*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.
3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.