In a typically Pauline fashion the letter closes with some final personal instructions (vv. 12–13; cf. Rom. 16:1–2; 1 Cor. 16:5–12; Col. 4:7–9), plus a “parting shot,” repeating the concern of the letter (v. 14; cf. Rom. 16:17–20a; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 6:17), final greetings, including greetings from Paul and his companions to all believers in Crete (v. 15a; cf. most of the Pauline letters), and the final benediction (v. 15b; cf. all the letters).

One should compare these instructions and greetings with the two letters to Timothy. The First Letter to Timothy has none of this, except the benediction, indicating that although both letters (1 Timothy and Titus) tend to be “all business,” 1 Timothy is more so, despite its more frequent personal exhortations to Timothy. The Second Letter to Timo…