3.1-15

Titus

For the most part, the few vestiges of Christianity still reflected in our culture are weak and compromising. A growing number of those vestiges have become apostate or cultic. -John MacArthur. Paul shifts in these final verses from how believers are to live in the church (Ch. 2) to how they are to live in society (Ch.3). Could this be more critical today? Jesus Christ is the God of His church, but the prevailing gods in society are self-expression, moral freedom, materialism, and hedonism. We live in a society with gods no less pagan than Paul's Greek and Roman Pantheons. As such, Paul directs Titus to deliver reminders of four major areas. 1) Christian duty (vv.1b-2), 2) our former condition of unbelief and sin (v.3), 3) our salvation through Jesus Christ (v.5), and 4) our mission to an unbelieving, lost world (vv.6-7). His letter's final verses (9-15) mention four distinct and important categories of personal relationships within the church. Two good, and two bad. False teachers, divisive people (factious), fellow servants, and faithful friends. "Shun," and "reject" are our directed interactions with the former. Shun, here means "to turn away from purposefully." Reject, is also translated as "have nothing to do with." For the latter, the spirit of mutual support and care should always characterize spiritual leadership. Christian leaders are interdependent and called to trust and assist one another. Faithful service to Christ will show the world a harmonious, loving church, attracting unbelievers to salvation through trust in Christ.

CHAPTER 3

Be Ready for Every Good Deed

1 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 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 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.