Titus

1Chapter

Greeting

1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications for Elders

5This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
2Chapter

Teach Sound Doctrine

1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
3Chapter

Be Ready for Every Good Work

1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3For 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. 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he 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, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8The 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. 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Greetings

12When 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. 13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Study
Chapter 3
CSB

TWISTED SCRIPTURE

Titus 3:5

The “washing of regeneration” in this verse is often thought to imply that baptism qualifies a person for heaven. The immediate context shows that Paul was explaining the importance of good works in the life of a Christian. He began in verses 1-2 by showing how Christians should not fight but should be kind and gentle. In verses 4-5, he said believers are saved “not by works of righteousness . . . but according to his mercy.” He adds in verse 7 that they have “been justified by his grace,” which contradicts the idea that baptism is a work that saves us. The apostle Peter said that the water does not cleanse a person from sin but is a “pledge of a good conscience toward God” (1Pt 3:21). Baptism, then, is a public testimony of the spiritual cleansing that takes place through faith in Jesus (Ac 16:31; Rm 10:9-10; Eph 2:8-10). Every Christian should get baptized since it is commanded, but baptism does not justify us before God.

ESV

Proper Living, Particularly with Respect to Outsiders. Paul returns to describing “gospel living,” this time with reference to interaction with outsiders. In general the qualities encouraged here (vv. 1–2) are in contrast to the description of the false teachers in 1:10–16.

ESV

ready for every good work. Whereas the false teachers are “unfit for any good work” (1:16), one of the purposes of the cross is to create a people “zealous for good works” (2:14).

ESV

The list closes with a call to take the initiative to show all manner of good to all sorts of people. Perfect courtesy (Gk. prautēta) is a good translation of an often misunderstood word literally meaning “meekness/gentleness.”

ESV

Gospel Basis. As in 2:11–14, Paul explains how his exhortations to godly living (3:1–2) are based on the gospel. This gospel statement is presented in a traditional “conversion” formula—“formerly … but now”—highlighting the ethical and practical change effected by grace.

ESV

Goodness and loving kindness stand in stark contrast to the description of lost humanity in v. 3. The difference is due to the appearance of God our Savior (see note on 2 Tim. 1:8–10).

CSB

This verse is consistent with texts affirming the importance of good works. The NT uniformly teaches that although good works are not a requirement for salvation, they are an inevitable result of salvation. The same gospel that saved sinners like Paul transformed them morally and ethically (v. 3). Verse 8 further insists on the importance of good works as true faith’s necessary expression.

ESV

The transformation described in vv. 3–7 (formerly … but now) is not based on human effort. “We … were once enslaved” (v. 3) but he saved us. God must act before salvation occurs. Salvation comes not because of works but by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Some have understood this as saying that baptism (“the washing”) causes salvation. However, in this context human deeds are clearly downplayed (“not because of works”) and the emphasis is on divine action and initiative (“he saved us”). The “washing” described here is the spiritual cleansing, which is outwardly symbolized in baptism.

ESV

Summary Command. The command to insist on these things is similar to 2:15, both statements carrying a significant tone of authority. Again note the emphasis on good works as a mark of believers (see 1:16; 2:14; 3:1).

CSB

See note on 1Tm 1:4.

ESV

The Problem Restated: False Teachers. Paul returns to the problem of false teachers. Thus, the discussion of gospel living (2:1–3:8) is flanked by discussion of those who claim to believe this gospel but fail to live it out.

ESV

But. The reference to the usefulness of correct doctrine in v. 8 sets up the contrast with the worthless nature of the false teaching. As elsewhere in the letters to Timothy and Titus, the exact content of the false teaching is not clear. The point is that it is foolish, unprofitable, and worthless.

ESV

Have nothing more to do with him describes the final stage of church discipline (see also 1 Corinthians 5). A divisive person who refuses to repent and change after being confronted (see Matt. 18:15–20) shows himself to be twisted by sin (warped); thus, he is self-condemned. The NT is clear about seeking the repentance of such people, but it is equally clear that refusal to receive rebuke eventually shows that one is not in Christ and must be excluded from the Christian community.

ESV

Closing Exhortation. In typical fashion for first-century letters, Paul closes with reference to travel plans and greetings. As is also typical of Paul, even these items echo the main thrust of the letter.

ESV

do your best to come to me. Although Paul had left Titus in Crete in order to get the churches there properly established, he was not expected to stay there indefinitely. Artemas is not mentioned elsewhere in the NT. Tychicus is mentioned as an Asian who accompanied Paul on his third journey (Acts 20:4). In Eph. 6:21 and Col. 4:7 he is referred to as a “beloved brother and faithful minister” (see also 2 Tim. 4:12). Nicopolis was a port city in Epirus, on the west coast of the Greek peninsula and about 200 miles (322 km) northwest of Athens.

ESV

Speed … on their way; see that they lack nothing shows Paul’s concern for the support of fellow missionaries and thus speaks to the church’s role in supporting missions—and addressing cases of urgent need—today. Zenas is not mentioned elsewhere in the NT. Apollos is undoubtedly the popular speaker mentioned in Acts and 1 Corinthians (Acts 18:24; 19:1; 1 Cor. 3:6; etc.).

ESV

Having stressed good works throughout the letter, and having just called for assistance of fellow laborers (v. 13), Paul addresses this theme once more. This opportunity to assist Zenas and Apollos is one more example of how Christians can be involved in good works, relieving needs and furthering the gospel.

ESV

Grace be with you all. Paul’s letter, though written primarily to Titus, will be read to the entire congregation.