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Located southeast of Greece, Crete is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and home of the famous Minoan civilization. However, by Paul’s time, the Cretans had a poor reputation so that even one of their own countryman said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons” (1:12). Paul’s ship stopped at Crete en route to Rome (Ac 27:7-13), and a possible reference to Cretans may be found in 1Sa 30:14.
Paul’s major purpose is to make sure the church is continuing in sound/healthful doctrine. Consequently, Paul reminds Titus of the criteria for an elder (1:6-9), the relationships that should exist in the church (2:1-10), and the importance of doing good (2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14). On the negative side, Paul tells Titus to rebuke those who are unsound in faith (1:10-16), to avoid foolish controversies (3:9), and to reject unrepentant divisive people (3:10-11). The letter also introduces Zenas and Apollos (3:13), while alerting Titus to Paul’s need for him at Nicopolis (3:12).