Titus 3:9-15 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Titus 3:9-15. Let’s go!
Titus 3:9 (NIV)
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
On verse 9: Whereas focusing on the Gospel is “excellent and profitable for everyone” (v8), quarreling with people who like to talk to cause trouble is “unprofitable and useless” (v9). When read together, verses 8-9 are Paul saying to Titus: Focus on what’s important. Don’t waste your time on what’s not important.
Titus 3:10-11 (NIV)
10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
On verses 10-11: Paul instructs Titus on how to deal with individuals who have a penchant for causing trouble and division in the church. He tells Titus to “warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them” (v10). In other words, don’t waste too much time or energy on people who are bent on causing trouble and division.
Jesus did not waste much time trying to convince His opponents and critics to think otherwise. He simply moved on and drew boundaries with people whom He knew were not safe people for Him to get close to. May we be more like Jesus and Paul in this regard.
Titus 3:12-13 (NIV)
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.
On verses 12-13: Paul tells Titus to take care of two of their colleagues Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, a talented preacher (v13). He also tells Titus to do his best to meet him in Nicopolis (v12). Though Titus was the pastor of a busy church in Crete, he was still accountable to Paul, his mentor and leader. Thus Paul could instruct Titus as he does in this letter.
What can we learn from this? It is healthy, good and necessary for every Christian to have a leader to whom he or she is accountable and submits. This helps you practice real humility and love, as opposed to just talking about humility and love in abstract terms. Who is someone you submit to in Christ?
Titus 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
On verses 14-15: Being devoted to doing what is good is one of the biggest themes in Paul’s letter to Titus. Despite Titus being a short letter, Paul uses the phrase “what is good” seven times (1:8; 2:3; 2:7; 2:14; 3:1; 3:8; 3:14). The book of Titus is similar to the book of James in that both emphasize how the Christian faith is not just a matter of what you believe or what you say, but how you live.
This concludes our look at the book of Titus. Going through this book with you this past week, the two lessons that hit home for me the most – simply by how much they are repeated in this book – are that (1) God is a saving God and (2) Christians are to lead by example.
What were the most important lessons you learned from this book? I encourage you to write them down and would love it if you shared them with me!
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the practical lessons we can learn from the book of Titus. Jesus, thank You for being my Saving King. May I be a servant in Your kingdom who leads by example too. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
