Titus — Chapter 3
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1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
1Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,
2to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.
3For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
4But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,
5not by works [done] in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:
9but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;
11knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter.
13Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14And let our [people] also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all.
1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.
2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.
3For we, too, were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,
5he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”
8This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people.
9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law because they are useless and empty.
10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings.
11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself.
12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13Make every effort to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; make sure they have what they need.
14Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.
15Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,
5not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;
7that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning,
11knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.
12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
13Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.
14Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Summary
Paul reminds believers to be subject to authorities, gentle toward all, and to remember their own former foolishness — saved "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy" through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers civic duty, the gospel summary, good works, and handling divisive people.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Regeneration and Renewal" on v.5 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 573) "Not by works of righteousness which WE have done — not our works, not our righteousness, not our doing. But according to HIS mercy — His mercy, not our merit. He saved us — past tense, accomplished, done. By the washing of regeneration — the cleansing of new birth. And renewing of the Holy Ghost — the Spirit making all things new within us. Salvation from first to last is God's work, God's mercy, God's Spirit." Sermon: "Heirs According to Hope" on v.7 (MTP Vol. 25, No. 1478) "Heirs — not servants, not tenants, not guests — heirs. According to the hope of eternal life — an inheritance that never fades, never spoils, never diminishes. Justified by His grace — declared righteous freely. Made heirs — given full inheritance rights. This is what grace does: it takes slaves and makes them sons, takes beggars and makes them heirs."
Videos
The Bible Project — Titus Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived" (v.3). Remember what you were before grace. Does remembering your past keep you humble and compassionate toward others who are still there?
- 2. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy" (v.5). Are you resting in God's mercy or still trying to earn His favor? Salvation is His work, not yours.
- 3. "Careful to maintain good works" (v.8). Saved by grace, not works — but saved FOR works. Are you intentionally pursuing good works? Not to earn salvation but because you have it?
- 4. "Avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions" (v.9). What controversies and arguments consume your time and energy without producing anything profitable? What would happen if you simply avoided them?
- 5. How do you handle divisive people (vv.10-11)? Do you warn them? Do you eventually separate if they refuse to change? Or do you let them continue causing damage?