Titus 3: Doing What Is Right
Under what circumstances should Christians not do what our government’s laws require?
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Daniel 3:16–18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, “We don’t have to think about our decision. If he wants to, the God we serve is able to deliver us from your fiery furnace. He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. Either way, know that we will not be serving your gods, nor will we worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Acts 5:29 “We are compelled to obey God, not men,” Peter said, and the rest of the apostles agreed.
Romans 12:18 Arguing with people builds strife, which you want to avoid. Do your best to live peaceably with everyone.
Titus 3:1 Remind people to respect the government, its leaders, and others in authority, always obedient in doing what is right.
King James
Daniel 3:16–18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
How can we best stand strong for the biblical standards that are not generally accepted by our society?
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Titus 3:1–3 Remind people to respect the government, its leaders, and others in authority, always obedient in doing what is right. Never be argumentative or slanderous, but with everyone be kind and considerate, for we were once thoughtless and deceptive, self-serving and pleasure-seeking, prone to anger and full of greed, lovers of self and haters of others.
King James
Titus 3:1–3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
If there were no perceived benefit in being “argumentative or slanderous,” people would never do it. What is the nature of that perception?
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Titus 3:2–3 Never be argumentative or slanderous, but with everyone be kind and considerate, for we were once thoughtless and deceptive, self-serving and pleasure-seeking, prone to anger and full of greed, lovers of self and haters of others.
King James
Titus 3:2–3 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Why should we “love God and love people”?
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Matthew 22:36–40 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”
“You must love God with your whole heart, with all your being and all your strength. This is the first and most important of all commandments. But the second commandment is equally important. Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Romans 12:2 Don’t follow what society says is right. To experience God and have the highest feeling of self-worth, and to live life to its fullest, your thinking must drastically change. Instead of centering your desires upon yourselves, satisfy the good and perfect will of God by seeking to help others.
Titus 3:4–5 But those times have changed since our Savior revealed our need to love God and love people. Because of his mercy, he saved us from our old ways through the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, not because of any good works we have done.
King James
Matthew 22:36–40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Titus 3:4–5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not 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;
In what ways does the Holy Spirit work in our lives?
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John 16:13 “But when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own authority but will say only what he hears. He will reveal to you things to come.”
Galatians 5:22 If the Holy Spirit is guiding your life, you show true love—giving to people without regard to whether they can return the favor. You have joy, peace and patience in stressful situations. Kindness, generosity, and faithfulness expresses who you are, not what people deserve.
Ephesians 5:9–10 For the Holy Spirit working within you produces only what is good, right, and true, leading you to do what is pleasing to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 The Holy Spirit is given to accomplish whatever service we are called to do. For example, the Holy Spirit might give special knowledge or wisdom in helping someone. The same Holy Spirit might give unique confidence in what God will do or lead to people’s healing. By the Spirit may come miracles, predictions of the future, and knowledge of spiritual activity. One might receive supernatural ability to speak or understand a foreign language. The Holy Spirit manifests himself according to whatever God wants to do in each situation.
Titus 3:6–7 Jesus Christ our Savior generously poured his Spirit upon us, making us a part of his family, heirs of eternal life with him.
King James
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 5:9–10 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Titus 3:6–7 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What is our responsibility to “forcefully preach” the message of Jesus Christ?
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Titus 3:8 Forcefully preach this message, because it’s absolutely true and will change the lives of those who trust God, leading them to do all that is good, helping everyone.
King James
Titus 3:8 This 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.
What are some of the “trivial questions” that people sometimes ask?
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Titus 3:9 Don’t get sucked into arguing over trivial questions, claims to righteousness in ancestry, or teaching that we should follow Jewish tradition. Those issues are a waste of time, profiting nothing.
King James
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
What does our ancestry have to do with who we are and what we should do?
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Jeremiah 31:29–30 No longer shall the people repeat this common proverb: “The parents ate sour grapes and left a sour taste in their children’s mouths.” But people will be accountable for their own wrongdoing. The one who eats the sour grapes will suffer the resulting sour taste.
Romans 3:1–2 Is there any advantage in our being certified Christians, recognized for our biblical studies? Yes, there is. Our Jewish ancestry brought God’s voice to our ears.
2 Timothy 1:5 When I think about the unwavering faith I saw in your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice, I am convinced that you have the same commitment to Christ.
Titus 3:9 Don’t get sucked into arguing over trivial questions, claims to righteousness in ancestry, or teaching that we should follow Jewish tradition. Those issues are a waste of time, profiting nothing.
King James
Jeremiah 31:29–30 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
Romans 3:1–2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Why should we give up on argumentative people after the second admonition?
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Titus 3:10–11 After the second admonition, reject divisive, argumentative people. By not showing love, their own sins condemn them.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow in keeping his promise, not like some people think. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, giving time for everyone to repent.
King James
Titus 3:10–11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
What is condemning about not showing love?
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Luke 6:33 “You get no credit for showing kindness to those who treat you well, because sinners do that much.”
John 13:35 “If you love one another, people will know you are my disciples.”
Titus 3:10–11 After the second admonition, reject divisive, argumentative people. By not showing love, their own sins condemn them.
King James
Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Titus 3:10–11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Why was Paul sending someone to replace Titus in Crete?
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Titus 3:12 I will send either Artemas or Tychicus to Crete. As soon as either one arrives, do your best to meet me in Nicopolis, where I have decided to spend the winter.
King James
Titus 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
How might Paul have known where Apollos and Zenas were and why they would be leaving?
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Titus 3:13 When Apollos and the lawyer Zenas leave, help them as much as you can so they’ll have everything they need for their journey.
King James
Titus 3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
If God will supply people’s needs, why should we be concerned about their needs?
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Titus 3:14 We should be careful to meet the needs of others so their ministries can flourish.
King James
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
How might Titus have communicated Paul’s greeting to the Cretans?
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5Author’s Paraphrase
Titus 3:15 Those who are with me send their greetings. Say hello to the Cretans who share our faith in Christ. May God’s favor be with you all. Let it be so.
King James
Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.