TITUS 3:9-15 - SOME FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

TITUS 3:9-15

SOME FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Susie: Paul addressed senseless arguing with Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:4. Here, he makes the same point with Titus. Genealogies were not those found in the Bible but long lists of ancestors the Judaizers used to prove one was descended from Abraham.

Susan: It was not being physically descended from Abraham, nor was it physical circumcision as a Jew that saved people. It is the circumcision of the heart done by God as He draws those who will believe to follow Jesus.

Susie: Paul’s main point is that debating nit-picky points of the Law or one’s heritage was not profitable—it did not benefit those arguing or others who might be listening. These people were trying to in many ways put the power for salvation in the hands of the sinner rather than in Christ alone.

Susan: We cannot express this truth better than John MacArthur:

MacArthur Study Bible note on Titus 3:9

Proclaiming the truth, not arguing error, is the biblical way to evangelize.

Titus 3:10-11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Susie: Some translations call this person “divisive” rather than “heretic.” If a person is teaching falsely, refusing to submit to authority, self-willed, and causing divisions among the members, he or she is subject to being expelled from the congregation. Paul reminds Titus to follow the principles laid out by Jesus as found in Matthew 18 which involves confronting the person twice before rejecting them. This may seem harsh, but this person has brought this consequence on himself or herself by not sticking to the truth of God’s word and listening to the leaders who are admonishing them to change. By teaching a works salvation rather than salvation by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone, they were committing great sin.

Titus 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Susie: Artemas is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible, but he must have been a trusted companion of Paul since he was sending him along with Tychicus, Paul’s dear friend and sometimes courier, to Titus.

Susan: Paul planned to spend the winter Nicopolis and invited Titus to do his best to join him there. Several cities were named Nicopolis because it meant “city of victory” but this one was most likely in southern Greece. Maybe Paul was cold natured and needed to be in a place with mild winters.

Titus 3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Susie: Zenas who was an expert in either Jewish or Roman law and Apollos who was a gifted teacher discipled by Priscilla and Aquila were probably the couriers who brought this letter to Titus. Paul asked him to show Christian hospitality by helping them with provisions for the rest of their journey.

Titus 3:14 And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Susan: Christians should demonstrate a responsible work ethic in order to meet their own needs and have something left over to share with neighbors when a legitimate need arises.

Susie: We should all be contributing members of the community of faith. Also, when good works are done among and for non-believers, it is a witness to God’s provision for his own and His work in each of us.

Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality

Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Susan: As usual, Paul had an entourage of co-laborers with him who sent greetings to Titus. Paul sent his love to the congregations in Crete.

Susie: Paul ended his letter with his signature blessing “Grace be with you all.” Paul, more than many people, knew the necessity of God’s divine intervention in one’s life to fulfill all the instructions he had just written to Titus. We are saved by grace and need to walk daily in the grace bestowed on us by Jesus.

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

QUESTIONS

1.       What was the problem with disputing genealogies? What ancestor were they trying to prove and why?

2.       Does arguing over error help to propagate the Gospel, to lead people to Jesus?

3.       How was Titus to deal with divisive, false teachers?

4.       What type of good works was Paul encouraging in verse four?

5.       What did Paul always pray in closing for the recipients of his letters?