TITUS 3: 8-15
ENGAGE IN GOOD DEEDS
The result of the kindness, love, mercy and grace of God is hope. We draw on the riches of God in this life while looking for the blessed hope of Jesus’ return (v. 7). Those that have received these riches and hope in Jesus will live godly lives that are full of good deeds (CIT). Being engaged in good deeds we will avoid foolish controversies and divisiveness and live a fruitful life. The only evidence the unsaved world has that we belong to God is our godly lives and the deeds God does through us.
I. PROFITABLE LIVING; 8.
II. PERVERTED LIVING; 9-11.
III. PEOPLE CONCERNS; 12-15.
Verse 8 relays to us a trustworthy statement. “This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.”
Paul continues the strong motive for living the Christian life that came from reflecting on the work of Christ. Based on these doctrinal evidences and our personal experiences we can speak with confidence. The world speaks confidently about frivolous matters of no consequences. Christians must speak convincingly about that which is weighty and of utmost significance.
Paul then gives the reason he wants Titus, and us to speak boldly. The purpose clause introduces three points of instructions for true Christians or “those who have believed in God.”
The first is an emphasis upon action. Believers are to be careful to be engaged. They are to be active in life. They are to take hold of life and not simply let life take hold of them. The new life in the Spirit is discovered by those who have become participants instead of audience or spectators. A concentration of the mind is to be combine with physical and spiritual effort to bring about our engagement in life. A decision to be engaged, to be active is integral and essential to the Christian life.
The second point is the outcome of engaging our actions so that they result in good works. The inner Christian life is viewed from its visible out workings. Good works do not necessarily mean religious or church work. It is great to work at church, sing in the choir, and hold an office; but it is also good to serve our unsaved neighbors, to be helpful in the community, and to have a reputation for assisting those in need. Baby-sitting to relieve a harassed young mother is as spiritual a work as passing out a Gospel tract. The best way a local church has to witness to the lost is through the sacrificial service of its members. [Wiersbe, Warrren. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol 2. 1989. Victor Books. Wheaton IL. p. 268.]
The third consideration is that good works are profitable for men. Not only are good works excellent in themselves [which is reason enough to perform them,] but they are also beneficial, or useful for those that do them as well as those that observe them (Mt. 5:16). When motivated by love and done in the power of the Spirit, they bring life, light, joy and peace where before there was death, darkness, sadness and fear.
God has something He wants you to accomplish and that He is calling you to do. He will provide what you need to accomplish them. As Ephesians 2:10 puts it, “....join Him in the work He does, the good work He has gotten ready for us to do” [The Message]. May the Lord find us faithful (1 Cor. 4:2).
Have you found a place in God’s service where you can be used by Him? Let’s “do good” and “be rich in good works” (1 Tim. 6:18).
II. PROBLEM PEOPLE (9-11).
It seems like every church has its problem people. Here Titus is warned to avoid those who like to argue about unimportant things. Verse 9 contains a some directions concerning things we should shun. “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”
Titus is to see these foolish inquires and meaningless issues as “unprofitable and worthless.” They won’t lead to the attainment or advancement of godliness. [What a contrast between the useless nonsense and the essential matters that have been discussed.] A Christian who wants to further the gospel will not have time for such disputes.
How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Can God make a rock so big that He cann’t move it? Where did Cain get his wife? Such questions produce only endless speculation -and far more heat than light!
It is hard to believe that people spent time debating such trivial matters. After all, they really don't make much difference in what I believe and no difference in how I ought to live. We, however, sometimes get caught up in things that really are not essential. Such speculations seldom edify and often create ill will, pride, controversy, and strife.
We must learn to refocus our lives and our discussions on helping those around us to learn about Christ, living the Christ-like life, and glorifying God.
MORMONS spend multiplied millions of dollars and countless man-hours researching genealogies in order that they might baptize for the dead. That is, they believe benefits of baptism can be experienced by those who are already deceased. Cult leader Garner Ted Armstrong tried to prove through genealogies that America constitutes the lost tribes of Israel. It’s all foolishness. Stay away from these tangents. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is Jesus. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson's Application Commentary. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 1424.]
Paul admonishes both Timothy and Titus to avoid the kind of questions that serve no useful purpose, but only detract from the weightier questions and pursuits of the Christian life. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge; but idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God’s glory nor the edification of men, must be shunned.
Verse 10 commands us to reject certain kinds of individuals. “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,”
We are to ignore and avoid a factious person. The word factious or heretical (KJV) [hairetikos from haireô] means “to take for oneself” or “to choose an opinion.” It is a person who choose what to believe instead of basing belief upon the clear revelation of Scripture. A factious man is one who refuses to accept the whole counsel of God as it is clearly revealed but prefers to choose for himself what he believes. This self-willed person thinks he is right and goes from person to person forcing people to make a choice. It is a person who without justification creates division. The pastor is to warn [literally, “to put in mind”] him once then twice and then reject him. After the warning and the erring brother or sister refusal to repent and return to building the church disciplinary action is to take place (Mt. 18:15-18; 2 Jn. 10, Rom. 16:17). The reason for such strong action is given in verse 11.
Verse 11 states that the reason for rejecting a divisive person is because they are self-willed. “knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
The word subverted or perverted [ektpetô] means “to turn or twist out.” It is a medical term for distorted limbs and here describes a mentally or morally distorted person. A person who threatens the unity of the church sins grievously and knows that they do, but will not stop. Their refusal to respond tp the conviction of the Spirit means they are self-condemned.
Those who will not be reclaimed by admonitions, but are obstinate in their sins and errors, are subverted and self-condemned meaning they inflict punishment upon themselves. They throw themselves out of the church, and throw off its communion, and so are self-condemned.
[Subverted or perverted was also used as a metaphor for a building so ruined as to render it difficult if not impossible to repair and raise it up again. Those rebels who severely divide the church or its doctrines have seldom been recovered to the true faith. It is not so much defect of judgment, as perverseness of the will through pride, or ambition, or self-will, or covetousness, or corruption.]
III. PEOPLE CONCERNS, 12-15.
In the closing verses the apostle appends some personal information to Titus and reminds him of the theme of the letter. Verses 12 & 13 convey two personal items. “When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.”
Titus should prepare himself to come to Paul at Nicopolis [a city of Thrace on the borders of Macedonia or Epirus in Greece], as soon as Artemas or Tychicus arrived in Crete. They would come to assume his duties and take care of the churches there.
Titus was then to go to meet Paul. The condition in the churches was too serious for Titus to leave before a new leader arrived.
Verse13 encourages hospitality for Christian leaders. “Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.”
“Zenas and Apollos” were probably the bearers of the letter. Apollos is a well-know preacher (Acts 18:24-26) and a good friend of Paul (1 Cor. 1:12). He was a Jew and a native of Alexandria Egypt.
Titus is instructed to do everything possible to help them along on their journey. These men must be provided with food and lodging while in Crete. They must also be aided in every way so that they lack nothing and may continue on in their mission for the Lord
Verse 14 relays a closing instruction to Christians. “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”
Titus was to help these leaders but was not to attempt to do it alone. Believers are to co-operate whole heartedly to meet all their pressing needs. Christians should become experienced in well-doing and it is a noble deed to meet the needs of God’s ministers. Noble deeds are the fruit of salvation’s tree.
The letter closes in verse 15 with a final greeting. “All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”
The farewell greeting consists of three parts. The first greeting is from all with the Apostle is “all those who are with me send your greeting.” Second, Paul asks Titus to convey the greeting to those fill with Christ’s love for them.
The last word is Paul’s usual blessing, “Grace be with you all.” May God’s unmerited favor in Christ rest upon all who read and listen to this letter. May it dwell in their/our hearts and fill them/us with peace and joy! “Amen” seals the prayer, expressing belief and hope, that so it may be, and, by God’s grace, so it shall be.
CONCLUSION
Christianity is not simply doctrinal knowledge. The living out of genuine Christianity has practical and evident results. We are known by our fruits (Mt. 7: ).
These lessons in Titus have been a treasure to us today because of the vital information they provide for church leadership. It provides a strong model for pastors and other church leaders as they develop younger leadership to carry on the work. Our study has given us practical guidelines for church leadership and problem solving. The implementing of them is up to the Holy Spirit ... and us.
