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1Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
TITUS 3 Accountability: Maintaining an Effective Christian
Witness in a Secular World
Closing Remarks & Greeting The public expression of a
Christian witness is perhaps the most challenging
aspect of following Jesus Christ. Its where the “rubber meets
the road” and where we “put our money where our mouth is”. All
Christians live within some form of government authority and God’s
Word is not silent on describing our relationship to that
authority.
Note that the last chapter of this pastoral letter is fairly
short with only about 210 words but the Holy Spirit has “power
packed” it with spiritual truth! Whereas chapter 1 emphasized
church order and chapter 2 emphasized sound doctrine, this last
chapter emphasizes the works of a Christian as being salt to a
decaying society and light in a dark world. vv. 1, 2Ø REMINDER TO
BE A GOOD ‘CITIZEN’
[1 Remind them to be subject to rulers1 and authorities2, to
obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one,
to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.]
Paul closes his letter to Titus by giving practical instruction
on how a Christian is to respond to and behave in a hostile and
ungodly society. Any worldly, secular culture is going to challenge
the integrity of a Christian’s witness and Paul wanted that to
remain an effective influence. So the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to
remind us what the characteristics of the “Christian citizen”.
Although most Gentile kingdoms have been and are secular in
nature, the Bible tells believers they are to respect governmental
authority since God has ordained the powers that be. Refer also to
Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:13-16.
The scriptures describe what it is to be a Christian citizen and
here Paul, inspired by
the Holy Spirit, adds to that understanding. [“…subject to
rulers and authorities, to obey…”] The Greek word translated
“subject” here is the same word translated “obedient to” in Titus
2:5,9 in relation to young wives towards their husbands and
servants towards their masters. It literally means to arrange
under, and is a military term carrying with it the meaning of
respecting order and arranging oneself under another. The word for
“obey” here is an interesting compound Greek word: [3980
peitharcheo (pi-tharkh-eh'-o)] Literally “persuaded/convinced by a
ruler”, that is to submit or conform to authority. 1 Rulers [746
arche (ar-khay')] Chief (in various applications of order, time,
place, or rank). Beginning, corner, first estate, magistrate,
power, principality, principle, and rule. Translated principalities
in Ephesians 6:12 and magistrates here and in Luke 12:11. But most
often this word is translated beginnings in the New Testament. 2
Authorities/powers [1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah)] Lit. “out of self
(rule)”, privileged capacity, jurisdiction, freedom to act, liberty
to make decisions, right, strength or (objectively) mastery,
delegated influence. Translated powers in Ephesians 6:12 referring
to supernatural adversaries. But most often this word is translated
powers in the New Testament.
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2Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
Note that the Bible does not qualify our submission to
established authority based on a preference to any of the various
forms of government [democratic republic, imperial monarchy,
parliamentary, religious or fascist dictatorship]. Christians are
to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey the laws and be
ready to serve in the interest of the public good regardless of the
form of government.
Are there any exceptions to this in God’s Word? Yes, but only
one: when a
government law is in direct opposition to a higher law of God.
This action is given the term “civil disobedience”. See for example
Acts 4:17-20; 5:25-29; 16:16-23.
Why can Christians be subject to the powers that be? Because God
is control of all nations and sets up kings and brings them down,
He even allows the lowliest person to be put in high public
office3. All this to serve His eternal purposes. See Daniel
2:20,22; 4:17. Why can Christians be good citizens while here on
earth? Because of the hope a believer has in his/her real
citizenship4 in heaven. Note what Philippians 3:20 says
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly
wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ….”
What kind of conditions existed in the society that Paul was
speaking about? The
people of Crete were “…always liars, evil beasts, lazy
gluttons.” and posed a challenging problem for a believer to
maintain the integrity his or her Christian witness. Additionally,
there was the problem of “…many insubordinate, both idle talkers
and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision…”, that is the
Judaizers5, “…who subvert whole households, teaching things which
they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.”
Paul describes the actions of these in individuals in Galatians
2:1-5; 4:4-11 and Colossians 2:4-17. And yet Christians are to
be………. [“…Be ready for every good work…”] This is the will of God
and part of responsibility we have as Christians because of our
salvation. It occurs when the Word of God is understood and
practiced. See 1 Timothy 3:14-17. Note that Paul reiterates the
exhortation to maintain good works in verse 8 because they are good
and profitable to society. And in verse 14 he repeats the same
exhortation because by maintaining good works urgent needs will be
met and the believer will be fruitful. 3 Does this imply that God
sets up people like Stalin, or Hitler (and all the evil that they
wrought) or even an immoral President? I do not think the Bible
teaches this but rather the responsibility lies with the people in
what God allows them to have. {e.g., 1 Samuel 8:6,7; Psalms
106:15}. 4 Interestingly this word in the Greek is "politeuma" from
which we get the word "politics" or "conversation" as it is
translated in the King James. And ‘politics’ certainly does
generate a lot of conversation. It refers to a “manner of life”
within a commonwealth of people. It can also pertain to things we
concern ourselves with most or to get involved in the "marketplace"
of community discussion. 5 Jews who were believers or unbelievers
that required the keeping of the Law, especially circumcision. See
Acts 15:1, Philippians 3:2,3.
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3Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
In Philippians 2:9-16 Paul elaborates on this theme by
explaining it in terms of “…working out our salvation with fear and
trembling”. Listen to Paul, writing from prison, as he talks about
being ready for every good work
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you
both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without
complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and
harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
What are the attributes of ‘every good work”. Paul now lists
them for us:
[to speak evil of no one ] 987 blasphemeo (blas-fay-meh'-o);
Literally, “injurious speech”. To vilify; specially, to speak
impiously: blaspheme, defame, rail on, revile, to speak
reproachfully, to be evil spoken of.
[to be peaceable] 269 amachos (am'-akh-os); Literally, “without,
instead of or opposed to battling/fighting/striving”; not
contentious, abstaining from fighting, peaceable, i.e., without a
‘macho’ attitude. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as
depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” This then refers to
only what the believer can do in having an attitude of forgiveness
– he or she is not responsible for the other person to be
peaceable.
[gentle] 1933 epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace'); Literally “to take
after/resemble” [weakness], appropriate behavior as becoming a
Christian, by implication mild, patient, moderate, suitable,
equitable.
[Showing all humility to all men] 4236 praiotes (prah-ot'-ace);
gentleness, by implication humility, mildness, meekness.
There was a lot of false doctrine being propagated and it needed
to be stopped. But in opposing the false teaching, Christians are
to maintain an orderly and peaceful demeanor within the society
they live – not speaking evil of anyone, being peaceable, gentle
and showing an attitude of humility to all men.
Paul next quickly moves from this subject to reminding
Christians that before their conversion to faith in Jesus Christ
they exhibited the same kinds of wicked and unruly behavior.
Therefore, by remembering this, a believer will be ready to submit
to authority, be ready for every good work, speaking evil of no
one, being peaceable, gentle and humble before all men.
Why can we be good citizens while here on earth? Because our
real citizenship6 is in heaven. Note what Philippians 3:20 says
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait
for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ….”
6 Interestingly this word in the Greek is "politeuma" from which
we get the word "politics" or "conversation" as it is translated in
the King James. And ‘politics’ certainly does generate a lot of
conversation. It refers to a “manner of life” within a commonwealth
of people. It can also pertain to things we concern ourselves with
most or to get involved in the "marketplace" of community
discussion.
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4Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
vv. 3Ø REMINDER OF OUR PAST WORLDLY ‘ROOTS’
[3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and
envy, hateful and hating one another.] To encourage believers live
a Christian life in a godless society with its associated evils,
Paul reminds them of where they came from and what they once were.
The culture of Crete would have put any Christian ‘to the test’.
{See also Romans 11:30,31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11}.
[“…were also once …”] We have been translated from the kingdom
of darkness into the marvelous kingdom of light. {1 Peter 2:9,10;
Colossians 1:12-14} We were once children of God’s wrath – now we
ARE God’s children through ‘adoption’ {Ephesians 1:3-7; 2:1-3;
Galatians 4:4-6}. Paul puts it this way in Romans 13:13-14
“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and
drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But
put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh,
to fulfill its lusts.”
In short, to remain civil in an otherwise normally uncivilized
world, Christians need to remember that they were once:
• foolish [453 anoetos (an-o'-ay-tos)] Lit. “not intelligent”,
slow to understand or without understanding, unwise; dull of
hearing, by implication, sensual.
• disobedient [545 apeithes (ap-i-thace')] Lit. “unpersuadable”,
stubborn. Refer to 1 Samuel 15:22,23. Unreasonable and
self-centered.
• deceived [4105 planao (plan-ah'-o)] “to roam” (from safety,
truth, or virtue), to wander, go astray, be seduced. Wandering in
one’s thoughts.
• serving various desires & pleasures [1939 epithumia
(ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah)] Lit. “on heat”, a longing for what is
forbidden, craving, desire, lust (after). [2237 hedone
(hay-don-ay')] from handano (to please); sensual delight; by
implication, desire for pleasure, i.e., hedonistic. Lit. “enslaved
to various forbidden passions and sensual delights”.
• living in malice & envy [1236 diago (dee-ag'-o)] Lit. “to
pass time or life”. [2549 kakia (kak-ee'-ah)] desire to injure,
harm or cause trouble, depravity, wickedness. [5355 phthonos
(fthon'-os)] ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy. Lit. “passing
the time with a desire to cause harm and being jealous of
others”.
• hurtful & hating each other [4767 stugnetos
(stoog-nay-tos')] hated, detestable, odious. [3404 miseo
(mis-eh'-o)] to detest (especially to persecute), to pursue with
hatred.
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5Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
vv. 4-7 Ø REMINDER OF THE SOURCE OF OUR GREAT SALVATION
[4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward
man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out
on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having
been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the
hope of eternal life.] But can anything change this pathetic state
of sin? Paul now launches into a theological discussion relating to
the nature and glory of salvation.
In due time the ANSWER to saving us from this state of sin
appeared, literally ‘shined upon’, i.e., came to light. In English
this word is ‘epiphany’. Oftentimes this is depicted in the comics
when a person gets an idea or suddenly realizes what’s going on. To
illustrate this the artist draws a light bulb over their head
indicating a ‘light turned on’. The same word used here for
‘appeared’ is translated ‘give light’ in Luke 1:79 in the context
of Zacharias referring prophetically to the ministry of his son,
John the Baptizer
“…Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring
from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in
darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of
peace.”
And also in John 1:5; “And the light shines in the darkness, and
the darkness did not comprehend it.” How did He do this? By
appearing in the flesh to save that which was flesh. Refer to John
1: 12-14, 17 and Galatians 4:3-7. Note 2 Corinthians 4:6:
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
God did not leave the work of salvation to another ‘agency’ like
a set of rituals or to angels but became personally involved7. {See
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:14-18}.
In Jesus Christ the kindness and love of God our Savior
literally ‘shined upon’ us! In other words the God of Heaven and
Creator of the Universe illuminated His kindness and love upon us
by becoming our Savior and dying in our place for our sins! The
word translated kindness here is a Greek word that means moral
excellence or goodness and is derived from another word meaning
useful – that is; ‘to furnish what is needed’. God’s moral
superiority is demonstrated in His desire to become flesh and die
in a most cruel and humiliating manner to pay the penalty for our
sins which is death – separation.
7 Note especially Hebrews 2:17: “Therefore, in all things He had
to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and
faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make
propitiation for the sins of the people.”
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6Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
The word translated love here is not the normal word ‘agape’ as
in “For God so loved the world….” but it is the word [5363
philanthropia (fil-an-thro-pee'-ah)] which literally means “lover
of mankind”. It can also mean fondness of man or benevolence and is
where we get the English word ‘philanthropist’ and ‘philanthropy’.
God’s goodness and moral excellence and His love of mankind
furnished the action that was necessary to save us from sin and
eternal condemnation. HALLELUJAH! God’s love is illustrated by Him
giving us a piece of bread when we ask for it. His loving kindness
is when He also adds strawberry jam to it without us asking for it.
This is actually a character trait of God that Jonah was upset
about! {Refer to Jonah 4:1,2.}. God saved us with loving kindness
through Christ Jesus our LORD. [“…not by works of righteousness
which we have done…”] Refer to Romans 10:3-10. But by His mercy and
grace He saved us…… Romans 5:6-10. HOW DID GOD SAVE US?
• [“According to His mercy….”] God’s faithfulness and mercy in
saving us is praised in Lamentations 3:21-23; Psalms 89:1.
• [“….washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”]
Refer to John 3:3-6; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews
10:18-22.
Regeneration8 = lit. “a new beginning”, i.e., a new start or new
genealogy. In Jesus Christ we have been made a ‘new creature’. {}.
Renewed9 = lit. “new in the midst”, i.e., a renovation. A true
Christian {‘born again’ believer; John 3:3,7} will not practice sin
{1 John 2:29; 3:1-10; 5:4,18}. We have been given the Holy Spirit10
who has regenerated and renewed us as a new creation in Christ
{Rom. 8:9-17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; 4:20-24; Col. 3:1-11}.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same
image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2
Corinthians 3:17,18.
The power of the Holy Spirit gives us a new beginning and
renovates our lives to the glory of Jesus Christ. God has the
greatest thing going – an Extreme Life Makeover!
8 This word is used only here and by Jesus in Matthew 19:28 in
the context of His sitting on the throne of God’s glory when His
kingdom on earth is established consummating ultimately in the
establishment of a new heaven and earth. 9 This word is used only
here and in the context of a Christian not conforming to the
pattern of this world but being transformed by a renewal of the
mind {Romans 12:2}. 10 The Holy Spirit also resides in us {John
14:16,17; 1 Cor. 6:19,20}, sets us apart {Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11;
12:13; Eph. 1:13,14; 4:30}, convicts the world of sin {John
16:7-11} and teaches believers the deep things of God’s Word {John
16:13-15; 1 Cor. 2:10-13; 1 Thess. 1:5; 1 John 2:20,27}.
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7Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
When that happens the believer’s name is written in the Lamb’s
Book of Life {Eternal}. See for example Philippians 4:3 and
Revelation 21:27. WHAT DID GOD GIVE US?
• [“…whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Savior…”] God poured out His Holy Spirit upon us richly and
lavishly without reservation – He held nothing back. God has given
us His Holy Spirit & power.
• [“…that having been justified by His grace…”] This is the same
thing Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10. Justification = ‘just as if I
never sinned’. We are justified because our sins can be forgiven –
the blood of Jesus Christ paid the sin-debt. • [“…we should become
heirs according to the hope of eternal life”.] Here Paul uses the
phrase hope of eternal life again {See Titus 1:2}. It is an
important spiritual truth and doctrine. Refer to John 10:28;
Hebrews 9:15; 1 John 2:25; 3:3. Our heavenly inheritance is based
on the promise of eternal life in future glory as joint heirs with
Jesus Christ {Revelation 22:3-5}. In Christ we have the inheritance
of eternal life – an eternal home in heaven with God.
Christians are not ‘debtors to the flesh’ but are to be led by
the Spirit because we are children of God and joint heirs with
Jesus Christ {Romans 8:12-17}. It is the shed blood of Jesus Christ
that brings us this hope {Ephesians 2:11-16}. It is the
resurrection of Jesus Christ that secures us this hope {1
Corinthians 15:19-21}. It is the Christian’s BLESSED HOPE {Titus
2:13}. vv. 8-11 Ø REMINDER HOW TO MAINTAIN A STRONG CHRISTIAN
WITNESS
[8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to
affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be
careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies,
contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable
and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second
admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning,
being self-condemned.]
Paul began this chapter by reminding Christians that they are
responsible for demonstrating their faith and integrity within the
culture and society in which they live and in so doing they make
the best citizens.
Now Paul begins his closing comments by reminding Titus, and us,
that Christians are to be reminded (affirmed) constantly to be
careful to maintain ‘good works’. This is a faithful ‘saying’ or
‘logos’ – a faithful word or communication. Why? Because it
demonstrates credible, authentic faith to non-believers. The word
translated maintains here means to ‘proactively cause’ to happen.
That is, to be in front of or on top of demonstrating good will
towards others.
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8Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
In his letter to the church at Philippi, after Paul describes
the humility, redemptive work and exhalation of Jesus Christ, he
exhorts believers to ‘…work out their own salvation…’. The context
of Paul’s statement explains that this is the process of being salt
and light to a dying and dark world:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you
both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without
complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and
harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. –
Philippians 2:12-16.
This passage of scripture parallels James’ statement that ‘Thus
also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead’ {James
2:17} which James repeats two more times. James describes the man
or woman of faith as one whose actions and words will bear the
testimony of real conversion. This includes standing up and
defending the faith! We are not to be shy or timid in doing
this.
But to do this we must be mature in our study and understanding
of God’s Word. This is consistent with what Paul has already
exhorted Titus to do in this letter {Titus 1:13-16; 2:11-15;
3:1,2}. [These things are good and profitable to men.] The observed
and active faith of a Christian will be good and profitable to
society. This means that when the faithful and humble acts of a
believer are evidenced in society, they become valuable, virtuous,
honorable, useful and advantageous to people. Genuine Christian
behavior will cause others to give the credit and glory to the
LORD, the source of all good things.
The prosperity and blessings found in Judeo-Christian cultures
is in direct measure to the extent a nation is trusting in the God
of the Bible and following His precepts and commands. Wherever the
Gospel goes in this world it brings with it not only the message of
salvation, but also the practical effects of helping people out of
their suffering, ignorance and poverty. Paul here reminds us that
this is the way it is supposed to be. Think about the thousands of
hospitals, children’s homes and food distribution activities
established by self-sacrificing Christian organizations and
individuals and then compare that with the track record of other
religions11. [But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies,
contentions…] A believer is to avoid getting involved with foolish
disputes, genealogies and contentions. What are these?
11 In this regard it is interesting to note what happened after
the massive 9.0 earthquake early Sunday morning on December 26,
2004 and the resulting tsunami that hit Indonesia and other Indian
Ocean countries and islands. It was the predominantly
Judeo-Christian western countries that supplied almost all the help
by way of sending rescuers, food, clothes and money. This despite
the fact that the Islamic Arab countries have billions of dollars
from oil revenues but sent virtually nothing to help those in the
world’s largest Muslim region! And yet they were still called
‘stingy’ by the United Nations.
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9Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
Well first of all they stem from human pride with an attitude
that says – “I know better than you”; “I’m right and you’re wrong”;
or “This idiot doesn’t know a thing and I’m going to set them
straight”.
The word foolish here means dull of mind, stupid or irrational.
It is the Greek word12 [3474 moros] where we get our English word
‘moron’. It implies a mental block to understanding as if the
normal thought processes are impaired. This would result in absurd
thinking and speaking giving a strong impression of ignorance.
Today we might use words like ‘dense’ or ‘blockhead’ when applying
this word to an individual. So we are talking about irrational and
ignorant discussions and involvement here.
[But avoid foolish disputes…] A believer is to avoid foolish and
irrational disputes. The word used here [2214 zetesis
(dzay'-tay-sis)] has to do with being obsessed on seeking an answer
to question or inquiry. The idea is not to get distracted in
discussing a questionable subject or getting entangled in a
controversial debate. For example trying to answer the question of
how many angels can dance on top of a pin. This word is used
positively in John 3:25 where it says, Then there arose a dispute
between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification.
Also used in a positive sense in Acts 25:20, “And because I was
uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go
to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.” Thus,
disputes can be legitimate or foolish – a Christian is to avoid the
latter. However, in most places used in the New Testament, the idea
of a dispute is in a negative context. Believers are to avoid
getting embroiled taking sides on questionable issues {like fables
and endless genealogies} in the first place “…which cause disputes
rather than godly edification which is in faith”. A Christian
should be consistently trade-off the benefits between disputing an
issue with mutual edification of the saints. They are not to get
distracted with meaningless and questionable arguments and issues.
See for example 1 Timothy 6:3-5 and 2 Timothy 2:14, 23-26. [But
avoid foolish…genealogies…] The Jews were big on genealogies, but
there is a limit to how much emphasis to be placed on them. By
focusing on such meaningless discussions more disputes and
questions arise to the detriment of godliness and faith being
increased. A believer is to avoid getting obsessed with genealogies
that could become endless. These kinds of things originate from men
who turn away from the truth of God’s Word {Titus 1:14}. Refer also
to 1 Timothy 1:3,4. An application of this could also be astrology,
the genealogy of the heavens and the casting of heavenly signs.
There are many Christians who pride themselves on knowing God’s
Word and would not dare bow down to an idol yet dabble into
astrology. Believers are to avoid such foolish nonsense.
12 It is interesting to note that this word comes from the Greek
word for mystery [3466 musterion] a derivative of muo {to shut the
mouth} as if to keep something secret as in the silence imposed by
initiation into religious rites.
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10 Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
This could also be referring to the Gnostics philosophy of
angelic hierarchy [i.e., genealogy] to heaven. See for example
Colossians 2:18-23. [But avoid foolish…contentions…] A believer is
to avoid getting involved in contentions and being contentious. The
word used here refers to quarreling, wrangling and striving to be
contrary.
Paul lists this problem with his grocery list of sins resulting
from a wholesale rejection of God and debased mind in Romans
1:28-32. Quarreling is associated with envy in Romans 13:13,
carnality in 1 Corinthians 3:3 and the works of the flesh in
Galatians 5:19-21. Paul chastised the church at Corinth over this
{1 Corinthians 1:11} and that church appears to have succumbed to
foolish disputes and contentions; something of which Titus was
aware of {refer to 2 Corinthians 12:18-21}. Obviously, a
contentious spirit can destroy a church through causing division
and instability. It is rightfully condemned. The answer to these
foolish and irrational things is given in Galatians 5:16, 22-26.
FURTHERMORE…………. [But avoid … and strivings about the law] A
believer is also to avoid strivings about the law. Paul has some
strong words to say about this in Galatians 3:1-14; 5:1-12;
Colossians 2:8-17. [“…for they are unprofitable and useless.”] The
reason a Christian is to avoid discussing and debating foolish
issues and subjects because they are unprofitable [lit. “useless’
or ‘disadvantageous’] the opposite of what is profitable in verse
8. These kinds of disputings are also literally ‘empty’,
‘worthless’ or ‘vain’.
Those individuals who want to continue to engage in questionable
debates and are argumentative are divisive [141 hairetikos
(hahee-ret-ee-kos')] refers to someone who desires to cause
division and strife. The word itself literally means ‘picked up a
choice’. That is, made the choice and sticking to it. In this case
a choice is contentious13. This is referring to a person who will
not change because they have made their choice to rebel against the
truth. Such a person is to be rejected [lit. = ‘ask beside’ or
‘call besides’] after twice trying to admonish [lit. = ‘call
attention to’] him or her. The idea here is not to communicate with
such a person, to by-pass their opinion and not seek their counsel
or advice after their divisiveness has been called to their
attention at least twice. We will see the reason for this next. A
person who refuses to repent of being divisive after having been
called to attention on it two or more times is:
(1) warped14 [lit. = ‘twisted away from’] perverted or subverted
in their thinking. It is as though their mind has been brainwashed
and wrung out like a washrag. We might say that their thinking is
“wrapped around an axel”. Obviously, such a person cannot be spoken
to rationally, with logic and reason.
(2) sinning [lit. = ‘missing the mark’] and
13 That is rude and argumentative. 14 warped [1612 ekstrepho
(ek-stref'-o)] from [1537 ek or ex = out of, from, away from] +
[4762 strepho (stref'-o) = to twist] means to twist away from, i.e.
turn completely around or reverse. To pervert, to turn around or
twist out, to tear up, to turn inside out, to corrupt.
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11 Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
(3) condemned15 in himself/herself [lit. = ‘a judged against
oneself’]. vv. 12-14 Ø CLOSING PERSONAL REMARKS &
INSTRUCTIONS
[12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come
to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste,
that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to
maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be
unfruitful.] Paul closes this letter, written from Macedonia, with
some personal remarks and instructions to individuals, fellow
believers, who were evidently active in supporting him in his
ministry. Titus is instructed to be diligent in meeting Paul in
Nicopolis16 for the winter while Artemas17 and Tychicus18 will be
sent to Crete to relieve Titus from his responsibilities there.
The exhortation to maintain good works is given again {as it was
in vv. 1, 8} and it means to ‘proactively cause’ to happen. That
is, to be in front of on top of demonstrating good will towards
others. But here Paul adds the aspect of learning to maintain good
works, which implies they do not come automatically. Acts that
demonstrate the Christian faith need to be cultivated and nourished
by studying God’s Word and then deciding to obey it. [“…..to meet
urgent needs”] Literally, to meet the
‘necessities/occasions/business among the arms’, that is to meet
necessary and indispensable needs by furnishing what is needed in a
physical way. In this way, Christians are to be FRUITFUL –
reproducing the character of Jesus Christ and demonstrating the
‘fruits of the Spirit”.
15 condemned [843 autokatakritos (ow-tok-at-ak'-ree-tos)] means
judged against oneself, auto-judged, i.e., self-condemned. 16
NICOPOLIS (ni-kop'o-lis; "city of victory"). There were several
cities of this name, which leaves some doubt as to the one about
which Paul wrote. Of the three, one was in Thrace, another in
Cilicia, and a third in Epirus. The latter, a province in
northwestern Greece on the Adriatic Sea seems the most likely to
have been meant. This was built by Augustus Caesar in 30 BC in
honor of a victory at Actium, which was only four miles south. 17
Artemas is traditionally associated as being the bishop {chief
elder} of Lystra. 18 Tychicus is mentioned as one of Paul’s
companions during a portion his return journey from his third
missionary tour where he traveled ahead of Paul from Macedonia to
Troas to await for his arrival {Acts 20:4}. In Paul's first
imprisonment he was a faithful friend and fellow worker and a
messenger sent to Ephesus to perhaps read his epistle to the
Christians in that city as with the letter to the Colossians
{Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8}. In 2 Timothy 4:12 (written
at Rome during the second imprisonment), he says, “Tychicus I have
sent to Ephesus.” Tychicus was probably one of the two ‘brethren’
(Trophimus being the other) who were associated with Titus {2
Corinthians 8:16-24} in conducting the business of the collection
for the poor Christians in Judea.
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12 Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005
vv. 15 Ø FINAL WORDS OF GREETING
[15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in
the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.]
Finally, Paul having the pastor’s heart that he has closes with
the encouragement that all the believers that are with him send
their greetings.
The Greek word used here implies a physical action such as an
embrace and kiss that
was a traditional Christian greeting. It can also refer to a
salute and is just as often translated that way. [Grace be with you
all.] Paul closes with a blessing that God’s grace, His unmerited
favor towards believers. Grace is often paired with peace and the
two go hand-in-hand {Romans 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3;
Eph. 1:2; Phil 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:2, 3:16-18;
1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet.
1:2; 2 John 1:3; Rev. 1:4}. For the one who has received the grace
of God is at peace with the Creator and Savior. God’s grace is seen
both in the fellowship we have with Him through the Son, Jesus
Christ and also the fellowship we share with other believers.
Included in God’s grace are the gifts of love, hope, faith, peace
and joy that sustain us spiritually and that are bestowed upon us
lavishly through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit {refer to vv.
5,6}. Also, the gifts of life: family, food, clothing and housing –
simple but necessary things to sustain life. The last word of this
letter is fittingly, “AMEN”. The word is universally known and
understood worldwide. It means; “let it be so” or “so shall it be
done”. As it turns out, it is actually one of the names for Jesus
revealed in the condemnation of the church at Laodecia:
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These
things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning
of the creation of God”. – Revelation 3:14
‘Amen’ of grace is also the last word in the New Testament
scriptures.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” –
Revelation 22:21. Here is a summary of Paul’s letter to Titus: AND
SO LET THERE BE ORDER & DISCIPLINE IN CHRIST’S CHURCH, LET
GOD’S WORD BE PROCLAIMED SO THAT SOUND DOCTINE PREVAILS AND LET
GOOD WORKS BE LEARNED & MAINTAINED!