Silas and Titus: Workers with Paul

KEY VERSE: “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned.” —Titus 2:7,8

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:22,30-34; II Corinthians 8:16-24

SILAS, who was a leading member of the Early Church at Jerusalem, was a companion of Paul on his second missionary journey. The congregation at Jerusalem chose Silas to accompany Barnabas and Paul back to Antioch to inform that congregation of the results of the discussion regarding circumcision. (Acts 15:22,30-32) The message these brethren brought to the church at Antioch was a welcome one because it, in effect, officially (as far as the Early Church was concerned) released the Gentile converts from the yoke of the Law. The essence of the message was, “We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.”—Acts 15:27-29

The account continues, stating that when the brethren heard these things there was great rejoicing. Then apparently “Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words.” (Acts 15:30-32) At last it had been confirmed that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Evidently Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch for a time teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord. After a time Paul felt it would be profitable to visit the classes which had been established to see how they were developing and to encourage them. He invited Barnabas to accompany him on this journey but Barnabas was determined to take Mark with them. The apostle objected to this because on their previous trip Mark had “departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”—Acts 15:38

As a result of this difference, contention became “so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other, and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”—Acts 15:39,40

Titus was a Greek Christian who also was privileged to work with the Apostle Paul. At the time the circumcision question came to the fore at Antioch, it appears that Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem. (Acts 15:1,2; Gal. 2:1-3) Subsequently Titus ministered unselfishly to the Corinthian brethren, having been sent to Corinth by the apostle in the collection for the needy brethren in Judea and perhaps also to note the reaction of the congregation to Paul’s first letter to them.

Paul’s evident love for Titus is expressed in II Corinthians 2:12,13, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s Gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.” And again in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote concerning the integrity of Titus, “Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? Walked we not in the same steps?” (II Cor. 12:17,18) Titus was indeed a faithful and trusted co-worker with Paul. When Titus met the apostle later in Macedonia, he was able to give a good report about the Corinthian brethren which brought comfort and joy to the apostle.

Since Titus initiated matters in connection with the contribution to the Judean brethren, Paul desired that he complete the effort and commended Titus to the Corinthian brethren. “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. … But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. … Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.”—II Cor. 8:6,16,17,23

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