Titus 3 (NIV)
Saved in Order to Do Good
3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Here Paul wants Titus to remind God’s people that they are to be gentle towards everyone, especially the natural Government; The government which God has appointed and ordained…
Read Romans 13:1-7
Here the phrase “rulers and authorities” and in some translations; “principalities and powers”, refers to government officials, not spirituals authorities as mentioned in …
Read Ephesians 6:12
Christians, thanks to the Jews…( mainly the Scribes and Pharisees), were thought of by the Romans to be a turbulent and seditious people. Since there were many Jews on Crete, and the Cretans themselves were prone to rebellion; known to be liars, lazy and evil brutes, the Christians were to show themselves as good citizens, peaceful and considerate, always ready for any duty to which they were called.
Christianity was not to be an excuse for shirking duties, or refusing obedience where it was due. The only limit is expressed by the word “good.” They were to give tribute to whom tribute was due; reverence to whom reverence was due; honor to whom honor was due; but, if ordered to do evil, then they must resist, and obey God rather than man.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
The servants of sin have many masters, they’re enslaved by many passions and pleasures. Thus they are hateful, deserving to be hated. It is the misery of sinners, that they hate one another; and yet it is the duty and happiness of believers to love one another.
We are delivered out of our miserable fallen condition, only by the kindness, mercy and grace of God.
Jesus Christ our Savior, is the fountain from which the Holy Spirit flows, to teach, regenerate, and save his fallen people. Love and grace have, through the Holy Spirit, great power to change and turn the hearts back to God.
Having been justified by grace, we have the promise of eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Paul is telling Titus that everything he just wrote about is the truth, and he stresses the fact that Christians must devote themselves to doing what is good in God’s sight. All “good“ works are profitable and beneficial to to all.
Paul then goes on to what to not do…avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
Basically such arguments lead one away from God and God’s wisdom, towards man and mankind’s wisdom, and hence you are to avoid such foolishness.
One of satans greatest weapons is to use someone to distract you from doing “good” works, to provoke controversies and arguments. We as believers are to avoid or even rebuke such a person.
Final Remarks
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Paul is sending other ministers to Titus, and when they arrive, Titus and the people are to provide for them, so that they have no needs. It is our obligation to take care of the ministers of God so that they lack nothing.
See Corin 9:13
Paul is going to stay at Nicopolis (a city in western Greece) through the winter, and has call Titus to come there with him.
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