TITUS
Chapter Three
(vs 1) "put them" -- Those who had obeyed the gospel.
"to be in subjection" -- Though the rulers (Caesar) were very
cruel, God's children were to be subject to them. The
one exception being when the ruler required something
that was contrary to the law(s) of God. Acts 4:19-20.
Acts 5:29. Rom. 13:1-7. 1 Pet. 2:13-16.
"every good work" -- God's people should always be ready to
do that which is good. Rom. 13:3. Phil. 4:4-8.
(vs 2) "speak evil of no man" -- control your tongue. It becomes
very difficult not to speak out against an evil ruler.
NOTE: "evil" -- "to heap curses upon, to blaspheme"
"not contentious" -- full of strife. quick to point out an
error.
"to be gentle" -- kind hearted; ready to yield personal
advantages.
"meekness toward all men" -- humility. Meekness is not
cowardliness.
(vs 3) "we" -- Paul includes himself. Jew or/and Gentile.
"foolish" -- Anyone who leaves God out of their life is a
fool, building their life upon the sand.
"disobedient" -- lawbreakers. serving sin.
"deceived" -- led astray. Accepting lies rather than truth.
"serving divers lusts" -- Living after the flesh. No better
than the animals, who live to satisfy passions of the
flesh. "Serving" -- slave to passions.
"living in malice and envy" -- "Malice" is a desire for evil
directed toward another person. Wishing misfortunes to
come upon the other person. Perhaps "malice" is
brought on by "envy."
"hateful" -- despising. Detestable. How easy it would be to
hate an evil ruler. But, the Christian cannot harbor
hatred or ill feelings towards any.
"hating one another" -- One who displays hatred will
themselves be hated.
(vs 4) "kindness....love" -- Even when mankind was lost in sin, God
appeared upon the scene, expressing His kindness and
His love. There was nothing loveable about us, but the
love of God expressed itself on Calvary. Our God is a
God of loving kindness.
"appeared" -- became known.
(vs 5) "not by works..." -- We did not bring about our salvation by
something we ourselves did. Jehovah was not obligated
to save us because of our own "righteousness."
"but according to his mercy" -- Rom. 5:8-11. Our salvation
is wholly based on the mercy of God through the.....
"washing of regeneration" -- To be regenerated is to be born
again. Jesus spoke of the new birth in John 3:5, where
He said, "born of water and of the spirit." It is in
baptism that one receives the benefits of the death
and resurrection of Christ. Rom. 6:3-11. Saul was told
"arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." Acts
22:16.
"renewing of the Holy Spirit" -- The Holy Spirit was given to
the apostles to guide them into all truth. Part of
that truth was that man might be brought back to God
by obedience to the gospel, by being born again. When
man accepts this truth, our spirits are "renewed" and
we are transformed into His likeness.
(vs 6) "poured out upon us..." -- The apostles, and later, Paul, had
received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They, in
turn, through the laying on of their hands, bestowed
certain gifts upon these early Christians.
"through Jesus" -- Jn 14;16; Jn.16:13.
(vs 7) "justified" -- cleansed, made right before Jehovah.
"by his grace" -- (Titus 2:11). unmerited favor.
NOTE: Not by grace only. Grace has provided the remedy
for sin, but man must accept God's provisions; obey His
commandments.
"made heirs" -- As part of God's family, we will receive the
blessing of "eternal life," which is promised to those
who love and obey Him.
(vs 8) "Faithful is the saying" -- that just stated can be depended
upon, it comes from God.
"affirm" -- Titus, you have the responsibility to teach these
things.
"they who believe" -- those who have obeyed.
"maintain good works" -- Eph. 2:10. God's people need to be
busy, doing "good works," living a life that reflects the
goodness and love of God.
"profitable unto men" -- All men would benefit from the
truths which Paul is discussing. God's grace is available
to all mankind. What Jesus did for one He has done for
all. But, all mankind will not accept it.
(vs 9) Paul now discusses the negative side; some things not to do,
as indicated by the warning...
"shun foolish questions and geneaologies" -- The Jews were
especially involved in "geneaologies," seeking to trace
their ancestry back to Abraham.
"strifes, and fightings about the law" -- Judiazing teachers
were seeking to bind parts of the Old Law upon these new
converts.
"unprofitable and vain" -- Avoid wranglings about foolish and
unprofitable questions that gender strife. "Vain"--empty.
(vs 10) "factious man" -- one who creates strife and divisions. One
who teaches something contrary to the Word of God.
"first and second..." -- Seek to correct his false teaching.
If unable to convince him of his error, he is to be
rejected; "refused."
(vs 11) "such a one" -- A false teacher must be exposed.
"perverted" -- What a serious charge! Yet, that is the danger
of teaching something not founded upon God's word. The
false teacher has refused a "first" and "second"
admonition; thus brings "condemnation" upon "himself,"
because
"he sinneth" -- What an awful conclusion.
(vs 12) "Artemas" -- not mentioned elsewhere. Most likely doing the
same work as Tychicus.
"Tychicus" -- Mentioned in several places as a messenger of
the churches in carrying the contribution to the
church in Jerusalem and a worker with Paul. Acts 20:4;
Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12.
"Nicopolis" -- Probably located on the southeast coast of
Greece. Paul picked the location to spend the winter.
(vs 13) "Zenas, the lawyer" -- Most likely a Jewish lawyer before he
became a Christian. The lawyers were a group
knowledgable in the Mosaic law, who taught it to the
people.
"Apollos" -- A co-worker with Paul. Mentioned often: Acts 18:
24, 1 Cor. 16:12. These men evidently were faithful
workers, worthy of support and aid.
(vs 14) "our people" -- God's children.
"good works" -- How often the apostle encourages the brethren
to maintain good works. Titus 1:16; 2:7; 3;14, etc.
This admonition most likely involves providing
physical needs for those who are traveling about
proclaiming the gospel. See that there be "nothing
wanting unto them" (vs 13).
(vs 15) "all that are with me" -- Paul did not name them; most likely
Titus knew who they were.
"them that love us" -- A fond affection between brethren.
"Grace..." -- Paul constantly prays for the brethren.
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