The big picture
The letter to Titus, a leader caring for Christian groups, moves from household conduct to public life. Paul, the messenger giving these instructions, places mercy at the centre. Jesus Christ, the Saviour, gives people a new start they have not earned. That changes how they should treat others and spend their time. Paul warns against quarrels that produce nothing useful. He ends with travel plans and the names of fellow workers whose practical needs require help from the churches.
In this chapter
- Gentleness Toward People Outside the Church Titus 3:1-3
The believers need reminders to obey rulers and public officials.
- God Gives Life Through Mercy Titus 3:4-7
Human goodness is not the cause of this rescue.
- Useful Work Instead of Empty Quarrels Titus 3:8-11
Titus must keep affirming the message of mercy so that believers devote themselves to good work.
- Practical Help for Fellow Workers Titus 3:12-15
Paul plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus, two fellow workers, to Titus.
Central truth
Paul connects a life of useful service with the mercy through which God gives people a new beginning.
Scripture beside the summary
Titus · King James Version · 15Titus 3:1-3
Gentleness Toward People Outside the Church
The believers need reminders to obey rulers and public officials. They should be ready for good work, avoid insults and fights, and treat everyone gently. He does not set them above the people around them. Paul includes himself when he recalls their former lives. They too were foolish, disobedient, and led astray by desires and pleasures. Malice and envy filled their relationships. They hated others and were hated in turn. Remembering that past gives force to the call for humility in their dealings with all people.
In everyday life
A ferry passenger steps aside on the boarding ramp when a confused traveller blocks the queue. She explains where the ticket must be shown and keeps her voice low. Last week she was the one holding up the line. That memory checks her impatience. Paul recalls a life ruled by sin, not a brief failure to understand boarding rules.
Notice
Titus 3:3 Paul includes his own former conduct in the charge. He does not let the believers treat their past faults as though only outsiders had them.
Titus 3:1-3
King James Version1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Titus 3:4-7
God Gives Life Through Mercy
Human goodness is not the cause of this rescue. Paul says God acted because of his mercy when his kindness and love appeared. He describes a washing that gives new life and a renewal by the Holy Ghost, God at work within people. God pours out his Spirit richly through Jesus Christ. By grace, his freely given kindness, people are put right with him. They become heirs with hope of lasting life. Christians differ over how this washing relates to baptism, the use of water in entering the Christian community.
In everyday life
The relief volunteer gives a dry blanket to a family arriving at a flood shelter. She asks about their needs, not what they have done to earn a place. Clean clothes and warm food begin the work of recovery before they can offer anything back. The new life Paul describes comes from God, not from emergency supplies.
Notice
Titus 3:5 The saving action rests on mercy rather than good deeds already performed. That order matters because the chapter later strongly calls for useful good work.
Titus 3:4-7
King James Version4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5Not 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;
6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:8-11
Useful Work Instead of Empty Quarrels
Titus must keep affirming the message of mercy so that believers devote themselves to good work. Such work helps other people. Paul contrasts it with foolish questions, disputes over family lines, and fights about the law. These arguments produce no real benefit. A person who keeps causing division must receive a warning, then a second warning. If that fails, Titus is to reject him. Paul treats persistent division as serious sin, not as a harmless taste for debate. The repeated warnings mean the break should follow an effort to correct the person.
In everyday life
A pottery tutor stops two pupils arguing beside the kiln about whose method always works best. Finished pots wait to be fired, and the dispute blocks the whole class. She gives the same disruptive pupil two clear warnings before ending his place in the session. Church division damages a community of faith, not merely a shared craft lesson.
Notice
Titus 3:10 The second warning rules out an instant rejection at the first sign of trouble. Paul still sets a firm limit when correction is repeatedly refused.
Titus 3:8-11
King James Version8This 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.
9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Titus 3:12-15
Practical Help for Fellow Workers
Paul plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus, two fellow workers, to Titus. Titus should then meet him at Nicopolis, the city where Paul intends to spend winter. Zenas, a lawyer, and Apollos, another worker, need help for their onward travel. Titus must see that they lack nothing. Paul again links faith with useful work that meets actual needs. People who give such help bear fruit in their lives. He passes on greetings from his companions, asks Titus to greet those who love them in faith, and closes by asking grace for them all.
In everyday life
Three cycle volunteers pack spare tubes and water at a roadside aid station. Two riders still face a long route home, so the volunteers check each bag before they leave. Their care turns warm wishes into food, tools, and enough water for the road. Paul asks support for fellow Christian workers, not supplies for a sporting event.
Notice
Titus 3:14 The call for good works stands beside a request for travel help. Needed supplies give concrete form to the kind of useful service Paul commends.
Titus 3:12-15
King James Version12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Titus 3:1 begins with “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
Where the chapter turns
Titus 3:9 forms a natural hinge: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
The final note
Titus 3:15 leaves the reader with “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words good, works, foolish, grace, love, maintain help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- magistrates
- Public officials who hold authority to govern and uphold the law.
- regeneration
- A new beginning of life brought about by God.
- admonition
- A serious warning meant to turn someone away from wrong.
Music and video connected to the passage
No exact media match is cataloged for this passage yet. New material can be connected when it becomes available.