Weds Devo "The things which are unprofitable and worthless."

Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

Titus 3 is a continuation of Paul’s exhortation to Titus concerning the ministry of the Local church. He has dealt with aged believers, young young believers, young men and women, and servants, now he deals with two additional classes of people.

I. Civil Rulers 1-7

A. We must be subjective to Civil Rulers.

We must obey the laws and honor the office of our rulers even if we can’t honor the personal conduct of the officer.

If the law contradicts the Word of God we must remember that our first allegiance is to God!

B. We must be ready for every good works.

Our true citizenship is in heaven and we ought to apply our Christian faith in everyday life and we ought to apply the same faith to the affairs of our government.

Ready For Every Good Deed (work) suggests that we oght to support that which is good in the program of government and not be spectators when it is possible for us to do good.

I. Civil Rulers (3:1–7)

‌

Christians ought to be good citizens. True, our “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20), but while we are here on earth, we ought to apply our Christian faith in practical daily life. The church is not to get involved in party politics, but certainly Christian people should seek to apply Christian principles to the affairs of city and nation (Rom. 13; 1 Peter 3:8–17).

‌

Even if the believer cannot honor the personal conduct of a ruler, he must honor the office and the laws of the land. Of course, if the laws contradict the Word, the Christian’s first allegiance is to God (Acts 4:19; 5:29). “Ready to every good work” (v. 1) suggests that Christians ought to support that which is good in the program of the government. Certainly many of the great humanitarian reforms of the past have been led by men of Christian principles, and we ought not to be mere spectators when it is possible for us to do good. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world; therefore we must involve ourselves in the good causes of government, provided we do not compromise our convictions or hinder the work of the Lord.

‌

Some Christians think they will accomplish their purposes by arguments, and in v. 2 Paul warns against spreading lies with evil intent and starting fights. “The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20, NKJV). Gentleness and meekness can be stronger than even political power. Christians depend on different weapons as they fight sin (2 Cor. 10:1–6). The believer knows how to trust God to fight his battles after he has done all he can (Rom. 12:17–21). Meekness is not weakness; rather, it is power under control. Jesus was meek (Matt. 11:29), yet He knew how to exercise power.

‌

In vv. 3–7, Paul reminded these believers of the motive for honest living: the grace of God. The emphasis of this letter is that God’s grace not only saves us, but it also controls our daily lives and makes us more like Christ. “Remember your old life, before you were saved,” Paul wrote. “This will help you understand your unsaved friends better and have pity upon them.” We have been saved by God’s “kindness and love.” God hates the sins listed in v. 3, but He loves the sinners. Through Christ’s death on the cross, God has been reconciled to the world (2 Cor. 5:14–21) and is thus able to save all who will come to Him by faith. The Gk. word for “love” in v. 4 is similar to our word “philanthropy.” It is God’s gracious and giving attitude toward undeserving sinners. This news of God’s love “appeared” in Christ, His Person and work, His teachings, and most of all, His death and resurrection.

‌

Paul makes it clear that our salvation is not by works, although it results in good works (v. 8, and see Eph. 2:8–10). The “washing” (v. 5) has nothing to do with baptism; in the Gk. this word means “laver” and refers to the OT implement used in the tabernacle. He uses the same word in Eph. 5:26, where the washing is accomplished by the Word. Throughout the Bible, water for washing is likened to the Word of God (John 15:3; Ps. 119:9; and Eph. 5:26). In other words, v. 5 describes the two agents of our new birth (regeneration): the Word of God and the Spirit of God (John 3:5). See also 1 Peter 1:23 and James 1:18. The Spirit has been “poured out” upon all believers, and the tense of the verb here indicates that this action occurred once and for all, that is, at the pouring out of the Spirit in His baptism of believers at Pentecost. The believer is justified by grace and is an heir of God. What a blessed position we have in Christ. This wonderful salvation ought to motivate us to be better citizens, that the lost around us might see Christ in us and want to know Him.

‌

II. Heretics (3:8–11)

‌

The word “heretic” comes from a word meaning “to choose” and suggests a person who causes divisions in the church because he forces people to choose: “Are you for me or for the pastor?” Galatians 5:20 lists “heresy” (forming of parties, divisions) as a work of the flesh; it was prevalent in the carnal church at Corinth (1 Cor. 11:19). These church troublemakers loved to argue about words and genealogies, which suggests that they had a Judaizing background and tried to build novel doctrines on OT ideas. Such unprofitable and empty discussions are to be avoided; they will never convince the enemy and only divide the church.

‌

How was Titus to handle these problem people? For one thing, he had to avoid arguing with them. Then, if they persisted in causing strife even after two admonitions (and this implies public warnings), they were to be dismissed from the fellowship. Church members who cause divisions and then take their membership to another church should be allowed to go. If they come back but manifest a repentant spirit, they should be warned and received. If they cause trouble again, they may be granted the right to transfer a second time; but if they attempt to return again, they must not be received into the fellowship. Some sympathizing but untaught saints might say, “But perhaps they have reformed this time.” Paul points out in v. 11 that such people will not reform; they are “turned inside out” (subverted) and in a state of constant sin; that is, they are beyond remedy. Our local churches would have fewer divisions if pastors and officers would observe this important principle.

‌

Paul closed his brief letter with information about the travels of his associates in the Lord’s work. He informs Titus that “reinforcements are coming” to assist him in the difficult ministry on Crete. Either Artemas or Tychicus would replace him so that he might join Paul at Nicopolis; but meanwhile, Titus was to stay on the job until someone arrived to continue the work. It is well to keep in mind that God does not destroy one ministry to build up another one. When He moves a servant, He has a replacement ready to step in. If no replacement is ready, it might be an indication that it is not time to move.

‌

It seems that Zenas and Apollos were the ones who delivered this letter to Titus. Paul advised Titus to assist them as they continued their journey, which was probably a special mission for Paul. Christians ought to help one another as they go about in His service; see 1 Cor. 16:6, 11 and Rom. 15:24. We must take care not to assist those who teach false doctrine, however (2 John 10).

‌

Verse 14 was Paul’s reminder that the local Christians ought to assist Titus in his work and in his ministry of helping others on their way. The pastor and the people should share in this ministry of hospitality and encouragement. “Being fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10) should describe all Christians and not the pastor and officers only.

‌

He closed with his apostolic greeting, linking love with faith. “Grace be with you all” marks the letter as genuinely from Paul (2 Thes. 3:17).

‌