Notes for June 30, 2024 Small Group

Intro

We’ll start by reminding each other of the context (i.e. what was the purpose of the letter and where have we been the last two chapters); then we’ll read the passage and make observations about it (key words / phrases and themes); then we’ll move on to interpretation and application.

Context

Audience for the letter, Paul’s purpose for writing, key themes (can anyone recap?):

Audience - Titus, but seems that Paul is expecting others to read as well?

Purpose - Paul at some point had travelled to Crete and churches had been established (perhaps they had already begun forming after Pentacost but before Paul visited?); he’s now left Titus there to bring order to the churches and establish leadership in each city. The apostles seem to have already established formal protocols and structures (see Acts 14:21-23). False teachers have already become a problem in these Cretan churches, and the description of elder qualifications and of proper Christian living (which comes in Ch. 2) appear to be worded in intentional contrast with these false teachers.

Themes

The unbreakable link between faith and practice, belief and behavior.

This truth is the basis for Paul’s criticism of false teaching, the standards he sets for church leaders, and his instruction in Christian living.

What does a healthy church look like.

Where have we been?

Chapter 1 - About leadership in the church

Chapter 2 - About our behavior, focused on how we relate to one another inside the church, in our families, etc.

The Passage + Observations

Let’s read together and after we’ll call out key words / phrases and themes from Chapter 3.

Titus 3 ESV

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 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. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Titus 3 NLT

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us. May God’s grace be with you all.

Titus 3 MSG

Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off. As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them. Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don’t end up with nothing to show for their lives. All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you.

Key Words / Phrases / Themes (e.g. things that are repeated):

Good works - Be ready to do them, devoted to them

“All People” is important in v2

Avoid quareling and controversies

Our very sad state (v3) before Regeneration / renewal / justification (one commentary I read suggested that v5 is the greatest verse in the Bible on the doctrine of regeneration)

Profitable vs unprofitable / worthless

Interpretation

Question: Does anyone have any questions about the meaning of any part(s) of the passage? Or did anyone have questions on original reading that they’ve since been able to resolve?

“Perfect courtesy” could also be translated “meekness” or “gentleness”

To not “speak evil” means to speak against someone with the purpose of harming their reputation

What are “these things” in v8? Well, 1 Timothy 1:15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” is helpful here. … so in v8 Paul is basically saying, “remind them that it is not their good works that saved them, so that they may be careful to devote themselves to good works”!

Almost missed what’s going on in verses 9-10 … we could endlessly debate nonsense, but it’s useless. If someone wants to endlessly debate nonsense, stop engaging quickly (although I think by v10 we’re back to talking about people inside the church).

Question: Any helpful “hyperlinks” to other parts of the bible that helped enlighten this passage?

Galatians 6:10 “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” … re: being ready for every good work, toward everyone (but with an emphasis toward our brothers and sisters (note that it’s AND especially, not BUT especially)

Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

“Christians are not anarchists or rebels. We do not subvert or disobey the government unless it brings us into direct conflict with the commands of God ( Acts 5:29 ). And even then our disobedience is passive, not active, and we willingly accept the consequences of our actions. This submission is evidence of submission to and trust in God.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

What a great picture of regeneration / renewal in Ezekiel 36:25–27 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” … which Paul likely had in mind in Titus 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

In Galatians 5:19–21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” “dissensions and divisions” and laid out alongside sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, and orgies!

Application: What now (considering the whole book)?

Questions to help:

How can we “be ready for every good work”?

Are there things that we’re prone to quarrel about?

Are there “authorities” to which you aren’t submitting that you should?

Are you a changed person as a result of recieving this Word? How?

What has God said to you today?

Do you love God more today than yesterday? Why?

Is there a sin in your life that needs to be confessed and repented of?

What promises do I need to claim?

What can I model and teach?

What does God want me to share with someone?

My Answer(s):

Knowledge of the truth leads to godliness. I need to spend more time in God’s word and cherish it! (side note: This is why a key theme of the book is “sound doctrine leads to good behavior”)

re: being ready for “every good work” … Ch. 1 talked briefly about “hospitality” and we noted that the word more specifically means “loving strangers”. I think I could be more intentional about how I relate to strangers, both inside and outside the church.

I should reflect more on my sorry state without Jesus, where I could do nothing good and had no hope:

Isaiah 64:6 NLT

We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.