The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Titus of Crete
d. c. 96/107 (trad., Crete, in old age) · Paul’s Greek co-worker · Delegate of Crete · Antioch → Corinth → Crete
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Titus of Crete was
A Greek convert whom Paul refused to circumcise at the Jerusalem conference — the test case of Gentile liberty, “to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour” — and afterwards his troubleshooter for the hardest assignments: bearer of the severe letter to Corinth (“God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus”), organizer of the collection there, and finally delegate in Crete “to set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city.” Last glimpsed departing to Dalmatia. Eusebius makes him Crete’s first bishop; the island’s tradition has him die in peace at a great age — the rare companion of Paul with a quiet end.
Common questions
When did Titus die?
Titus of Crete is dated d. c. 96/107 (trad., Crete, in old age) in the archive, which places Titus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Titus?
Titus of Crete is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul of Tarsus, Paul, Eusebius of Caesarea and The Constitutions' compiler. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Titus from?
The archive associates Titus of Crete with Antioch, Corinth, Crete. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Titus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Titus of Crete to 5 other figures, including Paul of Tarsus, Timothy of Lystra, Zenas the Lawyer and Artemas. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (4)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Galatians 2:3
c. AD 49But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.Paul of Tarsus · read ↗
2 Corinthians 8:23
c. AD 55Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you…Paul · read ↗
Ecclesiastical History III.4
c. AD 325Timothy, so it is recorded, was the first to receive the episcopate of the parish in Ephesus, as was Titus of the churches in Crete.Eusebius of Caesarea · III.4 · source text
Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 (bishop of Crete)
c. AD 380Of Crete, Titus.The Constitutions' compiler · Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
Place
Places served
The 5 places the sources put Titus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.
- 1AntiochA Greek, and not compelled to be circumcisedGalatians 2:1–3
- 2JerusalemTaken up to the apostles with Paul and BarnabasGalatians 2:1
- 3CorinthSent to complete the collection2 Corinthians 8:6, 16–17
- 4MacedoniaMet Paul there with news of Corinth2 Corinthians 7:5–7
- 5CreteLeft to set the churches in orderTitus 1:5