Bible Study Titus 3: 1-15

 

A Commentary of the Book of Titus

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Titus 3: 1-15

Text:

Be Ready for Every Good Work

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, demonstrating all gentleness to all men. 3 For we ourselves also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and affection of God our Savior appeared, 5 He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be intent to lead in good works. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Instructions and Greetings

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 And our people must also learn to lead in good [b]works to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,”

Paul’s instruction is to be subject, be obedient, and be ready to do good works. Submission to the authority of Scripture demands submission to human authorities as part of a Christian’s testimony. You can disconnect your public life from your private life.  

Verse 2: “to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, demonstrating all gentleness to all men.”

“To slander no one” means we are to malign no one, and we are not to repeat gossip. What you shouldn’t hear, you should not repeat. However, this does not mean that the church cannot discipline members that act inappropriately. However, if the church has solid evidence that a member is doing something evil, that member should be named. Paul named certain men who were evil and unrepentant men: Phygellus and Hermogenes, Hymenaeus and Philetus, and Alexander the coppersmith. Then he also said that Demas had forsaken him, having loved this present world. We are to be kind and gentle toward all men unless the Scriptures direct us in a different way. 

Verse 3: “For we ourselves also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.”

It is not that every Christian has committed every sin listed in this verse, but rather that before being born again every unsaved life is characterized by such sins. That sobering truth should make believers humble in dealing with the lost, even those who are grossly immoral and ungodly. If it weren’t for God’s grace to His own, we would all be wicked. Salvation is of the Lord, 100%. Is the Lord Who saves the sinner.

Verse 4: “But when the kindness and affection of God our Savior appeared,”

Paul is speaking about Jesus Christ, who was Kindness and Love incarnate, appearing in human form.

Verse 5: “He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

You brought nothing to the grace of God except your sins and sin nature. You didn’t “receive Jesus” or make a profession to become born again. If you have been born again, it started with the Holy Spirit's conviction which was an act of grace that He showed you your need of a substitute. You needed a substitute to pay for your sins. His grace gave you what you didn’t deserve. You deserved justice, but He gave you grace and mercy. Then, you repented of your sins and placed your faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and were saved. The act of salvation washed you in the blood of Christ and now you have no sins lodged against your account in heaven. 

Verse 6: “whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,”

It is a rich experience when believers are saved, Christ’s Spirit blesses them beyond measure. Have you noticed that in everything God does there is excellence and abundance? He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. 

Verse 7: “so that having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

The central truth of salvation is justification by grace and faith alone. When a sinner repents and places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God declares him just, imputes the righteousness of Christ to him, and gives him eternal life by virtue of the substitutionary death of Christ as the penalty for that sinner’s iniquity. Too many church denominations send the grace of God away and replace it with a system based on works-based righteousness. The “do’s” and the “don’ts”, wear this but not this, go here but not there as a basis for their salvation. This is heretical and indicates that these people have never experienced true Holy Spirit conviction.

Verse 8: “This is a trustworthy saying. And concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be intent to lead in good works. These things are good and profitable for men.”

A believer is saved by the grace of God but that does not excuse him from the necessity of doing good works. The fact of the matter is, he is to “be intent to lead in good works.” Paul says that Titus should just keep affirming this constantly. Works do not lead one to salvation; works follow salvation. 

Verse 9: “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

Paul again warns against becoming embroiled in “foolish controversies…strife and conflict about the Law” with the many false teachers on Crete, especially the Judaizers who taught that a Christian must obey “the (Mosaic) law,” a view that contradicted the doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone and, contrary to holy living, which was good and profitable, was “unprofitable and worthless.” Proclaiming the truth, not debating heresies, is the Biblical way to evangelize.

Verse 10: “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,”

A “factious man” is one that promotes heretical doctrines and causes divisions in the community. Anyone in the church who is unsubmissive, self-willed, and divisive should be expelled. The person is to be given up to two warnings before removing him from the congregation.

Verse 11: “knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.”

The heretic is one who has turned aside from the truth. By his own ungodly behavior, a factious believer brings judgment on himself. How contrary is this teaching to the practices of the modern church. Today’s churches don’t want to offend, certainly not to the point of a public rebuke. When you see how far the modern church has left Biblical practices, it is no surprise that churches are in the condition they are in. 

Verse 12: “When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.”

Artemas is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament, he is apparently one of Paul’s co-laborers. Tychicus was in the ministry with Paul. Paul was probably in Macedonia.

Verse 13: “Diligently help send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.”

Zenas is mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament. He is probably one of Paul’s coworkers. Apollos was a native of Alexandria and noted for his speaking.

Verse 14: “And our people must also learn to lead in good works to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”

Paul gives a final admonition about good works. We must “learn” to lead in good works. The word translated “works” could also be translated as “occupations.” It’s something that must be worked at. A great many people think works are not necessary; however, we need to know what God considers good works, and we need to learn how to do them.

Verse 15: “All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”

Since the words “you all” are used, presumably Paul intended the letter to be read to the entire church. This book ends with this final benediction.