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

2.1.4 PAUL AND TITUS
Paul writes to Titus, who is in Crete with an assignment, namely to complete
unfinished business (1:5). It seems that Paul did not stay long enough to
implement the organisation of leadership structures at the churches in Crete.
Titus is on Crete by apostolic mandate. In other words, he did not appoint
himself. His presence is furthermore of limited duration. The original situation
appears on the one hand to have been serious enough to require the
presence of an apostolic delegate (1:5 ajpelipovn se ejn Krhvth/). On the other
hand, it appears not to have been as serious as to warrant that Titus remains
there permanently. In fact, this letter reflects an additional purpose, namely
the redeployment of Titus, who is instructed to reunite with Paul at Nicopolis
(3:12). He is also informed that he would be replaced by either Artemas or
Tychicus (3:12). The presence of these delegates seems a satisfactory
measure in the present situation. Thus, at no stage is there any intimation that
the apostolic delegate would not be able to deal with whatever trouble there
was on Crete.
The letter gives evidence that Paul was aware of the difficulties related to the
opposition at the time he left. Paul displays an acute cognisance of the natural
moral disposition of the Cretans (1:12). Despite this fact, Paul left anyway,
leaving Titus behind. Whatever the nature of the threat or the opposition, it
was not as severe as to merit the physical presence of the apostle to address
it.
Paul's instructions to Titus are very specific. It does not appear to constitute
fresh instructions to Titus. The aorist indicative middle verb dietaxavmhn (1:5)
suggests an earlier time in the past when Paul must have instructed Titus.
What we encounter in the text appears to be a summary of obligations given
at a prior occasion and time.
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