Session Devotional: Titus 3:1-3 (ESV)

I. 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

A. A Command to Remind (1-2).

Titus is to remind the Christians at Crete what it looks like to be zealous for good works.

If Titus is to remind the Christians at Crete. This implies that they have heard similar instruction before. Paul had probably instructed them in this way when He was with them in his Apostolic ministry.

They are to be submissive to ruler and authorities. This would be a reference to the governing authorities and the rule that they exercise in the political realm. Christian believers are to act in such a way that is in compliance and free from rebellion. There are exceptions to this when it comes to gospel ministry as Paul himself exemplified in his own Apostolic ministry. But even in his violation of civil disobedience he was prepared to suffer the consequences of his actions.

Their submission is to be characterized by their obedience to the governing authorities and to be ready “for every good work” as reflective of their submissive obedience. Remember that Cretans had a reputation that was even known by their own according to Titus 1:12 -12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

So it would appear that Paul is desiring that Titus chart a new course for them in Christian discipleship.

But this instruction goes beyond just submissive behavior to the governing authorities on the Island of Crete. The Christian life includes all relationships that we have with others.

Titus is to remind them that they are not to “speak evil” of anyone. The Greek term used here is “blasphemeo” and we get our English word ‘ “blaspheme” from this Greek word. It denotes the idea of speaking in such a way that slanders, reviles, or defames (BAGD).

They are also to “avoid quarreling” with others. Here the term is just one word in the Greek language and it denotes the idea of being “peaceable” (BAGD).

They are “to be gentle” towards others. This denotes, not insisting on every right of letter of law or custom, yielding, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant (BAGD).

They are to “show perfect courtesy toward all people” in their actions. This denotes the idea of “the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentleness, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness in the older favorable sense” (BAGD).

To what degree is Christianity to be relational in scope? How does it impact and challenge us relationally/ Are there barriers to this?

II. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

A. A Challenge to Remember (3).

Paul is reminding Titus to reflect on his own past behavior. Paul does this not just in reference to Titus but he is inclusive of himself along with Titus. This is a challenge to remember the past, before they were saved by the grace of God in Christ.

The implication is that Titus, if not already, would encounter such behavior in those he would be ministering to and encountering in this fallen word. This is true of all people regardless of ethnicity. These actions are reflective of the fallen nature of man for Jews (Paul) as well as Gentiles (Titus).

What does this call us to remember when we encounter such behavior in others in the world?