Titus 3

October 4  

Reading: Titus 3 

¹ Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.    

⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.    

⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.    

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.    

¹² When 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.    

¹³ Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.    

¹⁴ And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.    

¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. 

Just as Paul has been instructing Titus to teach people to be self-controlled, peaceful, and God-honoring in the church, so now he applies this teaching to politics. Titus 3:1-3 echoes the teaching of Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17. It is disturbing to some that nowhere in the Scriptures does God prescribe political activism. 

The words that we read in verses 1-3 are especially applicable in our day of over-the-top political polemics and arguing against those with opposing views. People say the most combative, inflammatory things to one another online and in the popular media. We call one another names. We insult one another. We employ all sorts of insensitive ad hominem attacks. Our society is the opposite of verse 2 and much like verse 3. 

In contrast to all this, we are called to live out the gospel (vss. 4-7) right in front of everyone. We must be careful not to destroy this gospel presentation with arguing and fighting about politics, family, money, church, or whatever else people fight over. We must be good and loving because God is good and loving. 

All this so that we would be “careful to devote [ourselves] to good works, which are excellent and profitable for people.” (vs. 8) A right understanding of salvation leads to good works. A legalistic understanding of salvation leads to foolish arguing and divisiveness. (vss. 9-11)