Epistle to Titus Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pastoral

A pastoral epistle is a letter written by St. Paul to one particular individual rather than a large group such as a church. Some people also consider Philemon to be pastoral.

In Titus, St. Paul advises his friend as to what is needed for men if they are to be good presbyters and bishops: they must be "... irreproachable, married only once, the father of children who are believers and are known not to be wild and insubordinate ... He may not be self-willed or arrogant, a drunkard, a violent or greedy man. He should, on the contrary, be hospitable and lover of goodness; steady, just, holy, and self-controlled." (Titus 1:6-8)

Answer: Crete

Before, St. Paul had worked with Titus helping him strengthen his Christian faith. St. Paul then left Titus in Crete, confident that Titus would have the ability to build a strong Cretian Church. (Titus 1:5)

Answer: The Epimenides paradox

The pagan prophet that St. Paul refers to here is almost certainly a man named Epimenides. Long before St. Paul's epistle was written, Epimenides had attacked the people of Crete because many of them had declared that their god Zeus was dead.

The paradox here is that Epimenides himself lived on Crete, so if "all Cretans are liars" that would include himself, making his statement untrue.

Answer: Jewish myths

In Titus 1:13-16, St. Paul clashes with some Judaeo-Christians who spend time on speculations or myths about Old Testament teachings. Many of these people also insisted that Christians should carefully follow all the old Jewish laws and observances.

Answer: Gossip

St. Paul is very clear when he writes, "Similarly, the older women must behave in ways that befit those who belong to God. They must not be slanderous gossips or slaves to drink." (Titus 2:3)

Answer: To be submissive

Paul gives this advice in Titus 2:9. The early Christian Church was not known to speak against the institution of slavery, although Christian principles are now seen as contrary to it. Calls from Christian leaders to end human enslavement did not become loud and clear for another 1,700 years.

Answer: Hateful

The quote from the Epistle is: "We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and far from true faith; we were slaves of our passions and pleasures of various kinds. We went our way in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of his mercy." (Titus 3:3-5)

Answer: To be loyal and subject

Here St. Paul encourages believers to 'render to Caesar': "Remind people to be loyally subject to the government and its officials, to obey the laws, to be ready to take on any honest employment." (Titus 3:1)

Answer: Abstain from such discussions

After most likely having had engaged in many frustrating debates himself, St. Paul knows that they are not very valuable: "See to it that you abstain from stupid arguments and genealogies, and from all controversies and quarrels about the law. They are useless and have no point." (Titus 3:9)

Answer: Philemon

St. Paul's Epistle to Philemon is only one chapter long; this is much shorter than Titus which is three chapters (or forty-six verses) long. 2 Thessalonians is one verse longer than Titus, and Philippians is four chapters in length while Colossians is five chapters.