God’s Saving Goodness & Kindness
Notes
Transcript
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. 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. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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,
Paul’s Exhortation (1-2)
Paul’s Exhortation (1-2)
Titus is to remind the members of the communities of faith under his oversight.
That he is to remind them makes clear that these people possess prior knowledge. Paul is encouraging Titus to refresh their memories.
Be good citizens
Be good citizens
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
those who constitute and enforce government
same language as in Rom. 13 - be subject to
the people under the spiritual care should live their lives in line with the governing powers ready to do every good work or ready to do whatever is good.
It’s always difficult to navigate our way through how the church is to understand our relationship to governing authorities. I don’t think Paul is directing that people obey all laws, even if they call for disobedience to God. Keep in mind, Paul was a martyr. He was killed because of his unwillingness to obey the laws of the land.
Paul is encouraging Titus to exhort his church to be model citizens for the glory of God. To do this to the extent that it is possible.
Be gracious servants
Be gracious servants
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
A social ethic is promoted in verse one, now there is a personal ethic put forth in verse 2.
A readiness to show grace to everyone. Towards the church and unbelievers.
There are negative exhortations and positive exhortations
The negatives have to do with speech (speak evil of no one) and combativeness (avoid quarreling). Quarrelsome is being disposed to fighting and being contentious. Paul lists this (not quarrelsome) as a qualification to being an elder.
A sharp tongue is often combined with a confrontational spirit.
The point is, Titus’ church has been transformed by the grace of God, and this transformation is to show itself in how they relate to people in speech.
On the positive side, Christians are to be gentle and courteous.
This is really a call to display gentleness and courtesy.
Their lives should be ongoing demonstrations of these qualities.
This isn’t a call to be deferential to everyone, no matter the situation. But one to not be arrogant or condescending.
Paul’s Reminder (3-4)
Paul’s Reminder (3-4)
Verse three begins with the word for, which shows that the basis for the exhortations Paul issued in verse two is in verse three and following.
The past (3)
The past (3)
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.
These seven sinful traits are not to be handled with complacency or apathy. There is to be no sense of moral superiority.
We were once like this, Paul says. And the fact that we are not now is by the grace of God.
So when it comes to ministering to the world. To those who may exhibit the things believers us to be characterized by, we should seek to call them to repentance on the basis of the love God shows to sinners through Christ and not of our own sense of superiority over them.
The present (4-5)
The present (4-5)
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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,
Those in Christ are no longer like the world for a reason.
The goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior has appeared
So, God’s action is seen as something that has appeared. Appeared means to become manifest or visible. It seems best to understand this as a reference to the incarnation. A reference that Paul made earlier in this book.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
He saved us
not on the basis of performed righteousness. Righteous acts can only be done by righteous people, and righteous people do not become righteous because of their acts.
but people are saved on the basis of
God’s mercy
the washing of regeneration
the renewal of the HS
Paul made a connection between baptism and the work of the HS in 1 Cor.
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
We have been identified with Christ through the ministry of the HS in which He provided us new birth in Christ and union with Him.
It is on this basis that we should seek to connect with the surrounding non-Christian culture in a positive and gracious way. We are not inherently superior, but we are recipients of divine grace.
