Respecting the founding of the Cretan churches we have no information in the Acts of the Apostles.  The only time mentioned by Luke when Paul touched at Crete was on his voyage to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 27:8); and then he had neither time nor liberty for the work of preaching the gospel in that island.  Crete contained many Jews, some of whom were present at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11).  The apostle’s visit to Crete referred to in this epistle we assume to have taken place between his first and second imprisonment at Rome.  Whether the churches of the island were then founded for the first time or had previously existed, it is certain that Paul left them in an imperfect state of organization.  For this reason he requested Titus to remain, that he might set in order the things that were wanting, and ordain elders in every city.  Chap. 1:5.

It is remarkable that we have no notice of Titus in the Acts of the Apostles.  From the epistles of Paul we learn that he was his companion in travel, and intrusted by him at different times with missions to the churches.  He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the so-called Council of the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, where, being a Greek, he was exempted from the necessity of circumcision.  Gal. 2:1, 3.  For other notices of him see 2 Cor. 2:13; 7:6, 13, 14; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18.  His stay in Crete was not to be permanent; for the apostle directs that upon the arrival from him of Artemas or Tychicus he should rejoin him at Nicopolis—­probably Nicopolis in Epirus.  Chap. 3:12.

41.  SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.—­The first epistle to Timothy and that to Titus are in a certain sense official; that is, they are largely occupied with apostolic counsels and directions to these two men respecting the administration of the churches which Paul had committed to their care.  The present epistle is of a more private and personal character.  It was written from Rome when Paul was a prisoner there (chaps. 1:8, 16, 17; 2:9), and expecting soon to seal his testimony with his blood (chap. 4:6).  In his extremity, when fidelity to him could be shown only at the hazard of life, many of his friends had forsaken him.  Chaps. 1:15; 4:10.  He needed the presence and help of Timothy, and wrote urging him to come speedily, and to bring certain articles which he had left at Troas.  Feeling that his end was near, he improved the occasion to give Timothy his affectionate apostolic counsel and encouragement.  Hence the present epistle differs strikingly in its preceptive part from the other two.  They contain specific directions for ordaining officers and managing the affairs of the churches; for in them the apostle writes to men in charge of specific fields of labor.  In the second epistle to Timothy, on the contrary, the apostle’s exhortations are general, for he is summoning him away from his particular field to give attendance upon himself at Rome.  But all three of the pastoral