Exposition of Paul’s Letter
to
TITUS
LESSON 7: FINAL REMARKS
Review
Paul’s flow of thought to Titus:
Text:
Titus 3:9-15
9 But avoid foolish controversies,
genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable
and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after
warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11
knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. 12
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. 13 Do your
best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack
nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good
works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the
faith. Grace be with you all.
Exposition Titus 3:9-15
A.
The Problem Re-Sated
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels
about the law.”[1] The spiritual leader must shun, avoid – don’t
even bother investigating, these fanciful notions that are occupying the
conversations of those disturbing the Church. Why? “They are unprofitable and worthless.”[2] As we noted before, the
substance of these controversies is unknown except that they must have been
fanciful fiction that had been added to the text of Scripture rather than drawn
from it. One might call it
“speculation”.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes: “These myths seemingly were speculative and
fanciful inventions drawn from the OT records such as are found in the
apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings of Judaism.”[3]
Again, let us
emphasize that false teachers always either misuse the
Bible (as taking verses out of context) or add to it (some rule or religious
duty done for merit) or take away from it (like denying the sufficiency of
Christ). When the meaning of the Bible,
exegetically exposed is replaced with some insatiable desire to find a “deeper
meaning” you can literally make the Bible say whatever you want. When Titus
recognizes this, he is simply not even supposed to engage in these
debates. If the issue is something
outside the Bible how can you possibly discuss it?
These divisive, disturbers are to be warned
– at least twice, and then disfellowshipped.
Again Paul characterizes the sin of these disturbers: “. . . knowing that such a person is warped and
sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10–11, ESV).
B.
Concluding Remarks
Paul concludes with some personal notes:
1.
To Titus: He is to meet Paul for the winter in
Nicopolis. “Nicopolis was a port
city in Epirus, on the west coast of the Greek peninsula and about 200 miles
(322 km) northwest of Athens.”[4]
2.
To Artemas
or Tychicus: One of these men will take
Titus’ place in Crete. We know nothing of Artemus, but Tychicus was often
spoken of by Paul is helping him in his endeavors. He “accompanied Paul on his
third journey (Acts 20:4). In Eph. 6:21 and Col. 4:7 he is referred to as a
“beloved brother and faithful minister” (see also 2 Tim. 4:12.”[5]
3.
Zenas and
Apollos are likely bringing this letter and Titus is to look after them and
equip them for the rest of their journey.
Zenas we have no Biblical record of but Apollos was a Jewish Christian
from Alexandria in Egypt (Acts 18:24). We remember that Apollos was well-versed
in the Scriptures and an eloquent speaker.
Paul’s final pastoral appeal in this letter
is stated this way: “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good
works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus
3:14, ESV). Here Paul returns to the
theme of the letter, but as he does in so many cases he adds an insight that is
important. The good works of the Gospel
are intended to meet necessary uses.
The Greek word ἀναγκαῖος [pronounced an·ang·kah·yos] speaks of things “of necessity, what one cannot do
without, indispensable, etc. [6] To engage in acts of goodness when it is not
necessary is to waste God’s provision.
Opportunities for doing good lie all around us. We exercise Biblical wisdom and make our
lives fruitful when we discern those that are of necessity.
To this Paul adds his
concluding greeting: “All who are with me send
greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”
(Titus 3:15, ESV)
Conclusion
In this letter we learn that:
a.
Those who entertain speculative
notions, not according to the written Word, cannot be pacified and catered to. “I have applied all these things to myself
and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go
beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one
against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)
b.
Elders are to be examples of
the Church. This means that the
character qualifications for biblical eldership actually applies to all
Christians. “So I exhort the
elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the
flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but
willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not
domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1
Peter 5:1–3, ESV)
c.
Holiness is the result of
Gospel believing. We never outgrow the
Gospel. The way we are to live is the same as the way we started. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in him,” (Colossians 2:6, ESV)
Questions
[1] The
Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Tt 3:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[2] The
Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Tt 3:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[3] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis
CD-ROM:Titus/Exposition of Titus/II. Concerning Elders and Errorists in Crete
(1:5-16)/B. The Refutation of False Teachers (1:10-16)/2. The response to the
situation (1:13b-14), Book Version: 4.0.2
[4] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The
ESV Study Bible
(p. 2351). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[5] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible
(p. 2351). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[6] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s
Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
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