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Titus 3

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Respect for Authority and Good Conduct 1–8

1
Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, ​
2
to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.
3
For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. ​
4
But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,
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not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ​
6
which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7
that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ​
8
Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: ​

Dealing with Division and Heresy 9–11

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but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ​
10
A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; ​
11
knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. ​

Final Instructions and Greetings 12–15

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When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter. ​
13
Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. ​
14
And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. ​
15
All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all.

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Titus 3

Verse 1

principalities and powers — Arche (rule) and exousia (authority) name civil rulers; 'obey magistrates' is peitharcheo, to be persuaded by a ruler. The same duty stands in Rom 13:1 and 1 Pet 2:13, and it ends in 'ready to every good work', the theme of vv.8, 14.

Verse 3

we ourselves also were sometimes foolish — Anoetos, without understanding; 'sometimes' is pote, at some time. 'Serving' is douleuo, to be a slave to 'divers lusts and pleasures'. Paul counts himself in the list; compare 'such were some of you' (1 Cor 6:11).

Verse 5

washing of regeneration — Loutron, a bath, and palingenesia, new birth, joined with anakainosis, 'renewing' by the Holy Ghost. Salvation is 'according to his mercy' (eleos), 'not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace' (2 Tim 1:9). Compare 'ye are washed' (1 Cor 6:11).

Verse 7

being justified by his grace — Dikaioo, to declare righteous, 'freely by his grace' (Rom 3:24). The result is inheritance: 'heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ' (Rom 8:17). The heirs hold 'the hope of eternal life', the hope of Titus 1:2, 'which God, that cannot lie, promised'.

Verse 8

a faithful saying — Pistos, trustworthy; it looks back to vv.4–7. 'Affirm constantly' is diabebaioomai, to insist firmly. 'Maintain' is proistemi, to stand before, hence to practise; the same verb recurs in v.14. Believers are to 'be careful' (phrontizo) about good works.

Verse 9

avoid foolish questions — Periistemi, to keep away from; moros is foolish, zetesis a dispute. 'Strivings about the law' use nomikos, the word for 'lawyer' in v.13. Compare 'foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes' (2 Tim 2:23) and 'Jewish fables' (Titus 1:14).

Verse 10

an heretick — Hairetikos, a factious, party-making man. 'Admonition' is nouthesia, mild warning, and 'reject' is paraiteomai, to decline or shun. Warning comes first, twice, a measure like Matt 18:15–17, where the brother is told privately, then before witnesses, then the church.

Verse 11

condemned of himself — Autokatakritos, self-condemned. 'Subverted' is ekstrepho, turned out of the right way. After two admonitions (v.10), continuing in the error is a sin committed knowingly, so the sentence is his own.

Verse 12

Artemas… Tychicus… Nicopolis — Tychicus went with Paul into Asia (Acts 20:4) and was sent to Ephesus (2 Tim 4:12). Nicopolis means victorious city. 'Be diligent' is spoudazo; Paul's plan 'to winter' (paracheimazo) there echoes 'winter with you' (1 Cor 16:6).

Verse 13

Zenas the lawyer — Nomikos, an expert in the law, the word behind 'about the law' in v.9. 'Bring… on their journey' is propempo, to escort and equip, as in 3 John 1:6. Apollos was 'an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures' (Acts 18:24).

Verse 14

let ours also learn — Manthano, to learn. 'Maintain' is the verb of v.8, proistemi. 'Necessary' is anankaios and 'uses' is chreia, need, such as the journey supplies of v.13. 'Unfruitful' is akarpos; compare 'being fruitful in every good work' (Col 1:10).