Christians are not only called to be good citizens
but all around good neighbors.
Paul told Titus to remind (Grk. hupomimnesko) the Cretans about
something which indicates they should have somehow already known
it. They were to subject (Grk. hupotasso) or voluntary place
themselves in rank to certain groups of people. This idea carries with it
the laying down of rights for the ultimate good of others. We exhibit
trust in God in any situation (home, work, church and the world) we
actually submit our individual gifts under the higher purposes of the
Highest Power. They were to submit to principalities (Grk. arche)
which indicates leader and powers (Grk. exousia) which basically
means those who have authority or jurisdiction. These words combined
indicate Paul was not distinguishing between levels of authority but
meant authority in the widest possible sense.
The Scriptures teach us to have a high regard for authority because
right or wrong authority has been instituted by God (Mt 17:24-27,
22:15-22; Ro 13:1-7; 1Tim 2:2; 1Peter 2:13-17). We have to trust God
enough to believe that He is sovereign over all kinds of authority. The
idea is that somehow God will work all things together for the good of
those who love Him (Ro 8:28). “How we vote, the ethics we use in
political debate and action, the laws we obey, the legislation we seek,
and the language we use to discuss governmental issues and officials at
church, at work, and around the dinner table; all of these areas of life
are affected by Paul’s instruction.” (Hughes, 355)
Clearly, there is no authority which we should not respect and
willingly put ourselves in rank under. This includes building codes, city
codes, laws of commerce, traffic laws, state standards, governmental
pay regulations, city, state and local taxes, etc. No matter how
unreasonable we think the standards are, there are no excuses for nonsubmission. We should keep in mind the government itself is not the
end goal of this subjection but rather the gospel is. If those who follow
the gospel do not exhibit a trust that goes beyond temporal comforts
then the gospel witness is diminished. We should also be careful that
even when we disagree, we never do so in a way that violates basic
principles of godly conversation or in a way that insinuates we are not
submitted to authority. It simply leaves God’s name open to slander.
Before we come up with too many excuses as to how difficult
government is, we should remember that the apostles who wrote
Scripture subjected themselves in this fashion and so did Jesus. These
men lived in a time of governmental authorities who crucified their
enemies on Roman crosses and are said to have burned Christians at
the stake just to light their parties (Nero – 70AD). So no matter how
cruel the authority, Scripture calls us to trust in God who is over all.
Think about it, the church and the home are dependent upon proper
lines of authority (Eph 5:21-33). If the leaders of these institutions do
not show respect for difficult authority, how in the world can they
expect their followers to show respect whenever they are difficult in the
eyes of their subordinates? What happens teaches people about the
authenticity of our faith in the gospel we claim to believe.
Notice also Paul does not call us to passive subjection but rather
active. Too often people view the Scripture texts related to government
as commands to quietly fade into the background of society and
thereby gain a peaceful coexistence. In other words, sort of go
unnoticed. It is evident that this is not what Paul meant. The ultimate
goal of subjection in any situation is not merely image or peaceful
coexistence but is always the redemption of creation. This is easy to
discern when you notice subjection commands are always rooted in
eschatological (gospel/salvation) realities like we see 3-7. We are to be
ready (Grk. hetoimos – prepared/eager) to every good work (2Ti
3:17).
We should understand this entire teaching is rooted in Israel’s
understanding that the Lord their God was sovereign no matter what
pagan government dominated over them (Jer 29:7; Exra 6:9-10). They
were to hope in their future release but also to remain loyal to the
pagan government and thereby display supreme trust in God. Their
God did not call them to protest or overthrow any evil government but
learn to exist as a God follower in the midst of wickedness. As we
Titus 3:1-7 1 of 9
Titus 3:1-7 2 of 9
Sfa
Turning Belief
into
PRACTICE
-Mini SeriesLive Mercifully
Toward All Men
Titus 3:1-7 Mercy to ALL, even the Lost
The following commentary is designed to cause us to learn through
unpacking truths from each verse of this book…
“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities
and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to
every good work,”
learned last week, God’s intention in this world is not obedience when
it’s convenient but trust when it’s absolutely not.
The next verse will show what this good work encompasses.
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, showing all meekness to all men.”
God is causing us to be peacemakers to all men.
Being peacemakers to all men is a pretty tall order for a country
where people were lying, lazy, rough gluttons (1:12). Paul didn’t just
think the gospel should change our dealings with governmental
authorities but that it changes our disposition with all men. With every
human we are to not speak evil (Grk. blasphemeo) or not slander,
insult or speak abusively to anyone. We are to not be brawlers (Grk.
amachos) which speaks of not being contentious or quarrelsome but
rather peaceable. Also, we are to be gentle (Grk. epieikes) and meek
(Grk. praotes) which both speak of patience, fairness and mildness.
Again the point is not for the sake of just being nice people but for
the promotion of the gospel in the lives of others. It may not even be
those you submit to but could also be those who are onlookers. Paul
told Timothy, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be
gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover
themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will” (2Ti 2:24-26).
Every disagreement or difficult situation requires that we always
remember the higher calling of the gospel. We should remember that
how we behave represents whatever we claim to believe. There are no
shortages of people who fight with each other on numerous levels
simply because they are selfish and lack self control. That is not
different and distinct. The changes the gospel causes within us to give
up selfish agendas and become self controlled are different and distinct
and impressive to a selfish world. They make God look as beautiful as
He truly is. The world simply stands in amazement when people
selflessly give to one another even giving up personal rights and
privileges for the sake of others (Phil 2:5-11).
“3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,
disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and
pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and
hating one another.”
Titus 3:1-7 3 of 9
Our changed behavior toward others is motivated
by our new, realistic view of self.
Notice Paul’s repeated use of the word “we” in our text. He was not
speaking of a select group of individuals but of everyone including
himself. All he described here was also true of him and was at the heart
of his former Christian-killing rampage (Acts 9; 1Ti 1:13; Gal 1:1117). The fact is that humans begin in a sinful state of foolishness (Grk.
anoetos – without understanding/unable to discern – 1Cor 2:14; Rom
1:21; Eph 4:18), disobedience (Grk. apeithes – non-compliant to any
authority – Rom 1:21, 30), deception (Grk. planao – lead
astray/deluded), and serving diverse lusts and pleasures (Grk.
douleuo – enslaved to controlling desires that impacted our life and
conduct). All of these are at the central operating core of what it means
to be a human being born in the fallen image of Adam (Ro 5:12).
We can come up with all kinds of seemingly valid reasons to be
unloving, unkind, unforgiving, etc. but the bottom line is that no human
being deserves any goodness whatsoever because all have sinned
against Almighty God (Ro 3:23). Because we rejected God’s wisdom
we were lead astray by our own sinful reasoning and false logic
towards eternal death in Hell (Ro 6:23). While we were clearly
mislead, this verse shows we are also very culpable for our wrong
decisions and therefore deserve whatever punishment is befitting of
that (Ro 1:18-32).
Notice how our wrong thinking lead to wrong relating. Violation of
neighbor is the result of our internal bad judgment. It is the polar
opposite of God’s character (Ro 5:8). Paul said we lived in malice
(Grk. kakia – ill will to protect what we have/jealousy) and envy (Grk.
phthonos –because we want what others have), hate (Grk. stugnetos –
detestable) and hating one another (Grk. miseo – pursuing with hate).
Our misguidedness caused us to not only violate God, but also man.
We failed be follow God’s example and counsel concerning actions
toward others. Very simply we have no idea how to love others the way
God want them loved or in ways in which they need that love.
This is the issue of righteousness. Our ever-present poor thinking
leads to the constant temptation to make everything about self.
Consequently we fail the ultimate test of loving God and neighbor as
self (Mt 22:37-29). The way we can tell Christ’s work is truly changing
us is by considering what rules us and how those ruling desires cause
us to relate to others. There simply is no other way to look at what it
Titus 3:1-7 4 of 9
means to be a Christian. We are either followers of Christ’s love of
toward the world or we are not (Jn 3:16).
It’s important to remember we become frustrated only when we
forget we ourselves are frustrating. We are sinners and therefore it is
within our very nature to do the exact same things the unsaved do.
Perhaps they frustrate us because we are still quite selfish or because
we now by grace see the folly of particular sins against God or others
or both. Rather than be frustrated with people who are just like us, we
should concentrate on demonstrating our hope before them so that they
might find that hope attractive and be changed as well.
“4 But after that the kindness and love of God our
Savior toward man appeared, 5 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; 6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus
Christ our Savior; 7 That being justified by his
grace, we should be made heirs according to the
hope of eternal life.”
God’s kindness and love made our change
possible.
Lest we begin to think we cleaned up our own mess, Paul reminds
us we certainly did not. In this passage, he contrasted our inhumanity
and depravity against God’s benevolent love for mankind. There are
few clearer ways to display our main problem and need (Rom 2:4,
3:12, 11:22). It was God who showed us kindness (Grk. chrestotes)
which refers to how he dealt with our sinfulness in gentle ways and
God showed us love (Grk. philanthropia) which indicates active
fondness toward mankind. This did not come by works of
righteousness (Grk. dikaiosune) which would indicate a state of lining
up with God’s perfect standard of loving Him and others. Instead it
came despite our utter failures.
Notice again Paul said this kindness and love appeared. In light of
the previous chapter’s two uses of the word, it refers to the Christ
event. Christ is God’s kindness and love appeared. He embodies these
truths. It is only through our union with Him that we can hope to attain
these qualities ourselves.
So before we claim people don’t deserve our kindness and love we
should remember our change came only because of God’s mercy (Grk.
eleos) which simply means withholding what we deserve. He
Titus 3:1-7 5 of 9
accomplished our change by regenerating us (Grk. paliggenesia)
which refers to our rebirth or recreation (2Cor 5:17) and by Holy
Ghost renewal (Grk. anakainosis) which describes a complete change
or renovation for the better. Of course all of this indicates that in Christ
who we are at our core has been changed. We are no longer enslaved to
our former passions but rather freed from their bondage to serve God
and others purely (Ro 6).
All of this kindness, love and mercy was made possible through
Jesus Christ our Savior. Contrary to our best human effort our
justification was accomplished by His grace alone. To be justified
(Grk. dikaioo) means we are legally declared to be in right standing
with God or more specifically given the status of one who rightly loves
God and neighbor as self. It does not mean we have been made upright.
Simply put, God unfairly counts our sin’s to be Christ’s and counts
Christ’s perfection to be ours (2Co 5:21). So in the same way that
Christ is never a sinner, we are never truly righteous. Even in this life
we are guaranteed to be heirs of Christ’s possessions not by works we
perform pre or post salvation but according to the hope of eternal
life.
Answers to the following are in the commentary above or a verse
will be listed to help find the answer. They should cause you to think
about the text we studied. (Note intentional repetition from last wk)
Other Related Scripture upon which to Read & Meditate
See Scriptures throughout this lesson.
Personal Study Questions
• Are you on a power trip? Give some examples of times where you’ve
surrendered your rights for the good of others and the sake of the
gospel. Consider Phil 2:5-11.
• To which types of authorities did Paul command subjection? How
could this be difficult? Which ones do you struggle with (local, state,
federal)?
• Consider the last problem you had with any individual. What was
your demeanor and attitude? Was it rooted in gospel purposes? Were
you what Paul described in verse 2?
• How does thinking impact actions?
Group Discussion Questions
• Consider that Jesus as God had all the rights in the universe but laid
them down in subjection to God the Father. What rights does each
Titus 3:1-7 6 of 9
member of your group hold dearly? What keeps you from laying them
down in certain or any situation? How could God use your gifts for the
good of others if you were to submit them to Him in this way?
• Discuss when and how certain authorities can be difficult to obey.
Consider the authorities both Israel and the early church were under at
various times and discuss that this is not merely a command to be
carried out when the circumstances are convenient. Talk about how
keeping the gospel in focus is a much better goal than simply making
the authority the end. Also discuss whether or not you are ever a
difficult authority to get along with.
•Talk about some recent encounters with people that did not go well.
What attitudes and actions hindered resolution and reconciliation?
Consider verse 2 and discuss how you could have responded
differently.
•Discuss the old nature described in verse 3. Talk about how it not only
impacted individual thinking and action but resulted in outward hatred
toward other humans. Try to reach understand that without Christ,
these qualities define our lost condition and ultimately our problems
with God and man that required Christ to live perfectly and die in our
place.
•Who is difficult for you to treat kindly and love? Give some
consideration to how difficult you can be. Make a list of reasons certain
people are difficult to love. Come up with some concrete ways of
responding to your next encounter with certain difficult people that will
allow you to display the gospel of grace to them.
Family Discussion Ideas – Keep simple (about 15mins/day). This is
intended for parents to read to your family. Simply read verses &
explanations; only elaborate if you have knowledge in that area.
Monday: Discuss how God uses all authority in this world (good and
bad) to somehow accomplish His redemptive, gospel purposes. Talk
about how important it is to show submission not just through being
passive but active. Also discuss obedience when it’s not convenient.
Give some examples like submitting to school teachers, obeying the
rules of a home owners association or a local speed limit.
Tuesday: Talk about problem solving in light of this passage. Discuss
and give examples of ways your family solves problems. Do they
match this text? In your specific examples discuss not only how to
change but why you would want to change. Explain how your attitudes
and actions display either selfishness or trust in God.
Titus 3:1-7 7 of 9
Wednesday: Draw pictures of wickedness on one side of your paper.
Then draw a cross in the middle. Then on the right side draw pictures
of goodness. Talk about how the cross changes sinful man into people
who love others. Spend time praying for your pastors, deacons and
church family specifically.
Thursday: Talk about how kind and loving God is to those who don’t
deserve it. Make a list of those who you think don’t deserve your
kindness and love. Discuss why you think this way and make specific
plans to treat these people well. Talk about the gospel being a higher
goal than personal preferences and comforts.
Friday: Read a Bible story to your children, or have them read a story
to you if they are old enough.
Saturday & Sunday: Before you come to corporate worship, explain
to your children that their ministry at church is to welcome new
children, help their teachers, serve the other children in their class, to
be good listeners and examples during service, talk about Jesus with
any kids who are not yet Christians, and be looking for ways to pray
for the other children throughout the coming week (Adults should
review their own ministry too!). After service, please discuss with your
children what they learned and how their ministry went.
Keeping the gospel central to this text:
• How does this text display how the gospel is changing us?
• In what areas does this text show your need to trust Christ more?
• What have you learned this week to specifically STOP & START
doing regarding marriage, parenting, church, job, community
involvement, etc?
• What specifically do you need to START doing in your life regarding
your marriage, parenting, church, job, community involvement, etc?
• What help do you need (and from whom) to implement these
changes? Begin praying for who might help you.
• List ways you could enlist other believers to help aid your change.
• Pray and repent to God about your specific sins, thanking God for the
good things, His patience and asking Him for His help.
• Pray through 2Corinthians 7:9-11 taking note of how your repentance
should look in real life, asking God for strength to focus and change.
What’s your mission? The Mission of Landmark is Christ’s mission…“To reach all
nations and generations with the gospel and lead them on Christ’s mission for God’s
glory.” (Mt 28:19-20; Acts1:8; 1Co 10:31; Rev 5:9)
Titus 3:1-7 8 of 9
Note: As with any teaching, if you have any questions or concerns about this lesson,
please direct them to the speaker in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians
6:1. He has likely studied this topic more recently than anyone else and can help you
study it more thoroughly. (Bibliography will be available at the end of the series)
Titus 3:1-7 9 of 9