Titus 3
15 verses
Paul opens with commands to submit to authorities, reminding Titus that believers were once foolish and disobedient, enslaved to various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hated and hating one another—a brutal portrait of pre-Christian humanity. The theological pivot comes with the epiphany of divine goodness and loving kindness (chrestotēs kai philanthrōpia)—God's appearance is characterized by benevolence toward the undeserving—which saves not by works but through the washing of regeneration (palingenesia—new birth) and renewal of the Holy Spirit. The inclusion of even the most degraded in God's saving purposes establishes radical grace, making Christian superiority impossible and humility obligatory. Paul warns Titus to avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and quarrels about the law as unprofitable and worthless, establishing boundaries around acceptable discussion and redirecting energy toward mercy and justice. The divisive person warned twice is to be rejected after a second and third admonition, establishing church discipline procedures while making the goal restoration rather than permanent expulsion. The closing prayer—may our people learn to devote themselves to good works, meeting pressing needs, and not living unproductive lives—establishes that Christian faith must issue in concrete acts of justice and mercy, making orthopraxy inseparable from orthodoxy. The final blessing—grace to all of you—sends Titus forth assured that apostolic ministry is sustained by divine favor, his labors in Crete guaranteed the Lord's enabling presence.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
0 0Open verse page →
2
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
0 0Open verse page →
3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
0 0Open verse page →
4
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
0 0Open verse page →
5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
0 0Open verse page →
6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
0 0Open verse page →
7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
0 0Open verse page →
8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
0 0Open verse page →
9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
0 0Open verse page →
10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
0 0Open verse page →
11
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
0 0Open verse page →
12
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
0 0Open verse page →
13
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
0 0Open verse page →
14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
0 0Open verse page →
15
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
0 0Open verse page →
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
No reflections on this chapter yet. Be the first to write one!