*Titus 3:1-11
Paul instructs Titus to remind believers to be responsible citizens, live morally upright lives, and show grace to others, for they themselves were once undeserving of God’s love.
- Submission to Authority:
- Paul instructs Titus to remind the believers in Crete to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.
- They are to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
- Remembrance of Past State:
- Paul reminds the Cretans that they themselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing their days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
- However, when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved them, not because of works done by them in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on them richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
- They have been justified by his grace and have become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Avoiding Controversies:
- Paul advises Titus to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.
- He warns against foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
- Anyone who stirs up division, after warning them once and then twice, is to be avoided, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.