Titus 3:9-15

Titus 3:9-15

On the one hand, Paul tells Titus he is to confidently assert the gracious and good behavior of God's people. (v 1-8) But he also warned him not to get pulled into dumb controversies. The word controversies carried the implication of spectacular arguments. These arguments can arise from many subjects, all of which are equally useless. Self-trained and arrogant experts driven by pride carved out their own unique position and then attempted to gather a following. The word in Greek for “faction” is the root word for “heretic.” Such men are “corrupt,” a very interesting word for pervert (not in a sexual sense). By dividing the church, they are sinning, and their own behavior is condemning them. Paul commands that such men be dealt with early and decisively. After the second warning or admonition, they are to be rejected. Admonition means “to place God's word of warning in their heart”. This is the time for discussion and teaching. If they repent, this is wonderful. But if they refuse, they must be rejected; the word literally means “shunned.” This is not unlike what Paul commanded concerning the gross immorality in Corinth, except this is about teaching rather than behavior.

This correction needs to be done early rather than late. Too often the false teacher is allowed to gather a following from within the church before being confronted. As a result, the church is more apt to be split than healed. Paul commands that the cancer be removed as soon as remedial treatment is shown to be ineffective. Self-appointed armchair lawyers who were wanting to argue with Zenas may have amplified the situation at Crete. We do not know if Zenas was trained in Greek/Roman law or Jewish law. In view of his name, the former is more likely. Perhaps there was someone he wanted to see if he could take down the expert. There is no indication that Zenas took the bait. 

So we can understand the type of foolishness and controversy that was debated at this time, consider this example. One of the debates among Jewish scholars was, “Is it permissible to eat an egg that a hen laid on the Sabbath?” A person seriously asking such a question is already driven by a non-Christ-like agenda. In contrast to arguing over speculations, Paul tells the believers to be engaged in good deeds or perhaps occupations. To be winsome and excellent at work is going to be a much better witness than constantly arguing over trivia.

“Lord, help me keep the main thing the main thing. AMEN”

Titus 3:1-8

Titus 3:1-8

It would’ve been easy for the Christians on Crete to develop a superiority complex, especially in view of the Cretans’ self-identification as “liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons”. Anytime a Christian community rises above the behavior of the surrounding community, which should always be the case, we face the temptation of developing, in various ways, feelings of superiority. The inevitable result of this kind of pride is a surly disposition and a bad attitude toward others, especially those who are not part of the Church Universal, or even our congregation. Paul forbids both the behavior and the underlying pride. In Titus 3:1-2, Paul calls for Christians to express the kind of life that is radically different from our natural inclinations, especially as it relates to human interaction. It is sad to see that many Christians have become so swept up in their own political, social, ideological, or personal preferences that we are more than willing to speak evil about, fight with, be harsh toward, and be inconsiderate of those who hold a different conviction. These are the very behaviors that Paul prohibits. Paul doesn’t deny the evil of the world’s thinking. What he commands is consideration or humility toward all men, regardless.

Paul articulates why humility is our required course of action in the verses that follow. First, we all are or were, Paul includes himself, just as bad as any of the people we hold with disdain. Second, it is because of the kindness of God and not our own wisdom or goodness that our lives have been changed. God is the actor in the drama; we are the passive and helpless recipients of the cleaning up and forgiveness of the wicked mess in our lives. We are now expected to formulate the character that is consistent with our forgiven position. It is worth noting that in verses 5–6 Paul mentions all three persons of the Trinity. God saves us by the washing of regeneration, renewing us by the Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus. Note, we are not mentioned actively; we didn’t do any of it.

There is no doubt that the disciple is, or at least ought to be, in a superior position than their non-Christian neighbors in regard to behavior, but that is because God has lifted them up and placed them in that superior position. Our response to those in the inferior position is one of humble identification, not arrogant superiority. To speak ill or degradingly of any lost person or a person of a different political ideology is indicative of something deeply wrong in the heart of the disciple. What is the correct response to the wicked world? We are to be proactively engaged in good deeds that are helpful not just for the church but for all men. The witness of the superiority-minded Christian drives people away from God, while the witness of the love and good deeds of Christians draws men to Him.

“Lord, help to love humbly those who do not know You. AMEN