Faithful Partnership: Τίτος (Strong’s G5103: Titos) Models Gospel Cooperation

Strong’s G5103: A proper noun of Latin origin meaning “honored, respected.” Paul’s trusted Gentile co-worker who exemplifies cross-cultural ministry and faithful partnership in Gospel work. His name appears in crucial contexts of church unity and mission.

U- Unveiling the Word

Τίτος represents more than just a personal name in the New Testament; it embodies successful cross-cultural ministry and faithful Gospel partnership. As a Gentile convert who became one of Paul’s most trusted co-workers, his name appears at crucial moments of church conflict resolution and ministry development. The early church saw in him a model of both faithful service and bridge-building between Jewish and Gentile believers. Today, he continues to exemplify effective partnership in ministry and the power of the Gospel to transcend cultural boundaries.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Τίτος, Titos, /TEE-tos/
• Detailed pronunciation: TEE-tohs (emphasis on TEE)
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun

Etymology:

• From Latin “Titus”
• Common Roman praenomen (personal name)
• May relate to Latin “titulus” (honor)

D – Defining Meanings

• Titus (personal name)
• Honored one
• Respected one

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but a Latin name adopted into Greek

Translation Options:

• “Titus” – Direct transliteration
• “Titius” – More Latinized form
• “The honored one” – Translation of meaning

E – Exploring Similar Words

• Τιμόθεος (Timotheos) /ti-MO-the-os/ – another trusted co-worker. See G5095
• Τύχικος (Tychikos) /TY-khi-kos/ – fellow minister. See G5190
• Τρόφιμος (Trophimos) /TRO-fi-mos/ – Gentile companion. See G5161

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a Proper Noun:

• Case: Nominative/Genitive/Dative/Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second

Case forms:

• Nominative: Τίτος
• Genitive: Τίτου
• Dative: Τίτῳ
• Accusative: Τίτον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes Τίτος’s significance as Paul’s trusted Gentile co-worker. Thayer’s notes his crucial role in church administration. LSJ documents the name’s use in both Roman and Greek contexts. Vine’s highlights his importance in early church mission work. Strong’s connects the name to concepts of honor. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its common usage as a Roman name. The synthesis reveals a carefully chosen representative for cross-cultural ministry and church leadership.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not [Titus] [Τίτος] my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 2:13

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 7:6
2 Corinthians 8:16
Galatians 2:1
Titus 1:4

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Suetonius: Lives	“[Titus] [Τίτος] served as consul with distinction.”
Tacitus: Histories	“[Titus] [Τίτος] commanded the legions in Judea.”
Josephus: Wars	“[Titus] [Τίτος] showed mercy to many in Jerusalem.”

N – Noteworthy Summary

Τίτος appears in Scripture as a model of faithful Gospel partnership and cross-cultural ministry. His life proclaims the good news that King Jesus breaks down cultural barriers and builds unified churches through faithful servants. Through Titus, we see how the Gospel creates effective partnerships across cultural divides, demonstrating that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek but one new humanity serving together.

D – Did You Know?

1. Titus was Paul’s test case for Gentile freedom from circumcision.
2. He successfully resolved conflicts in the Corinthian church.
3. He became the first bishop of Crete according to early tradition.

Strong’s G5103: A proper noun of Latin origin meaning “honored, respected.” Paul’s trusted Gentile co-worker who exemplifies cross-cultural ministry and faithful partnership in Gospel work. His name appears in crucial contexts of church unity and mission.

Part of speech: Proper Noun

Tags: names, ministry, partnership, Gentiles, leadership, missions, unity, cross-cultural, church planting, reconciliation, pastoral work, co-workers​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​