Pastor Jonathan Falwell
The book of Titus, along with 1 & 2 Timothy, is one of the pastoral epistles. Paul wrote the letter for the purpose of encouraging sound doctrine, right living, and good church practices among the followers of Christ. He also clearly underscores what he wrote to Timothy in how leaders within the church are to act. It was written around 63 or 64 A.D.
Titus 3:1-11 (CSB) Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
1. We have a calling to be different in a difficult world
Vss 1-2 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
- “submit” – willingness to do what doesn’t come naturally
- Romans 13 – Submit to authorities
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – Pray for authorities
- Acts 5:29 – But never compromise – “We ought to obey God rather than men”
- Contrasts between bad and good in verse 2
- Slander (bloss-fo-ME-o) = to speak against someone in such a way as to harm or injure their reputation[1]
- Galatians 5 – Kindness, Gentleness
Vss 9-11 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
2. Our calling comes from our changing
Vss 3-5 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
- Vs 3 For we too were once…
- “enslaved” – We were slaves to our former selves
- Romans 6:20 – For when you were slaves of sin
- Vs 4 But when…
- Romans 6:22 – But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God
3. This change leads to our hope
Vss 6-7 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
- Because of what Christ did for us all, we have been made right with Him
- “justified” – to declare someone as being made righteous
- “salvation” is a legal term describing a guilty person before the bar who is then pronounced blameless by the judge. This does not mean the individual has been found guiltless. Instead, it means that the person has been released from guilt, his offense paid for. All of this is by God’s grace, apart from human merit.[2] – Knute Larson
Vs 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.
- The practice of good works is the logical outcome of a true apprehension of the grace of God.[3] – Edmond Hiebert
[1] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–)
[2] Knute Larson, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, vol. 9, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 383.
[3] D. Edmond Hiebert, “Titus,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 447.