Explore the Bible
Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
Look for Good Works
Titus 3:1–15
How do unbelievers look at Christians? According to many surveys, Christians are considered judgmental and narrow-minded. Some believers live as if this is the way it should be, and they have little ability to relate well to outsiders. Other believers have a better attitude, but they are not doing any good works, either for other believers or for outsiders. Some believers also have questions about how to relate to government authorities, particularly when government policies seem to violate the teaching of Scripture. Adults will benefit from this study of Paul’s advice about how believers are to behave toward unbelievers and how they are to excel in good works.
Live Well Before Outsiders (1–3)
A large part of any pastor’s public ministry is reminding people of what they know already. Titus was to remind believers that they were to recognize that governmental authorities are in a real sense God’s ministers (Rom. 13:1–7), even though they may not recognize it themselves and offer themselves to God as such. God has ordained government to maintain order in human society, so we should be respectful and obedient in every area except those in which government opposes God’s law. With this attitude, Christians should be an influence for good in the community.
Paul lists seven qualities expected of every Christian citizen: (1) submission to authorities, (2) obedience to laws, (3) ready to do whatever is good, (4) to slander no one, (5) to be peaceable, (6) to be considerate and (7) to show gentleness to everyone. These should be true in our lives especially since we were once filled with all sorts of sin. Every believer has not committed every sin listed here but, before we were saved, every life was characterized by such sins. This truth should humble us in our dealings with outsiders, even those who are grossly immoral and ungodly. Living with integrity and gentleness and doing good to others helps us behave properly toward outsiders.
Be Transformed by God’s Salvation (4–8)
But the grace of God, found in the gospel story about Jesus, transforms sinners. People cannot save themselves. God’s grace must bring salvation to lost mankind. Salvation is not discovered by sinners; it appears to them in Jesus Christ. It is Jesus (kindness and love incarnate) who, appearing in human form in human history, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death and rose victoriously over death. It is not our good deeds that save us but His mercy through the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration. Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the moment he is born again. This work of God in salvation makes believers heirs of God, filled with the anticipation of a glorious eternity. This trustworthy message should motivate believers to devote themselves to good works. Remembering the greatness of our salvation will help us to behave properly before outsiders.
Deal with Divisive People (9–11)
The teaching of salvation in Christ is sound doctrine and is beneficial and profitable for everyone in contrast to foolish debates and arguments over insignificant minutiae of the Law of Moses. The people advocating such useless things are to be avoided and warned. If such a person continues after the second warning, he proves himself sinful and self-condemned. By his own ungodly behavior, the factious individual brings judgment upon himself. Staying away from foolish, divisive people helps us behave properly toward outsiders.
Be Devoted to Good Works (12–15)
The apostle closes the epistle by emphasizing the importance of Christians continuing in doing good works, even while he was giving Titus information about certain individuals. The Greek word for “works” (ergon) appears four times in this last chapter (vv. 1, 5, 8, 14). Note the contrast: on one hand believers are exhorted to do good works (vv. 1, 8, 14); on the other hand “works of righteousness” have no saving value (v. 5). Devoting ourselves to doing good works helps us to behave properly toward outsiders.
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