TITUS  Chapter 3

Introduction

The material in this outline was taken from the book New Testament Commentary on Titus by William Hendriksen (ISBN: 0-8010-4213-5 combined volume of 1Tim, 2Tim, Titus). If you are interested in an in-depth study of Titus, then I would encourage you to obtain William Hendriksen's commentary on Titus. He is an outstanding author from whom I have learned a great deal.

Table of Contents

Titus 3:1-2  -  Christian Obligation to Society

• Chapter 1 = Sanctification in congregational (or church) life
• Chapter 2 = Sanctification in family and individual life
• Chapter 3:1-11 = Directions for the promotion of the spirit of sanctification in public life
  • The positive part found in vs.1-8
  • The negative part found in vs.9-10

1. Titus 3:1-2
   • (v.1) "remind the people"
     • People must not forget their duty while here on earth; to be "good citizens" and "good neighbors"
   • "subject to rulers and authorities"
     • 1Tim 2:1-2 "I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made by all men for kings and authorities, that we may live peaceable lives"
     • Matt 17:24-27 [Jesus has Peter latch a fish to pay the temple tax so not to offend]
     • Matt 22:15-22 [Where Jesus says, "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, unto God what is God's]
     • Rom 13:1-7 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities ... God is ultimate authority"
       • We can sometimes get away with breaking the law in this country, but you may not live in peace. And no law breaking escapes God.
     • 1Pet 1:13-17 "... submit yourselves to every ordinance of man ... for this is the will of God ..."
   • the EXCEPTION
     • Acts 5:29 Peter and Apostles said, "we ought to obey God rather than men"
     • Should and American who breaks a Russian law while visiting Russia (let's say, "vandalism"), be punished by Russia.
       1. Yes, this is not an exception. (see: Lev 24:16, 22; Num 15:15-16, 29-30)
   • "ready for every good work"
     • This forms a bridge between the duties to government and to those they owe their neighbor
     • 2Tim 3:16-17 "Scripture is profitable ... that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work"
     • 1Pet 3:15 "be ready to give a defense of the reason for the hope within you"
   1. (v.2) "revile no one"
      • 1Tim 6:4 "ungodly man is proud ... which leads to arguments ... strife, envy, reviling, ..."
   2. "peaceable" - not even contentious or quarrelsome
      • 1Tim 3:3 "... be gently, not quarrelsome, not covetous."
   3. "genial" (1Tim 3:3 again)
      • we should not be just absent of bad vices, but have good traits
   4. "showing all mildness toward all people" (not some to some)
      • 2Tim 2:25 "... in humility correcting those in opposition ..."
   
   
   

• The reason why we must do what is stated in vs.1-2

1. Titus 3:3  -  Who we were before Christ
   • Reflection upon former condition makes it easier to be mild and kind to others
   • Notice contrast of what they were and what they are
   • 7 Virtues (v.1-2) contrasted with 7 Vices
     1. Without understanding - unable to discern the things of the Spirit (1Cor 2:14, Rom 1:21, Eph 4:8)
     2. Disobedient - both to divine and human authority (Rom 1:30)
     3. Deluded - living in a world of unreality, imagining that license is liberty
     4. Enslaved to various Passions and Pleasures - allowing these strong evil desires to dominate our life (2Tim 2:22, 3:6; James 4:1; Luke 8:14; 2Pet 2:13)
     5. Living (lit. "living a life") in (a) malice and (b) envy
        1. Malice is not mere mischief, but it is badness, perversity, wickedness, especially the evil disposition of mind; all toward another.
        2. One of the greatest manifestations of malice is envy, (Prov 14:30). It is worse than jealousy, for jealousy is afraid of losing what it has; envy hates to see another person have something
     6. Detestable - odious, fulsome, offensive, disgusting, repulsive. Only used here in N.T.
     7. Hating One Another - This is the natural result when detestable (or hateful) people are forced to live with each other and to meet with each other in a hundred different ways.
   
   
2. Titus 3:4-6  -  Who we are in Christ
   1. (v.4) "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love toward man appeared, He save us."
      • Notice double contrast
        1. Against "man's inhumanity toward man" (v.3) is portrayed "God's kindness and love"
        2. Against "the darkness of our past" (v.3) is portrayed "the light of present grace"
      • Paul writes as someone with personal experience
      • Expression: "The kindness and the love-toward-man" is one concept. The Lord's kindness is manifested from His love and not personal gain (as some earthly rulers)
      • Expression: "Love-Toward-Man" is one work in Greek which we get our word: Philanthropy
      • "God our Savior" - namely God the Father who saved us. (1Tim 1:1, 2:3; Titus 1:3, 2:10)
   2. (v.5) He save us "not by works we ourselves have performed in (a state of) righteousness [neg], but according to His mercy [pos]
      • "not by works" - the implication is: There were NO such works
      • Note: Not only are we saved "of" or "by" or "on the basis of" His mercy (all this is implied), but ACCORDING to His mercy. The "wideness of God's mercy" being the yardstick which determines the "wideness of our salvation" (Eph 1:7)
      • "through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit"
        1. washing of regeneration - The washing referred to is wholly spiritual
           (not: "through a laver or basin for washing")
           • Regeneration (born again) is the act of God by which the principle of new life is implanted in man, the "governing disposition" (position) of the soul is made holy, and the 1st holy exercise of the new disposition is secured.
             1. It is the work of the Holy Spirit
             2. It precedes and gives rise to the process of renewing. (sanctification)
             3. It effects the entire man
             4. Its a radical change (in principle) from v.3 to v.1-2
        2. Renewing (sanctification)
           • Diff. Being: Regeneration is entirely the work of God. But Renewing is man work as well as God's.
           • While regeneration is never directly perceived by man, and becomes known to him only by its effects, renewal requires the conscious and continued surrender of man's whole personality to the will of God.
   3. (v.6) "whom (namely the Spirit) He (namely God the Father) poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
      • "richly" - no one can say, "I can do nothing of God, since God has given me nothing"
      • "through Jesus Christ our Savior" - indicates that the gift of the Holy Spirit is secured through Christ's atoning sacrifice.
   
   
3. Titus 3:7  -  Where we are going with Christ
   • The purpose of the blessings is now stated: "in order that, having been justified by His grace, we might become Heirs-In-Hope of life eternal."
     • The process of reasoning in vs.3-7 is:
       1. We were children of wrath
       2. We have been made alive
       3. We now look forward by faith to greater glory
       example: we were idol worshipppers - we now serve the true and living God - we await the return of Christ and fellowship with Him.
     • "having been justified" - this does not mean having been made upright. It means having been declared righteous. (It is the opposite of condemnation) Rom 8:31-39
     • "Heirs-In-Hope" - We are now the possessors of what we have been heired. Therefore, our hope will certainly be realized (hoping heirs)
   
   
4. Titus 3:8
   • Reflecting on vs.4-7, Paul continues: "Reliable is this saying, and about these matters I want you to speak in confidence, in order that those who have their faith fixed on God may be careful to apply themselves to noble deeds."
     • These Matters:
       1. The kindness of the Father, and His love toward man
       2. The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and renewing
       3. The grace of Jesus Christ as the effective cause of our justification
       4. The purpose of "being" that we might become heirs in hope of everlasting life
   • (v.8) "these matters are excellent and beneficial for (all) people
     • Not only are these matters excellent in themselves, but they are also beneficial, useful, profitable (1Tim 4:8, 2Tim 3:16)
   
   
   

1. Titus 3:9  -  Division Defined
   • Avoid -> Foolish Disputes
     • Namely: investigations into genealogical lore
     • Precisely: contentions and strife re: the law; which need wide berth (1Tim 1:3-7, 1Tim6:3-5, 1Cor 3:1-23)
   • In truth, they are "unprofitable" and "useless" (in contrast to v.4-8)
   
   
2. Titus 3:10-11  -  Dealing with Division
   • What is the "attitude" or "action" we must have toward someone caught up in the things of v.9 within the church?
     • (v.10) warn them once and twice then have nothing to do with them
     • (v.11) for they are distorted and self condemned
   • A factious person is a person who, without justification, creates division. (over gray or no-critical issues with no important bearing)
     • The factious person described is not limited to one type, and can be guilty in both "doctrine" and/or "life".
     • Every factious person stands condemned here.
   • "have nothing to do with them" - A divisive person will be recognized for after repeated warnings, will still persist in this practice. (Matt 18:15-17)
   • "is distorted" - (not seeing straight) He is mentally and morally turned or twisted.
   • "self-condemned" - This person is in sin and knows it. If his conscience has not already spoken, he has at least been warned twice. Hence, he sins "being self-condemned."
   • Discipline must come from an attitude of love; a desire to heal (never from a desire to get rid of a person). (2Thes 3:14-15)
     • That is why there must be a 2nd warning
     • The purpose is for the reclamation of the sinner (1Tim 1:20)
       See: 1Cor 5 with 2Cor 2:5-11
     • However, this is no the only purpose. The welfare of the entire church must never be lost sight of. (Matt 12:25, Acts 5 - Ananias & Sappira)
   • Jesus said to forgive a person 70 times 7. Yet, that is assuming their is an attitude of repentance. If no repentance, then rejection may save the sinner (1Tim 1:20)
   
   
   

1. Titus 3:12  -  Don't forsake the flock
   • At this moment Paul is probably somewhere in Macedonia and not is Nicopolis. He has decided on Nicopolis as the meeting place.
     • Possible reasons for Nicopolis:
       1. It was more or less centrally located
       2. It was a good winter resort
       3. It was an excellent "base of operations" for mission activity in Dalmatia
       4. It was a good stepping stone to places further west
   • "be diligent" or "do your best"
     • Titus must do his best to meet Paul, but Crete must not be left without a good leader; conditions are too serious
     • He realizes that churches cannot stand overnight
   • "Artemas" is probably and abbreviation of Artemidorus, meaning "the gift of Artemas", the Greek goddess of hunting.
   • "Tychicus" means "fortuitous" may be connected with the Greek goddess Tyche (fortune).
     [Tychicus is also mentioned in 2Tim 4:12]
   
   
2. Titus 3:13  -  Don't forsake the body
   • "Send Zenas and Apollos on with haste"
     • Zenas and Apollos were probably bearers of the letter on their way to some other destination
   • "Zenas" is probably short for Zenodorus" meaning "the gift of Zeus"
     • "Law expert" of the law of Moses or Roman law is not known
   • "Apollos" was a Jew, native to Alexandria and very eloquent (Acts 18:24)
     • Acts 18:26 Taught more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila
     • Acts 18:27-28 Proved to be a great blessing in Achaia refuting the Jews
     • 1Cor 16:12 After this he had returned to Ephesus
     • 1Cor 3:6 Paul said "I planted. Apollos watered, God gave the increase".
     • 1Cor 1:12 "I am of Paul," "I am of Apollos," probably grieved Apollos
   • "Lacking nothing;" they are to be aided in every way so that they may continue their travels
   
   
3. Titus 3:14  -  Don't forsake good works
   • Titus is to allow the Cretans to help out Zenas and Apollos with things mentioned in v.13
   • That is: To cooperate wholeheartedly in the areas of generosity so that they should "become experienced" in doing good. (1Tim 5:4, Phil 4:10-11)
   • They are to learn to apply themselves to good (noble) deeds in order that "they may not be unfruitful." (Matt 13:3-9, Matt 7:16-20, John 15:8, Gal 5:22-23)
   • Grace is the "root", good deeds are the "fruit" (Eph 2:8-10)
   
   
4. Titus 3:15  -  Farwell
   • Farwell consists of 3 parts:
     1. "All those with me send greetings"
        • All fellow workers of Paul send greetings to Titus (2Ti 4:21)
     2. "Greet those who love us in the faith"
        • Titus is asked to convey Paul's greeting to his companions and fellow Christians throughout the area
     3. "Grace (be) with you all"
        • To all who hear (read) this letter, "God's favor for those who don't deserve it," is pronounced.
        • It is to dwell in their midst.
   
   

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