PROPER CONDUCT BEFORE THE WORLD
TITUS LESSON 3– TITUS 3:1-15
By E. L. Bynum
Memory Verse: Titus 3:5 (N.W. Philemon 17,18) Titus 3:1-15
I. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER CONDUCT. v. 1-7
A. The Plea For Proper Behavior. v. 1-2
1. Christians are to be exemplary in citizenship. v. 1; Rom. 13:1, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
a. They are to be subject to civil authorities except in matters which cause them to be disobedient to God. See I Pet. 2: 11-25; 3:134:5; Acts 5:27-29, And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:40-42, And to him they agreed. and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
b. They are to do their part as good citizens.
2. Christians are to be exemplary in godliness. v. 2 “To speak evil of no man” refers to blaspheming men or simply being a gossiper. It does not contradict the Scriptures that teach us to expose and rebuke disobedient Christians and religious teachers. See Rom. 16:17, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Titus 1:13; 3:10; Eph. 5:11, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. II Thess. 3:6,14, Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. II Cor. 6:17, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
B. The Purpose Of Proper Behavior. v. 3-7
1. Because of our past guilt. v. 3
2. Because our present condition is entirely due to the grace of God. v. 4-7
a. We should understand God’s love for men. v. 4
b. We should understand that salvation is a free gift apart from any merit on man’s part. v. 5a
c. We should understand that Christ is the channel and cause of regeneration. v. 5b-6; Col. 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. I Tim. 6:17, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
d. “Washing” of regeneration does not refer to baptism. v. 5c. In the New Testament people were baptized after salvation. Acts 8:36-38, And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what cloth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all shine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 10:43-48, To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
e. We should realize our possessions in Christ. v. 7. Rom. 3:24, Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
f. Justified by His grace, we are made heirs. v. 7. Justification means that God declares a believing sinner righteous because of the finished work of Christ on the cross.
II. WARNINGS CONCERNING PROPER CONDUCT. v. 8-11
A. Constantly Affirming Good Works. v. 8
1. Only believers can do this.
2. These things are profitable to men.
B. Constantly Avoiding Bad Works. v. 9-11
1. Avoid foolish questions and legalistic teaching. v. 9; I Tim. 1:4, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. II Tim. 2:23, But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
2. Avoid and reject heretics. v. 10. Gal. 5:19-20, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. Such people divide a church and cause confusion. After the second admonition they are to be rejected. “Reject” means to refuse or avoid. “Reject” in the Greek is in the imperative mood, which means that it is a command that is to be obeyed.
3. Actual condition of the sinner. v. 11
III. CONCLUSION AND GREETINGS. v. 12-15
A. Directions Concerning Fellow Workers. v. 12-13
1. Artemas or Tychius to replace Titus. v. 12. We meet Tychius in several places in the New Testament. Acts 20:4, And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
2. Titus to meet Paul in Nicopolis. v. 12
3. Zenas and Apollos to come also. v. 13
B. Directions Concerning Christian Industry. v. 14-15
1. Maintaining good works and fruitfulness go together. v. 14; Eph. 2:8-10, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God bath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2. A salutation from all of those with Paul. v. 15
3. A greeting for those who loved Paul in the faith. v. 15
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Quote the memory verse from memory.
2. What was Titus to teach the believers about citizenship?
3. Explain “to speak evil of no man.”
4. How did Paul describe our past guilt ?
5. Our present condition is entirely due to _____________ _____________ _____________.
6. Explain the relationship between salvation and works of righteousness.
7. What should believers be careful to do?
8. What should believers be careful to avoid?
9. What are we to do with heretics?
10. Who was to replace Titus on Crete?
11. Where was Titus to meet Paul, and what would Paul be doing there?
12. What is the relationship between good works and fruitfulness?