Titus 3
3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
The final entry in this short book is meant to remind not only the people of what has been taught, but to remind us of our former position and to act out in humility. First, Paul reminds the people to live under the authority of the rulers. This means to live lawfully. To live in peace with others. Peace with others is achieved through obedience. If we understand authority, then we have to understand that we are submissive to authority. Our obedience is marked by submission. Not only tour earthly authority, but to others, and first and foremost, to God.
We must also act in kindness to others and live a life that is marked by doing good. This also speaks to living peacefully. If we are living by the golden rule (Love God with all your being and love others as yourself), then we should be living good anyway. Our good living is an extension of our heart, and if we are slanderous, then there is something wrong at the heart level.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Earlier in this life we were foolish, disobedient and thus deceived by the evil around us. We were enslaved by the passions that brewed from the abyss of this world, and we lived in the grip of those things for so long. In that it was natural to exude malice, to be envious and hating. In other words, we were brought up in the bosom of a world opposed to God.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
But what did God do for you? He took you out of the grip of the world and showed you another way. Through Hid kindness and love He saved us. He was merciful. He was loving. And through this rebirth, in understand who Jesus is and what His sacrifice means, He captured us again for Himself. We were justified by grace, so that we may have eternal life.
Those who trust in God must devote themselves to doing good. Because the work of following Jesus, learning who He is and how we can live in Him, is an excellent and profitable way to live.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Paul gives us one final warning: he says to avoid foolish controversies. Why? Because these arguments and quarrels (about the law) are worthless. What this means is that sometimes we can get bogged down in the minutia of “religious practices.” As Christians, if we are arguing the finer points of how to do things, instead of why we do things, it becomes a quagmire of opinion and speculation. Our eyes should always be on the far-reaching goal: of winning others for Christ and improving our own relationship with God. Derisive people, who continually stir up trouble, should be warned. If they do not want to change their ways, then they need to be turned loose. Nothing should get in the way of our relationship.
Final Remarks
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
The final entry in this short book is meant to remind not only the people of what has been taught, but to remind us of our former position and to act out in humility. First, Paul reminds the people to live under the authority of the rulers. This means to live lawfully. To live in peace with others. Peace with others is achieved through obedience. If we understand authority, then we have to understand that we are submissive to authority. Our obedience is marked by submission. Not only tour earthly authority, but to others, and first and foremost, to God.
We must also act in kindness to others and live a life that is marked by doing good. This also speaks to living peacefully. If we are living by the golden rule (Love God with all your being and love others as yourself), then we should be living good anyway. Our good living is an extension of our heart, and if we are slanderous, then there is something wrong at the heart level.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Earlier in this life we were foolish, disobedient and thus deceived by the evil around us. We were enslaved by the passions that brewed from the abyss of this world, and we lived in the grip of those things for so long. In that it was natural to exude malice, to be envious and hating. In other words, we were brought up in the bosom of a world opposed to God.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
But what did God do for you? He took you out of the grip of the world and showed you another way. Through Hid kindness and love He saved us. He was merciful. He was loving. And through this rebirth, in understand who Jesus is and what His sacrifice means, He captured us again for Himself. We were justified by grace, so that we may have eternal life.
Those who trust in God must devote themselves to doing good. Because the work of following Jesus, learning who He is and how we can live in Him, is an excellent and profitable way to live.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Paul gives us one final warning: he says to avoid foolish controversies. Why? Because these arguments and quarrels (about the law) are worthless. What this means is that sometimes we can get bogged down in the minutia of “religious practices.” As Christians, if we are arguing the finer points of how to do things, instead of why we do things, it becomes a quagmire of opinion and speculation. Our eyes should always be on the far-reaching goal: of winning others for Christ and improving our own relationship with God. Derisive people, who continually stir up trouble, should be warned. If they do not want to change their ways, then they need to be turned loose. Nothing should get in the way of our relationship.
Final Remarks
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.