Titus, verse-by-verse

Session 6 | Titus 3:8-15

Titus 3:8-11 | Good Works of a Believer

• Verse 8 -- Blue

  • Paul concludes with a faithful saying“saying," but rather that he has an important word. Paul alone uses this phrase, found also in 1 Timothy 1:15, 4:9, and 2 Timothy 2:11.

    
    Paul gives a second verbal emphasis to the statement when he asks Titus to affirm constantly his instruction.
    The saying is simple: believers in God should be careful to maintain good works. Paul uses a broad brush with believe in God“gracious." It is not given in the form of a command or requirement, simply a strong affirmation.

  • The reason is also simple: these things are good and profitable unto men. There is not reward toward the individual, no assurance of salvation, no spiritual blessing. Rather, as people who believe in God we should desire that which is good and profitable to men.

    
    

• Verse 9 -- Blue

  • Just as Timothy was given instruction to shun profane and vain babblings (2 Tim. 2:16), Titus is instructed to avoid foolish questions. While Paul does not define a foolish question, it would likely be one that is agenda-driven rather than information-driven“fool's errand."

  • Titus is also told to avoid genealogies“counting of the pedigree" and some kind of value placed on family lineage. This aligns with what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:23.

    
    While Paul tells Titus the same thing as Timothy in the previous instructions, he gives no word to Timothy about contentions, and strivings about the law. Since Timothy was Jewish, such strivings may be in order, at times. For Titus, however, such activity would be unprofitable and vain.
    

• Verse 10 -- Blue

  • The word heretick [using a Middle English spelling, modern spelling is *heretic*αἱρετικός [hairetikos]. The noun form is used in Acts 5:17, where it is translated sect. Here it is definitely referring to one who is teaching doctrine which has been rejected.

    
    In this case, it is the heretic himself that is to be rejected. However, this is not to happen until after the first and second admonition. The word admonition is νουθεσία [nouthesia], a compound word meaning to put the thinking in order. We get the term nouthetic counseling from this Greek word.

  • This brings up a practical matter that is especially pertinent in the internet age. What should be done for heretics who are known and are too distant or inaccessible to give any kind of admonition? Surely Paul would have us to reject their teaching and skip this sometimes-impossible“heresy hunter" pseudo-industry would likely not be commendable with Paul.

    
    

• Verse 11 -- Blue

  • The heretic that refuses to be corrected is described with three terms:

    • Subverted - the Greek is only used here but involves a twisting and turning of the issues.

    • Sinneth - If one is twisting Scripture,* *then he is committing sin.

    • Condemned of himself“self-condemned."

      
      Knowing that he is such, why would a person not reject a heretic?
      

      Titus 3:12-15 | Paul's Closing Remarks

      
      

• Verse 12 -- Black

  • Other than this verse, Artemas is unknown. Tychicus is mentioned in Acts 20:4, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, and 2 Timothy 4:12, as a faithful fellow-laborer. Paul intends to send one or the other to Crete, possibly to serve in Titus' place as Titus goes to Nicopolis to join Paul.

  • Two items of interest. Clearly at the writing of this epistle, which most put as the last of Paul's writings, written in the 65-67 AD range, Paul is free to travel unhindered. Our knowledge of Paul's eventual death is shrouded in mystery.

  • Second, the Nicopolis mentioned here is also a bit of a mystery. The most famous Nicopolis“It was written to Titus ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia." The postscripts to the epistles are not part of the original text and are not included in most King James Bibles today. We are uncertain as to whether there was a Nicopolis of Macedonia. The Companion Bible “It is uncertain which of the cities bearing this name is here referred to."

    
    

• Verse 13 -- Black

  • When Titus eventually goes to Nicopolis, he is to bring Zenas and Apollos, apparently providing for them on the journey. We do not know of Zenas other than this passage. Apollos is presumably the evangelist who was mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24) and yet unaware of the Pauline mystery until Aquila and Priscilla expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26).

    
    

• Verse 14 -- Blue

  • Having spoken of providing for the needs of Zenas and Apollos, Paul takes a brief diversion to talk about a Christian and his good works. The works here appear, by context, to be related to occupation rather than deeds of righteousness, though the grammar does not demand such.

  • The instruction is directed simply to ours. We presume“our people." Since we are of Paul, then this verse applies to us directly.

    
    As believers saved by grace, we should maintain good works“Or, profess honest trades“honest trades" should be for necessary uses. It appears that Paul wants believers to be useful to society, providing a service that meets a need, and then use the fruit from such service to provide fruitfully for needs such as Zenas and Apollos would have in their travels. While the grammar could be taken more broadly toward good works in general, the context certainly lends itself to referring to good careers for the sake of financially funding ministry.
    

• Verse 15 -- Black

• As Paul concludes, he sends salutations from All that are with me, though we are not told who they are.