Tyndale Open Study NotesTitus 3

The emphasis on sound teaching continues (1:9; 2:1). Now Paul shifts his focus to how the Christian community relates to society in general (compare 1 Timothy 2:2–4). As in Titus 2:1–15, God’s instructions for his people in 3:1–2 are based on his interactions with them (3:3–7; compare study note on 2:11–15). Paul then instructs Titus to avoid pointless arguments and to insist on beneficial teaching (3:8–11).

• Paul might be telling the believers to make a clear distinction between themselves and the disorderly general population. Alternatively, the troublemakers (1:10–15; 3:10) might have adopted disorderly behaviors as a result of their false teachings (as is likely the case in 1 Timothy 2:1–7).

• On relations to rulers and authorities, see 1 Timothy 2:2; Romans 13:1–7.

Being humble and treating everyone with respect is appropriate (3:2). This is especially true when we remember our own condition when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Ephesians 2:1–4; 5:8; Colossians 3:7; 1 Peter 4:3).

This passage might be a summary or quote from traditional teaching (see 1 Timothy 1:15; 2:5–6).

• We should behave toward our fellow humans as God acted toward us—in kindness and love. God’s salvation makes this possible.

• revealed (literally appeared): The Greek word relates to the coming of Christ (also in 2:11, 13; see study note on 1 Timothy 6:14).

• not by … but by: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to deserve salvation and God’s grace (see Galatians 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Ephesians 2:8).

• washing of new birth: See Ezekiel 16:9; John 3:1–15; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22; 2 Peter 1:9.

• and renewal by the Holy Spirit: This demonstrates a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the life of purity (see also Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10).

• The first half of this verse summarizes 3:4–6. The second half supplies the purpose for what God did.

• made us right in his sight (literally having been justified): See Romans 3:20–28; Galatians 2:16–17.

• heirs with the hope of eternal life: The Spirit, as mentioned in Titus 3:5, is often connected to our status as heirs (see Romans 8:15–17; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Gal 4:6–7; Ephesians 1:13–14).

The trustworthy saying is 3:4–7 (compare 1 Timothy 1:15).

a divisive man: This refers to quarrelsome people who are difficult to correct or change (see 1:11, 13).

The letter ends with news in 3:12, a final exhortation (or encouragement) in 3:13–14, greetings, and a blessing in 3:15.

• Evidently Artemas or Tychicus would be Titus’s replacement on Crete. Since Tychicus was in fact sent to Ephesus (see 2 Timothy 4:12), Artemas might have been the one who went to Crete.

• Nicopolis: Several cities had this name. This was most likely a major city on the western coast of the Greek peninsula (a piece of land surrounded mostly by water but connected to the mainland on one side). It is possible Paul had worked here before (see Romans 15:19, which mentions Paul’s activity even further west).

• Zenas and Apollos were involved in spreading the good news about Jesus, and they might have been the ones who delivered this letter to Titus.

• Zenas was probably an expert in Roman law or a Roman jurist (the same word for lawyer is in Luke 7:30; 10:25). His Greek name (which means “gift of Zeus”) makes it unlikely that he was an expert in Jewish law.

• Apollos is presumably the same man as in Acts 18:24; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4–6, 22; 4:6; 16:12.

• everything they need: See 1 Timothy 3:2; 3 John 1:5–8; compare Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6, 11; 2 Corinthians 1:16.

• This final exhortation is connected to the responsibility to take care of Zenas and Apollos (see Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:8, 16; 6:18).

• Our people (that is, followers of Christ) must involve themselves in the life-giving ministry of the good news rather than in the unproductive speculations of the false teachers.

all of you: The letter was addressed to Titus in 1:4, but the whole church was the audience for the letter.