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By: Rich Puckett

As with most of my studies, my comments are in red. The blue is from Matthew Henrys and Believers Study Bible commentary.

Titus 3: (v. 1-7) Obedience to magistrates, and becoming behaviour towards all, are enforced from what believers were before conversion, and what they are made, through Christ.

(v. 8-11) Good works to be done, and useless disputes avoided.

(v. 12-15) Directions and exhortations.

Obedience to magistrates, and becoming behaviour towards all, are enforced from what believers were before conversion, and what they are made, through Christ

We must not use the freedom give us by Jesus to break the laws of our land. The only exception to this is if the laws would be contrary to the will of God in your life. For example if a law was passed saying you had to pray to an earthly leader. Or say a law was passed said you could not worship God. Yet today many take their brothers to court, sue the church, break many laws that have nothing to do with Gods will for man. In so doing you set a poor example and disobey the word of God which commands you to obey the laws of the land.

(vv. 1,2) Note that Paul deals with three major spheres of Christian responsibility in Titus: (1) Christian leaders (1:5-16); (2) personal relationships (2:1-10); and (3) society and culture (3:1, 2).

Titus 3:1: Verses 1-7. Spiritual privileges do not make void or weaken, but confirm civil duties. Mere good words and good meanings are not enough without good works. They were not to be quarrelsome, but to show meekness on all occasions, not toward friends only, but to all men, though with wisdom, James 3:13. And let this text teach us how wrong it is for a Christian to be churlish to the worst, weakest, and most abject. The servants of sin have many masters, their lusts hurry them different ways; pride commands one thing, covetousness another. Thus they are hateful, deserving to be hated. It is the misery of sinners, that they hate one another; and it is the duty and happiness of saints to love one another. And we are delivered out of our miserable condition, only by the mercy and free grace of God, the merit and sufferings of Christ, and the working of his Spirit. God the Father is God our Saviour. He is the fountain from which the Holy Spirit flows, to teach, regenerate, and save his fallen creatures; and this blessing comes to mankind through Christ. The spring and rise of it, is the kindness and love of God to man. Love and grace have, through the Spirit, great power to change and turn the heart to God. Works must be in the saved, but are not among the causes of their salvation. A new principle of grace and holiness is wrought, which sways, and governs, and makes the man a new creature. Most pretend they would have heaven at last, yet they care not for holiness now; they would have the end without the beginning. Here is the outward sign and seal thereof in baptism, called therefore the washing of regeneration. The work is inward and spiritual; this is outwardly signified and sealed in this ordinance. Slight not this outward sign and seal; yet rest not in the outward washing, but look to the answer of a good conscience, without which the outward washing will avail nothing. The worker therein is the Spirit of God; it is the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Through him we mortify sin, perform duty, walk in God's ways; all the working of the Divine life in us, and the fruits of righteousness without, are through this blessed and holy Spirit. The Spirit and his saving gifts and graces, come through Christ, as a Saviour, whose undertaking and work are to bring to grace and glory. Justification, in the gospel sense, is the free forgiveness of a sinner; accepting him as righteous through the righteousness of Christ received by faith. God, in justifying a sinner in the way of the gospel, is gracious to him, yet just to himself and his law. As forgiveness is through a perfect righteousness, and satisfaction is made to justice by Christ, it cannot be merited by the sinner himself. Eternal life is set before us in the promise; the Spirit works faith in us, and hope of that life; faith and hope bring it near, and fill with joy in expectation of it.

To not talk about others in a evil way, not to be mixed up in fighting, but to be gentle and showing our ability to put others first is what we are taught to do. If you will ever grow in the Lord then you will learn to practice these things in your lives.

The vivid description of life outside of Christ focuses on the tragedy of being lost. The word "disobedient" is apeitheis (Gk.), literally meaning one who refuses to be persuaded. Men do not avoid Christ because of insufficient facts but because of proud and unrepentant hearts. The term "hateful" (stugetos, Gk.) is derived from the Styx River by which the gods took oaths, subject to the loss of their ambrosia and nectar. Consequently, the river, which is natively good, becomes hateful and despised, exactly as do even the best things in life for those who are lost.

The ineffectiveness of human works for attaining salvation is nowhere better seen than here. God's mercy saves us, employing the agencies of regeneration and renewal. "Regeneration" means "becoming again." Here the concept has to do with personal regeneration. At the moment a man exercises repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, he is born anew (cf. John 3:3). The Holy Spirit makes him a new creation (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). Matthew 19:28 speaks of cosmic regeneration, the renewal of the earth during the millennial reign of Christ.

Good works to be done, and useless disputes avoided

Though often argued by some that want to justify sin that Paul taught only faith. This is twisting his word, he taught salvation, being the forgiveness of sin came only by faith, yet he taught once your sins were forgiven. Sins removed from your life that Godly works, the good fruits of the Spirit would be evident in you life. At no time does he make an argument that any amount of sin will make it to heaven in our lives, but spends more time on holiness and perfection (heart right with God) then other single writer. Many like to pull a verse or two out of the way its being taught to seemly make their ideal the right one. You must take the entire bible together to learn truth.

Titus 3:8: Verses 8-11. When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

This is a warning to us about those that would trick you and get you dug in to some contention over the law or even the Bible. Unless you are very rooted and strong in both the word and faith its far better to walk away.

You have no need to prove you faith in God. Yet is very important to be ready to testify of the hope with in you. This is much different from getting in to arguments of no avail.

vv. 9-11) Paul admonishes Titus: (1) to avoid dissension (v. 9) and divisiveness (v. 10), and (2) to exercise discipline when necessary (vv. 10, 11). Paul's instruction here concerning discipline is consistent with other guidelines in the N.T. (cf. Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 13:1-3).

heretick—actually, "a man causing factions." Factions occurred when an individual did and taught what he chose, independent of the teaching and practice of the church. This was happening in Crete (3:9). after the first and second admonition reject—avoid. The believers should not engage in normal conversation with such people or try to correct them; rather, they should avoid them.

Beware oh teacher and preacher and leaders that would twist Gods word for you own end. Not only do you mislead others but you two become lost.

Directions and exhortations

Titus 3:12: Verses 12-15. Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its professors must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well as keeping away from evil. Let "ours" follow some honest labour and employment, to provide for themselves and their families. Christianity obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and therein to abide with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard and fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with the fruits and effects thereof, according to need; and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your souls. This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection to them, and desire for their good, and would be a means of obtaining for them, and bringing down on them, the thing requested. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and prayed for, with respect to ourselves or others; it is "all good."