A Text centred rhetorical analysis of Paul's Letter to Titus

the false teaching encourages behaviour that makes no real distinction
between believers and unbelievers.
The overall rhetorical strategy may also be approached from another angle,
not in terms of the chronological development of the argument as outlined
above, but in terms of the commonalities between the dominant rhetorical
objectives. In terms of this approach, four different (but related) rhetorical
objectives can be identified:
Paul’s first objective is to persuade the Cretans of the need to recognise
legitimate ministry. This he does in units 1 (1:1-4), 2 (1:5-9), 4 (2:1) and 11
(3:12-15). He begins by trying to convince the audience of the legitimacy of
teachers and their teaching. In unit 1 (1:1-4), he presents himself as a
legitimate teacher by arguing on the basis of divine authorisation. To this end
he adapts the salutation to emphasise the divine basis of legitimate ministry,
which includes the legitimisation both of the doctrine and the teacher. The
same unit also includes apostolic authorisation of the ministry of Titus. Unit 2
(1:1-4) sees the delegation of authority to Titus who is authorised to appoint
local leaders. The dominant rhetorical objective of this unit is to specify the
criteria for legitimate local leadership. In unit 4 (2:1), the dominant rhetorical
objective is to distinguish Titus on the basis of apostolic authorisation, as a
minister of sound doctrine from the illegitimate teachers of unit 3 (1:10-16). In
unit 11 (3:12-15), Paul adapts the conclusion to reemphasise the notion of
legitimate ministry by the introduction of Tychicus, Artemis, Zenas and Apollos
who are examples of apostolically authorised ministers of the church. Thus, in
these four units we have three levels of authorisation of legitimate ministry: of
Paul by God; of Titus, Artemis or Tychicus, Zenas and Apollos by Paul and of
the elder-overseers by Titus. These units, collectively, convey the notion that
the teaching ministry in the church is not for any ambitious Tom, Dick and
Harry: There are clear guidelines that must be satisfied with respect to those
who teach as well as regards the content of their teaching.
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