Titus Chapter 3:8-15/Commentary

Titus Chapter 3:8-15 Titus 3:8-15 “This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. 12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15All who are with me greet you.

Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all” 3:8 “This is a trustworthy statement”: “Worthy of trust, that can be relied on” (Thayer p. 514). “Trustworthy, dependable” (1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11). “The motivation from the connection between doctrine and conduct. Paul proceeds to draw a lesson from this lofty doctrinal passage by pointing out the relation between doctrine and conduct. He evaluates these truths as reliable and fully trustworthy. With his utterance, ‘Faithful is the saying’, he expresses his complete confidence in the sublime truths stated in verses 4-7.

Therefore he urges that Titus in his teaching shall ‘affirm confidently’ these truths” (Hiebert p. 73).

3:8 “Concerning these things I want you to speak confidently”: To affirm strongly, assert confidently, insist, and speak confidently.

Compare with 1 Timothy 1:7; Titus 2:15. “On these points I would have you insist strenuously” (Wey); “And it is on these subjects that I desire you to lay special stress” (TCNT); “I want you to speak about these matters with absolute certainty” (Phi). If Titus is to preach confidently on such topics then both the preacher and his audience must be able to understand the Bible alike. In addition, the Bible must be a book of absolute truths if one is to insist upon what it reveals. “Preachers of the gospel must be no less forceful in their presentation of the truth than are the errorists in their falsehoods” (Reese p. 412). “I want”: Paul’s “I want” is urgent! “Both ‘I will’ and ‘to affirm confidently’ are present tense verb forms, indicating continuing action” (p. 412).

3:8 “So that”: In order that, to the end that. The purpose for which Titus is to speak confidently. “Those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds”: The truths stated in 3:4-7 are the right foundation for godly living. Right beliefs should lead to right living.

These people have manifested a faith in God and still do so. “If we indeed believe what God says, then we’d better be careful to engage in good deeds” (Reese p. 413). “Careful”: To be thoughtful, intent upon, concerned about, to take careful forethought. In light of what God says about good deeds, especially how such activity impacts our own salvation, we need to make sure that we are involved in these good deeds (Matthew 25:31ff; Ephesians 2:10). “Engage”: To stand before, preside, superintend, and take the lead. “Christian living is not automatic, it takes constant effort, and also it emphasizes that a good beginning is not enough. The race must be run with patience to the end” (Reese p. 413). Compare with Hebrews 12:1-2; Revelation 2:10.

“In good deeds”: Christianity brings not only a change of position, but a changed life and practice as well.

3:8 “ These things”: What has just been said. “Are good and profitable for men”: The doctrines and practices that compose Christianity are not harmful, rather they are good and profitable. They profit Christians and such things also can profit unbelievers. This verse given by the Holy Spirit contradicts the ignorance of foolish men who claim that Christianity is the cause of the world’s problems. Compare with 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “Such subjects are excellent and beneficial for all people” (Ber); “These are the things that are really good and profitable unto men” (P.P. Comm. p. 45).

3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies”: Compare with 2 Timothy 2:16,23; 1 Timothy 1:4; 6:3-4. Stand aloof from, take no part in. The reason that such controversies are foolish and need to be avoided is because they deal with issues which are nothing more than human speculation and reasoning, issues to which no definite answer can be given.

3:9 “Genealogies”: “The words mark the content and spirit of the heretical Jewish teachings rampant on Crete. They were concerned with silly questions, the filling up of the genealogies of the Old Testament, and the spinning of stories about these fictitious people” (Hiebert pp. 74-75). “In the Talmud we possess unnumbered instances of these strange and curious inquiries about which men gravely disputed and wrangled. They used the words of the Old Testament family lists in a mystic sense to establish new and hidden teachings, which became the subject for doctrinal discussions. The Dead Sea Scrolls, especially the Temple Scroll and the manuscripts found in Cave 4, show that such controversies were rampant both in the century before and the century after the coming of Jesus to earth” (Reese pp.

415-416).

The Holy Spirit is not forbidding the honest study of the genealogies in the Bible, for various genealogies are given to prove a point, such as the fact that Jesus is indeed the son of David and Abraham (Matthew 1 and

Luke 3). Rather, God is condemning the perverted use of such genealogies.

3:9 “Strife”: Contention, wrangling, the result of arguing over such human opinions (1 Timothy 1:4; 6:4). Christians are to contend for the faith (Jude 3), but they are not to get into quarrels over human opinion or religious tradition. This may also indicate that those who pushed such opinions had a contentious spirit to begin with. “And disputes about the Law”: This seems to suggest that these troublemakers were from a Jewish background. Christians need to study the Law of Moses and learn from it (Romans 15:4), but this verse is talking about people who were perverting the Old Testament and drawing unwarranted speculations. Disputes about the Law does not include such things as to whether the Christian is still under the Law of Moses, for Paul entered into that dispute himself (Acts 15:1-2).

3:9 “For they are unprofitable and worthless”: This further indicates that these controversies dealt with matters of human speculation, for every truth and passage in the Old and New Testament is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). We need to make sure that we do not misuse this passage and seek to teach that a Christian should never be involved in controversy or controversial issues, for Jesus and the apostles both entered into controversies when God’s truth was on the line (Galatians 2:1ff; Matthew 22). By contrast the issues being discussed in this verse are not useful, serviceable, and they do not lead to a better understanding of the truth. At this point the Holy Spirit moves from the opinions of men to the type of man who would push them.

3:10 “Reject”: To shun, avoid, decline, dismiss, drive out. Compare with Matthew 18:17; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15. “All further attention is to be withdrawn from him, leaving him to himself” (Hiebert p. 75). If this man were a member of the church it would seem

that such a command would involve church discipline. Titus need not make more than two attempts to correct this man’s errors.

3:10 “A factious man”: The Greek term here is hairetikos from whence come the English words heretic and heresy. Primarily the word denotes an opinion, thus pushing an opinion to the point of division and creating a sect based on that opinion. See 1 Corinthians 11:19; Galatians 5:20; 2 Peter 2:1. Please note that this is a case where a man is pushing opinion and not the truth. Jesus noted that preaching the truth would cause division (Matthew 10:34-36). “A person who is quarrelsome and stirs up factions through erroneous opinions” (Hiebert p. 75). This verse also confirms that the controversial issues in the previous verse are not matters of truth or doctrine but rather the pushing of human opinions and speculations. This is certainly a person who is self-willed because they are willing to push an opinion to the point of dividing the church and leading people astray.

3:10 “After a first and second warning”: The term “warning” means exhortation, a putting in mind, which would include encouragement, reproof, rebuke, and instruction. The purpose of such warnings is to encourage this man to give up and abandon his error. “Two sessions with the factious man will likely show whether further remonstrance will be a waste of time, and to spend more time with the offender is merely giving the offender undeserved publicity” (Reese p. 417).

Compare with Matthew 7:6. From verse 11 it is clear that the warning in this verse is not simply to encourage the man to keep such opinions to himself, but rather the warning it to admonish the man to give up such errors, for this man is condemned in this present condition! Let us remember that pushing human opinions is an addition to Scripture which God takes very seriously (2 John 9; Revelation 22:18-19).

3:11 “Knowing”: This is what we need to recognize about such a person. His error is not harmless! Some might be tempted to think that the action in 3:10 is too harsh, but it isn’t.

3:11 “That such a man is perverted”: A factious man that refuses to repent, which means abandoning his errors, is perverted. The term “perverted” means, “to turn inside out, to change for the worse, corrupt” (Thayer p. 199). He is twisted in his thinking. “The tense of the verb (perfect passive) indicates that he is in a state of being twisted, turned out of the right way. His refusal to heed the admonition shows that his is not so much an error of the mind as of the heart” (Hiebert p.

76). Therefore, false doctrine can never be accurately renamed “another point of view” or a “different way of looking at things”, rather error happens when people become twisted in their thinking (2 Peter 3:16ff). Thus the idea of an honest person persisting in error is incorrect. One can be mistaken and honest, but when further instruction is given an honest man will correct his mistakes and abandon his misconceptions (Acts 18:24-28). But the man or woman who persists in error, even after being admonished, no longer has the moral right to claim that their intentions are sincere.

3:11 “And is sinning”: Here is one of those passages in which one is actually living in a sin. The tense is present indicative, thus the idea of habitually sinning. He goes on sinning, because he refuses to abandon his errors. A refusal to accept the admonition is a choice to remain in sin. Thus those who refuse to abandon error are sinning. We need to apply this passage to the denominations and liberal churches. These churches and religious bodies exist only because they have united around human doctrines. Is such a practice factious? Yes! It is a direct violation of Scripture (John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10). Are they sinning by persisting in this division? Yes! Can we view them as saved?

No.

3:11 “Being self-condemned”: “He is sinning and he knows it” (Mof).

The use of the word “sinning” infers that of course God views this man as condemned. Yet God wanted us to see something else by the use of the word “self-condemned”: 1. By rejecting two chances to change he has certainly sealed his own fate, he has no one to blame other than himself for his lost condition (Acts 13:46). 2. He is no longer ignorant, for his error has been exposed, thus he is now willfully sinning against God’s truth. 3. By his actions he condemning himself.

Personal Concerns 3:12 “When I send Artemas”: (AR teh mas) or (AR the mis). Of this Christian nothing more is known seeing that it is the only mention of him in the New Testament. “The main body of the epistle is now ended. The letter concludes with a few personal notes and instructions to Titus” (Reese p. 419). “Or Tychicus”: (TIKE ih kuhs). The name means “fortuitous”. This Christian was from Asia (Acts 20:4), and he has been a faithful friend, fellow worker, and messenger for Paul (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8). “To you”: Either Artemas or Tychicus will come to Crete so that Titus can come to Paul. In the final letter that Paul will write, Paul will send Tychicus to Ephesus so that Timothy can come and see him one last time (2 Timothy 4:12). Tychicus, as well as Timothy and Titus, were loyal and useful men until the end. Are we this dedicated and useful for God’s services?

3:12 “Make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis”: “Join me as quickly as possible” (TCNT). Compare with 2 Timothy 4:9,21. While we may never meet again this side of heaven that is certainly no excuse for not trying to see a person one last time! The command or exhortation to make haste is a manifestation of the love between these Christians.

“Nicopolis”: (nih COP oh lis). The name means “city of victory” and thus many cities in the first century world bore this name. Most believe

that the city mentioned here was located in northwestern Greece, located on the Adriatic Sea and about four miles north of Actium. The other cities that bore this name would scarcely have warranted Paul’s intention to spend the whole winter in the town. This location had significant commerce and fisheries. This Nicopolis had been built by Augustus Caesar to commemorate the battle of Actium, which was the great naval battle in which Augustus defeated the forces of Antony and Cleopatra.

3:12 “For I have decided”: Indicating at this time that Paul was a free man. “To spend the winter there”: Remember, in the first century world all sea travel stopped in the winter months. This may have been the winter of 67 A.D. 3:13 “Diligently”: When there is something that needs to be done, Christians need to do it in an earnest and diligent manner. The phrase “diligently help” here means to set one forward, to fit him out with all the necessary things for a journey, including, helping one with food, traveling money, companions, and means of travel (Acts 15:3; 20:38; 21:5; Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6,11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; 3 John 6).

3:13 “Zenas”: (ZEE nahs), which means “gift of Zeus”, only mentioned here in the New Testament. “The lawyer”: This may mean that he was a Jewish scribe who had been converted. Or, he may have actually been a Gentile skilled in the use of Roman law, and was still practicing his profession for it was not at odds with being a Christian. “And Apollos”: The name means, “destroyer”. In the book of Acts we learn that Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria in North Africa and was learned, eloquent, and mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). He had worked with the congregation in Corinth (18:27-28; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1:12), and this is the last reference to him in the New Testament. The factions

in Corinth evidently have seen Paul and Apollos as rivals (1 Corinthians 1:12), but Paul and Apollos did not view themselves as such.

3:13 “On their way so that nothing is lacking for them”: Both of these men were on an important mission and Titus was to see to it that they were given everything they needed in order to reach their intended destination. Preaching the gospel is serious business, souls are at stake, and God’s people need to do their utmost to see that those taking it to foreign lands have the means they need to accomplish such a task. “’Nothing lacking’ reflects the result of appropriate Christian generosity towards Christian workers” (Reese p. 422).

3:14 “Our people”: What a wonderful reminder. Preachers must always remember that they are preaching to God’s people. “Must also learn to engage in good deeds”: Notice the word “learn”. “Such helpfulness and thoughtfulness is something that a person can learn to do” (Reese p.

423). The verb tense here means that this is something that Christians can keep on learning, that is learning through practice. “Titus is to take the lead in seeing that Zenas and Apollos have all the provisions they need to continue their journey, but he is not expected to meet the needs all by himself” (Reese p. 422). “To meet pressing needs”: Indispensable needs, urgent necessities, the necessities of life. In this context the pressing need at hand was to supply Zenas and Apollos with everything they needed to finish their journey.

3:14 “So that they will not be unfruitful”: “If they do not step forward with active good works when such occasions arise, they will scarcely learn how to do other good works. Christianity which does not involve generosity and self-denial in the most ordinary ways is apt to become a barren profession” (Hiebert p. 79). Failing to respond to pressing needs is to be unfruitful (John 15:1ff). If we cannot even respond to a pressing need, then we are truly unproductive. Remember, as Christians were are designed for good works (Ephesians 2:10), and God expect us to

bear much fruit (John 15:8). Compare with 2 Peter 1:8; Luke 8:14-15; Colossians 1:10 “bearing fruit in every good work”.

The importance of being involved and active in good works is stressed in First and Second Timothy and Titus (1 Timothy 2:10; 5:10; 6:18 “rich in good works”; 2 Timothy 2:21 “prepared for every good work”; Titus 1:16; 2:7 “example of good works”; 2:14 “zealous for good works”; 3:18,14).

3:15 “All who are with me greet you”: This implies that Titus might have known who was with Paul at this time, seeing that no names are given. This would include those working with Paul and also possibily the congregation with whom Paul was working at this time. “Greet those who love us in the faith”: Note the language carefully. Love is no a vague emotion, but rather in this verse love is regulated by the faith.

The reader’s love for Paul was based on his adherence to the faith. This is not a love that is blind to truth or error. Those who loved the truth would truly appreciate Paul because he preached the truth. These are friends of the truth. “As true believers the Cretan Christians loved Paul and his associates. Their love bound them together. And this love operated in the sphere of faith. Those holding to the true faith loved Paul; the heretics did not” (Hiebert p. 79).

3:15 “Grace be with you all”: Paul could close in this manner because Titus and those with him were loyal to the faith and thus would benefit from God’s grace.