Titus 3 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
Godly Living
3
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be
ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing
every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves,
disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our
life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness
of God our Saviour and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the
basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He
poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that being
justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of
eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy
statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that
those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for
men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and
disputes 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
Concerns
12
When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at
Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help
Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 Our people must also learn to engage in
good [b]deeds 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.
The IVP New Testament
Commentary Series
The Church in the World
(3:1-8)
Biblical
Christians are by definition in a predicament. Christians must live in this
world, but they are not of this world. As the Father sent Christ into this
world to minister, so he sends believers to be ministers in the world (Jn
17:14-18).
Titus
2:1—3:8 is concerned with living in this world. The previous passage stresses
engagement in the world, by enforcing Christian respectability in a way that
shows sensitivity to accepted social rules and relationships. At this point the question of the
Christian's general attitude toward all people and political institutions is
raised. What is the Christian's
obligation in relation to the world—that is, to its unbelieving inhabitants and
its political structure? The early church had to deal with this question
(1) because it was compelled by Christ's missionary mandate to reach the world
with the gospel, a task that requires interaction, and (2) because the
political system was generally opposed to the exclusive claims of Christianity.
What
Paul has to say in Titus 3 is not new, but reflects agreement with both his own
earlier thinking and that of 1 Peter 2:13-17. The instruction in 3:1-8 divides
into three parts: verses 1-2 give the instructions; verses 3-7 give the
theological foundation for the behaviour that is prescribed; and verse 8 adds a
missionary motive.
The Motive of Christian
Living in the World (3:8)
While
many versions of the Bible view verse 8, with its "faithful saying"
formula, as beginning a new paragraph, it is important to see its relation to
the preceding teaching. Here Paul attaches a strong motive for living the life
described in verses 1-2, the possibility of which verses 3-7 subsequently
demonstrate.
Rather
than creating a division, the assertion this is a trustworthy statement, which
refers back to at least verses 4-7 (so Knight 1979:95), bonds verse 8 to the
preceding discussion. As in its other occurrences (1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim
2:11), this formula calls the readers to a fresh acknowledgment of what has been
their common confession. The reason for doing so in this case, as in the
others, is to encourage the readers to live the life that the theological
statement declares to be a possibility. Verse 8 is a succinct conclusion to the
whole of the teaching on the Christian life given in Titus. In it Paul drives
home three points that we must not miss.
First,
the Christian life is a life of active performance. We must not mistake this
emphasis as evidence that Christian morality or ethics boils down simply to doing
the best that is humanly possible. This instruction is for those who have
trusted in God, and therefore the role of the Spirit and faith is assumed (Rom
8:4-17; Gal 5:16). Yet at the same time we must not misconstrue Christianity as
a gift from God that operates independently of the one who has received it. The
truth is, the reality of the new life in the Spirit is discovered only by those
who dare to be actors instead of audience. This comes through clearly in the
purpose given for Titus's emphasis on these things (Christian living, vv. 1-2,
and especially its theological basis, vv. 3-7): so that believers may be
careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. Here concentration of the
mind is combined with effort. A decision to perform is integral to the
Christian life.
Second,
as it is performed this life will have visible results. Paul describes this
performance with the term "good deeds." This is Christian life viewed
from its visible outworking (2:7; 2:14; 3:1; see notes on 1 Tim 2:10). The nearest
practical application of the term is to be found in the Christ-like lifestyle
outlined back in 3:1 and ahead in 3:14. Performed in this way, the genuine
Christian life contradicts the claims of the false teachers, who ultimately
denied God with their lifestyle completely devoid of good deeds (1:16).
Third,
the living out of this life will benefit everyone. Herein lies the motive. In
this new sentence Paul brings this qualitatively new life (the second these
things good deeds) to bear on the lives of others. It is because this life of
faith is inherently and manifestly good (NIV excellent) that it is able to be
of benefit to everyone. But of what benefit? For several reasons it is likely
that Paul is speaking from a missionary concern for those outside the faith.
First, the unambiguous reference to believers in the first half of verse 8
suggests that the reference to everyone at the end is primarily to unbelievers
(the same contrast appears in 3:1-2). Then, as in 2:5, 7-8, 10-11 and 3:2, so
also in this case: the importance of the visible attractiveness of the
Christian life is that it might point others to belief in God. Paul's thought
is that since God's love in Christ has transformed the lives of those who have
believed (3:3-7), the manifestation of that love in their lives (3:1-2, 8)
should have similar results in the lives of others. Mission is one of the
primary reasons for the performance of the Christian life in the world.
Back The Bible Panorama
Titus 3
V 1–2:
ACCEPT AUTHORITY
Church members are to be told to accept lawful authority and to be ready to do
good works. They must live peaceably and gently, speaking no evil and showing
humility to all men.
V 3–8:
CONVERSION CONDUCT Paul reminds Titus of the shameful and wicked ways that he
and they lived before coming to know Christ. But God’s kindness and love in Christ have changed that, through His mercy, His
cleansing and the work of His Holy Spirit in response to faith in Jesus Christ.
Because of God’s grace, which has justified repentant sinners, they should now
maintain good works, and Titus must teach this because it is good and
profitable for them all.
V 9–11:
DAMAGING DIVISIONS Foolish disputes and
unprofitable discussions which are going nowhere, and lead to strife, are to be
avoided. A person causing division is to be warned twice only. If he still
continues in his selfishness and sin, he is then to be rejected. The
implication is that church discipline should then exclude him until repentance
and faith are manifested.
V 12–14: SUPPORTING
SAINTS Paul
looks forward to a visit from Titus soon, and briefs him on the itineraries of
some of his co-labourers in the gospel. He urges Titus to make sure that God’s
saints are supported in their needs, lacking nothing. The church people must
also maintain good works to meet their needs, and thus be fruitful.
V 15:
GRACIOUS GREETINGS Again, Paul ends one of his letters by sending the
greetings of all with him and asking Titus to greet all who love him in the
faith. They need what he wants for them, namely God’s grace.
Dictionary of Bible
Themes
4018 life, spiritual
Life
embraces more than physical existence; it includes humanity’s relationship with
God. Human beings come to life spiritually only through faith in the redeeming
work of God in Jesus Christ. This spiritual life is a foretaste of the life
which believers will finally enjoy to the full in the new heaven and earth.
Life in the Spirit means keeping in step with the promptings and guidance of
the Holy Spirit, and always being open to his gifts and empowerment.
The
nature of spiritual life
It
is new life Ac 5:20 See also Ac 11:18; 2Pe 1:3; 1Jn 3:14
It
is true life 1Ti 6:19
It
is eternal life Ro 5:21 See also Da 12:2; Mt 19:29; Jn 6:27; 1Jn 5:11,20
It
is abundant life Ps 16:11; Jer 17:8 See also Ps 1:3; Jn 10:10
The
origins and nature of spiritual life
Spiritual
life is the work of the Holy Spirit Jn 3:6,8 See also Eze 36:26; Jn 3:3,5-7; Ro
8:11; Tit 3:5-7
Spiritual
life unites believers to Jesus Christ Eph 2:4-5 See also Ro 6:3-5; Ro 8:10; 1Co
12:13; Col 2:13; 1Jn 5:12
Spiritual
life makes believers the children of God Jn 1:12-13 See also Dt 30:20; Mt 6:9;
Ro 8:15; Jas 1:18; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 5:1
Spiritual
life brings people to know God Jn 17:3 See also Mt 11:27
Spiritual
life brings about faith Jn 3:15; Jn 20:31 See also Jn 3:16,36; Jn 5:24; Jn
6:40; Jn 11:25
Keeping
in step with the Spirit
A
new way of life is made possible Gal 5:25 See also Ro 8:5-6,9-16; Gal
5:16-18,22-24
Bondage
to the written law is ended Ro 2:29 See also Ro 7:6; Ro 8:2; 2Co 3:6; Gal
5:17-18
Obedience
to God is made possible Ro 8:4 See also Eze 36:27; Ro 8:13; Gal 5:16; 1Th 4:7-8
Deepening
unity is encouraged Eph 4:3 See also Col 2:13; Php 2:1-4
Strength
and encouragement are received Ac 9:31
Gifts
for those living in the Spirit
Gifts
are given for building up the church 1Co 12:4-11 See also Ro 12:6-8; 1Co
12:27-30
Visions
are given Ac 2:17; Joel 2:28; Rev 1:10,12-13; Rev 4:2; Rev 17:3; Rev 21:10
Miracles
are worked Mt 12:28 See also Ac 10:38; Ro 15:19; Gal 3:5
Ministry
is enhanced 2Co 3:6 See also 2Co 3:7-9
Those
living in the Spirit receive revelation and guidance
God
is revealed as Father Gal 4:6 See also Ro 8:14-16
God’s
purposes are revealed 1Co 2:9-10 See also Ro 15:13; 2Co 5:2-5; Gal 5:5; Eph
1:17-18
Guidance
is given to believers Ac 8:29 See also Ac 10:19; Ac 11:12; Ac 13:2; Ac 16:6-7;
Ac 20:22-23
Help
is given to pray Ro 8:26-27; Eph 6:18; Jude 20
The
Holy Spirit sanctifies those in whom he lives
Through
the Spirit, Jesus Christ lives in believers Eph 3:16-17
The
Spirit transforms believers 2Co 3:18 See also Ro 15:16; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2
The
fruit of the Spirit is seen in believers’ lives Ac 13:52; Ro 5:5; Ro 8:6; Ro
14:17; Ro 15:30; Gal 5:22-23; Col 1:8; 1Th 1:6
Examples
of life in the Holy Spirit
Jesus
Christ Mt 4:1 pp Mk 1:12 pp Lk 4:1; Mt 12:18,28; Lk 4:14,18; Lk 10:21; Ac 10:38
Simeon
Lk 2:25-27
Peter
Ac 4:8; Ac 10:19,44
Stephen
Ac 6:5,10; Ac 7:55
The
first Christians Ac 4:31; Ac 6:3-5; Ac 11:24,27-29; Ac 13:1-3; Ac 15:28
Yours
by His Grace
Blair
Humphreys
Southport, Merseyside,
United Kingdom
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