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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 subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, ​
2
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
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. ​
4
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
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; ​
6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ​
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. ​

Dealing with Division and Heresy 9–11

9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ​
10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; ​
11
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. ​

Final Instructions and Greetings 12–15

12
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. ​
13
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. ​
14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. ​
15
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · 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).