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Titus 3

15 verses

TL;DR

The chapter urges Titus to promote obedience, humility, and good works as a response to God’s grace, while warning against heresy and encouraging support for fellow missionaries.

Summary

Paul instructs Titus to remind believers to submit to authorities and perform good deeds. He exhorts them to avoid harsh speech, brawling, and to show meekness to all. Paul reflects on humanity’s former foolishness, disobedience, and lustful living, contrasting it with God’s kindness and mercy. He emphasizes that salvation comes not by righteous works but by God’s mercy, the cleansing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. This grace makes believers heirs of eternal life, which should motivate them to maintain fruitful good works. Paul also warns against futile debates and heretical attitudes, advises sending Artemas or Tychicus to Nicopolis, and instructs to support Zenas and Apollos, concluding with greetings and a benediction.

Outline
  1. Call to obedience and good works
  2. Instruction on humility and avoidance of conflict
  3. Contrast of human sin with God’s grace
  4. Encouragement to live fruitfully and support missionaries
  5. Warnings against heresy and unproductive debates
Themes
Obedience to authorityGrace and salvationHumility and good works
Keywords
obediencehumilitygood worksgracemercysalvationheresy
People
PaulTitusArtemasTychicusZenasApollos
Places
Nicopolis
Things
Principalities and powersMagistratesGood worksMeeknessRegenerationHoly GhostGraceEternal lifeHeretical teachingsWinter in Nicopolis
Key Verses
  • Titus 3:4: Highlights the kindness and love of God as the starting point of redemption.
  • Titus 3:5: Shows that salvation is by mercy, not works, underscoring the theme of grace.
  • Titus 3:7: Connects justification by grace to becoming heirs of eternal life.
  • Titus 3:9: Warns against fruitless debates, illustrating practical guidance for church conduct.
Questions
  • How does Paul define the relationship between grace and good works in this chapter?
  • What practical advice does Paul give regarding conflict and humility within the church?
  • Why does Paul emphasize avoiding ‘foolish questions’ and heretical teaching?
  • In what ways does the mention of missionary support (Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas, Apollos) reflect early church priorities?
  • How can modern believers apply the instruction to ‘be subject to principalities and powers’ in contemporary contexts?
Sentiment

mixed
Positive regarding grace and encouragement for good works, negative regarding human sinfulness and heresy.