Day: 5 August 2021

Lesson 16

Prayer:

Titus 3: 1-15, submit to authorities, avoid foolish disputes, farewell

VV 1-3, 1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

Christians should submit to authorities and rulers, be obedient, not speak evil of others, peaceful, gentle, and humble, remembering that they were once foolish, disobedient, deceiving, lustful, malicious, envious, and hateful.

VV 4-7, 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

People are not saved by doing good works but by Christ’s mercy and grace, through the washing of the Word of God and regeneration of the Holy Spirit. People are saved and justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. When people believed in the finished work of Christ on the cross, they are regenerated or born again and adopted as heirs of God.

V 8, This is a faithful saying and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Good work is not a prerequisite of salvation but the result of salvation. Faith in Christ is a prerequisite of salvation. Good work is our response to God’s grace, mercy, and love.

VV 9-11, 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Christians should avoid disputes on doubtful matters, genealogies, and legalism. Christians should reject argumentative and disruptive people after going through the due process of admonitions.

VV 12-14, 12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

Paul would be sending Artemis or Tychicus to Titus in Crete. Paul would be meeting Titus in Nicopolis in winter.

V 15, All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

In his farewell address, Paul pronounced a blessing of grace to Titus.

Application:

As Christians, we should submit to authorities and rulers, obedient, peaceful, gentle, and humble, remembering that we were once foolish, disobedient, deceiving, lustful, malicious, envious, and hateful. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. We are saved by faith in Christ, not by works. We do good work in response to Christ’s grace, mercy, and love.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the energy, strength, and perseverance to complete 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Thank You for Your timely Word. that transcends culture and time. We pray for wisdom to understand and apply scripture into daily living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.