#44c- Gods Grace Before After Over Under Around?
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(English Standard Version)
Titus 1 - Greeting - Qualifications for Elders
Titus 2 - Teach Sound Doctrine
Titus 3 - Be Ready For Every Good Work - Final Instructions and Greetings
COMMENTS and QUESTIONS
by J Neil Evans:
Read Titus yourself then …
Watch the Bible Project video Titus
Paul learned about the legalistic people who had corrupted the churches on the island of Crete. From among the growing number of men gifted by God to lead local congregations Paul chose Titus (another spiritual son) for the challenging job of “putting what remained into order”. (1:5) He instructed Titus to do two fundament things, appoint godly men to lead each church and teach them sound doctrine.
It wasn’t just the challenges of Crete that required high quality leadership in the churches. Paul gave similar instructions to Timothy. Christ’s Church is not a business, not a club, not a political party. There may be some similarities, but the role and character of leaders is one of the major differences. Jesus appointed twelve Apostles to represent Him in the beginning of His Church. In his various letters the Apostle Paul described the leaders as pastor-teachers, overseers (bishops and elders), and deacons. All these leaders were to be mature, proven servants, with exemplary Christ-like character.
The challenge for Titus was unique. Paul took a long paragraph to describe the existing leaders who needed replacing as: “… professing to know God, but denying Him by their works. They were detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (1:10-16) In that context, Paul told Titus to: “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (2:1) He was to teach the older men and older women to teach the younger ones the things that would “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” (2:10)
Making certain that it was clear that Godly character follows, not precedes salvation, Paul wrote: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (2:11-15)
Because our human tendency is to proudly forget even the most important things very quickly, Paul continued: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (3:1-7)
Paul concluded his short letter to Titus with his usual reference to the many others who were ministering in Jesus’ churches that were rapidly spreading Jesus’ Gospel throughout the world. And of course Paul closed with the most important reminder of all, that it was God’s Grace that was before, behind, and around any and every good accomplishment of Jesus’ servants.
Perhaps you noticed a seeming contradiction in Paul’s character as you read through this brief letter. In chapter one Paul very pointedly criticized the existing leaders of the Cretan churches. He concluded his criticisms with: “They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (1:16) And then, a few verses later, in chapter three, he says: “Remind them … to speak evil of no one, … to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (3:2) Hey, Paul, you didn’t seem to follow you own advice when you were apparently speaking evil of the Cretans. Actually, I think I would have said the same things. In fact, I have been as critical of other people as Paul was here. As I have pondered this seeming contradiction in Paul, I remember the critical words Jesus had for the Jewish religious leaders.
I think there is only one way to reconcile the comments in both Jesus and Paul. I read the critical words and read them in the way I would normally say them. I picture them pointing their wagging finger and saying “shame on you”. Written words don’t easily convey the full picture. What if I imagine Jesus and Paul saying accurate things about people who are indeed outside of God’s grace, but rather than pointing their finger they are, weeping?
To believe and live as if we don’t need, or can earn, the Grace of God is a very sad condition. All of us have been there, and many still are. It is right and necessary that we recognize their situation and warn them. But it is imperative that we are weeping as we do so. To do otherwise is to demonstrate that we do not ourselves understand the Grace of God, which alone is responsible for any and all good works in our lives.
(English Standard Version)
Titus 1 - Greeting - Qualifications for Elders
Titus 2 - Teach Sound Doctrine
Titus 3 - Be Ready For Every Good Work - Final Instructions and Greetings
COMMENTS and QUESTIONS
by J Neil Evans:
Read Titus yourself then …
Watch the Bible Project video Titus
Paul learned about the legalistic people who had corrupted the churches on the island of Crete. From among the growing number of men gifted by God to lead local congregations Paul chose Titus (another spiritual son) for the challenging job of “putting what remained into order”. (1:5) He instructed Titus to do two fundament things, appoint godly men to lead each church and teach them sound doctrine.
It wasn’t just the challenges of Crete that required high quality leadership in the churches. Paul gave similar instructions to Timothy. Christ’s Church is not a business, not a club, not a political party. There may be some similarities, but the role and character of leaders is one of the major differences. Jesus appointed twelve Apostles to represent Him in the beginning of His Church. In his various letters the Apostle Paul described the leaders as pastor-teachers, overseers (bishops and elders), and deacons. All these leaders were to be mature, proven servants, with exemplary Christ-like character.
The challenge for Titus was unique. Paul took a long paragraph to describe the existing leaders who needed replacing as: “… professing to know God, but denying Him by their works. They were detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (1:10-16) In that context, Paul told Titus to: “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (2:1) He was to teach the older men and older women to teach the younger ones the things that would “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” (2:10)
Making certain that it was clear that Godly character follows, not precedes salvation, Paul wrote: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (2:11-15)
Because our human tendency is to proudly forget even the most important things very quickly, Paul continued: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (3:1-7)
Paul concluded his short letter to Titus with his usual reference to the many others who were ministering in Jesus’ churches that were rapidly spreading Jesus’ Gospel throughout the world. And of course Paul closed with the most important reminder of all, that it was God’s Grace that was before, behind, and around any and every good accomplishment of Jesus’ servants.
Perhaps you noticed a seeming contradiction in Paul’s character as you read through this brief letter. In chapter one Paul very pointedly criticized the existing leaders of the Cretan churches. He concluded his criticisms with: “They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (1:16) And then, a few verses later, in chapter three, he says: “Remind them … to speak evil of no one, … to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (3:2) Hey, Paul, you didn’t seem to follow you own advice when you were apparently speaking evil of the Cretans. Actually, I think I would have said the same things. In fact, I have been as critical of other people as Paul was here. As I have pondered this seeming contradiction in Paul, I remember the critical words Jesus had for the Jewish religious leaders.
I think there is only one way to reconcile the comments in both Jesus and Paul. I read the critical words and read them in the way I would normally say them. I picture them pointing their wagging finger and saying “shame on you”. Written words don’t easily convey the full picture. What if I imagine Jesus and Paul saying accurate things about people who are indeed outside of God’s grace, but rather than pointing their finger they are, weeping?
To believe and live as if we don’t need, or can earn, the Grace of God is a very sad condition. All of us have been there, and many still are. It is right and necessary that we recognize their situation and warn them. But it is imperative that we are weeping as we do so. To do otherwise is to demonstrate that we do not ourselves understand the Grace of God, which alone is responsible for any and all good works in our lives.
Check out these LINKS:
Watch Bible Project summary of Titus
Read "Bible Words to Ponder" related to this week study
Read "The Gospel"