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Titus was Paul's trouble shooter.He was one of those indispensable Christians who get on with the Lord's work regardless of whether they are appreciated, thanked or applauded: which is perhaps as well for Titus, because he does not get one mention in the whole of the Acts of the Apostles in which all the others in Paul's leadership team are given their honoured places. Paul speaks of him by name thirteen times in this letters, and even addressed one entire letter to him, and you have a copy of it.It's in your New Testament.
Amongst other responsibilities Paul sent Titus to sort out was in the Church at Corinth. Paul had founded that church, and then upset them by that letter which we call 'The First Letter to the Corinthians'.They took offence at Paul, asking 'Who does he think he is?, 'We have super Greek speakers who understand our culture, our broad-mindedness, on such things as sex and law, and in any case he brought no letters of recommendation with him.'
Paul was so upset at their attitude that he paid a brief, but disastrous, visit to them which only made matters worse so he wrote them an angry, distressed letter, and could do no more. He then sent Titus to sort the whole matter out: but Paul couldn't settle - more like a cat on a hot tin roof. He couldn't wait where he was staying at Troas, but sailed over to Macedonia in the hope of meeting Titus and getting the news.Well, he met Titus, and found to his great relief that relationships were restored. All was well again in the Church at Corinth. His leadership was once again fully accepted, and all the misunderstandings with attitude, had been resolved, but it was all resolved by the diplomacy and Christian strength of Titus - himself a Greek Christian.
In the Second Letter to the Corinthians Paul hardly mentions Titus - instead he thanks God, because Titus was one of God's gifts to his church. A true peace-maker: a fine advocate.no wonder that in his letter to Titus Paul addresses him as follows:
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness ...To Titus, my true son in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. Titus 1: 1 and 4
A Prayer:
For the wisdom, loyalty, strength and humility of all those many people who sought not their own reputation, but the honour of Christ, in helping to build your church, we give you our thanks today.
Now read Amos 7: 10-17.
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