salutation and pronouncement of blessing (1:1-4)
II. Instructions regarding the appointment of older men and correcting matters in Cretan congregations (1:5–3:11)
A. Qualifications for those appointed as older men (1:5-9)
B. Severe reproof to be given those not conducting themselves properly (1:10-16)
C. Titus’ responsibility to provide healthful teaching concerning conduct befitting aged men, aged women, younger men and slaves, and about subjection to governmental authority (2:1–3:2)
D. Having received declaration of righteousness, all should be instructed to keep minds on maintaining fine works (3:3-8)
E. Foolish questionings to be shunned and one promoting a sect to be rejected after first and second admonition (3:9-11)
III. Personal instructions for Titus, greetings and concluding pronouncement of blessing (3:12-15)
See the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 237-239.
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TiziteAid to Bible Understanding
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TIZITE
(Tiʹzite).
Designation of David’s warrior Joha. (1 Chron. 11:26, 45) The name is probably derived from a place now unknown.
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ToahAid to Bible Understanding
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TOAH
(Toʹah).
A Kohathite Levite ancestor of the prophet Samuel and Heman the singer. (1 Chron. 6:33, 34, 38) He is probably called Nahath in verse 26 and Tohu at 1 Samuel 1:1.
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TobAid to Bible Understanding
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TOB
[good].
A “land” to which Jephthah fled from his half brothers. In Tob he gathered a force of men before his half brothers asked him to be their commander in fighting against the Ammonites. (Judg. 11:3-11) There is possibly another Biblical reference to Tob if the name “Ishtob” is rather to be translated “men of Tob” at 2 Samuel 10:6-8. (See AS, JP, RS, NW, 1955 ed., ftn.) Tob’s location is not definitely known. However, it is often identified with the region centering around et-Taiyibeh, nearly forty miles (c. 64 kilometers) E-SE of the Sea of Galilee.
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Tob-adonijahAid to Bible Understanding
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TOB-ADONIJAH
(Tob-ad·o·niʹjah) [good is Lord Jehovah].
One of the Levites whom Jehoshaphat, in the third year of his reign, sent out to teach Jehovah’s law in the cities of Judah. (2 Chron. 17:7-9) Reference to Adonijah and Tobijah in the same verse leads some scholars to believe this name is a scribal dittograph, that is, an inadvertent repetition.
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TobiahAid to Bible Understanding
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TOBIAH
(To·biʹah) [Jehovah is good).
1. Forefather of some returned exiles who were unable to establish their Israelite genealogy.—Ezra 2:1, 59, 60; Neh. 7:61, 62.
2. An opponent of Nehemiah. Tobiah was “the servant,” likely some official under the Persian king. (Neh. 2:19) Both he and his son Jehohanan married Jewish women, and Tobiah was also related to High Priest Eliashib. This put Tobiah in a position of advantage for undermining Nehemiah’s authority, in that many Jews looked up to and spoke highly of Tobiah.—6:17-19; 13:4; compare 3:4; 7:6, 7, 10.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, Tobiah and his associates were displeased with Israel’s brightening prospect. (Neh. 2:9, 10) At first they merely derided and mocked the Jews (2:19; 4:3), but when the wall rebuilding made progress, they became angrier. However, various conspiracies—to kill off the Jews (4:7-9, 11, 14, 15), and an attempt to get Nehemiah to violate the sanctity of the temple (6:1, 10-13)—all failed. Even after the walls were completed, Tobiah through correspondence with his sympathizers in Jerusalem, attempted to intimidate Nehemiah. (6:16-19) Properly, therefore, Nehemiah asked Jehovah to remember the many wicked deeds of Tobiah and his confederates. (6:14) On his second arrival from Babylon, when
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