Titus · chapter 3 of 3
Updated on
Titus 3 asks the believers of Crete to submit to authorities, be ready for every good work and show gentleness to everyone, remembering what they once were. Paul explains that God saved them not because of works of righteousness but according to his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He ends with warnings about quarrels and with final greetings and instructions.
The last chapter of Titus completes the picture of a healthy church: faithful leaders, ordered lives and now an attitude of goodwill toward the world. Paul grounds that attitude in the salvation received, and gives one of the clearest summaries of the gospel in a single passage, with the work of the Father, the Son and the Spirit.
Paul reminds the believers to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling and to be gentle, showing perfect courtesy toward all people. For they themselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing their days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved them, not because of works done by them in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on them richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace they might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The saying is trustworthy, and Paul wants Titus to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works, which are excellent and profitable for people. Titus must avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, he must have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful and self-condemned.
When Paul sends Artemas or Tychicus, Titus must do his best to come to him at Nicopolis, where he has decided to spend the winter. He must speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that they lack nothing. The believers must learn to devote themselves to good works to meet urgent needs, so as not to be unproductive. All who are with Paul greet Titus, and he sends greetings to those who love them in the faith, with the blessing: grace be with you all.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Believers must submit to authorities, be ready for every good work and show gentleness to everyone, without slander or quarreling. The gospel forms gracious citizens, not isolated or combative believers.
When the goodness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us not because of works of righteousness of ours but according to his mercy. Salvation is an act of divine kindness, not a prize for our effort.
God poured out the Spirit richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, justified by his grace, we might become heirs with the hope of eternal life. In a single passage the Father, the Son and the Spirit appear in the work of saving.
Those who have believed in God must be careful to devote themselves to good works, which are excellent and profitable. They are not the cause of salvation, but they are its fruit, and they benefit others.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Submit to authorities and show gentleness to all. — Titus 3:1-2
Answer: Foolish, disobedient, led astray and slaves to passions and pleasures. — Titus 3:3
Answer: According to his mercy, not because of works of righteousness they had done. — Titus 3:5
Answer: To become heirs with the hope of eternal life. — Titus 3:7
Answer: Warn him once and then twice, then have nothing more to do with him. — Titus 3:10
Answer: At Nicopolis. — Titus 3:12
Remembering what we were protects us from pride and makes us patient with others: those saved by mercy can show mercy. In a group you can reflect on how we treat authorities, neighbors and those who think differently, and ask God for real gentleness.
It also reminds us that good works are a consequence, not a currency of payment. A congregation can identify urgent needs in its community, as Paul asks the Cretans, and meet them steadily. And about divisions, Paul advises warning clearly and, if the person insists, not turning every difference into a fight.
With simple instructions and greetings the letter to Titus ends, having drawn the portrait of an orderly church, sound in doctrine and committed to good works as the fruit of grace. Another short letter of Paul, addressed to Philemon, shows how that grace acts in a concrete relationship.
It is an image of new birth and of the cleansing God works by the Spirit. Christians understand it in different ways: some see a reference to baptism as the sign of that work; others, only the inner work of the Spirit. All agree that salvation is God's work and not a human achievement.
He refers to someone who insists on creating factions and fights after being warned several times. He is not speaking of someone who simply thinks differently or asks honest questions. The goal is to protect the church's unity, with warning as the first step.