Study inTitus

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Doing What Is Good

Chap 3v9-15

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IntroductionIt was clear in our last study that it is the grace of God alone that is the source of man’s salvation. However, grace is not something that locks us away in a restricted environment. God is gracious that we might be fruitful. Therefore, Paul concludes that that recipients of grace are to be active agents for good in the world, “so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” v8b. Salvation expresses itself in acts of outward service. Note that the expression “good works” occurs fourteen times in the pastoral epistles. Here in Titus it is found in 2v10, 2v14, 3v1 and 3v14.

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IntroductionTo “be careful” v8 means “to ponder” or “consider carefully”. While God can help us to be spontaneous in doing good, good works don’t just happen; they have to be pondered, planned and then implemented. Someone has said that, “The best exercise for the heart is to bend down several times during the day to help someone else”. Peter encourages us to, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Pet.2v12. Do you want to be rich? Then here is the wealth that scripture encourages us to pursue, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Tim. 6:18

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Programme InterruptionGenerous self-giving in the service of others is not easily carried out in an acrimonious environment. The harmony of the church is eroded by controversy and so Paul writes to Titus, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” v9. Titus is told to pursue good things and to avoid useless things. The word “avoid” here means “to be a bystander, to remain aloof,” while the verb tense indicates this is a command, rather than a suggestion. Paul is not saying that we shouldn’t discuss or defend the truth but warns only against ‘foolish’ controversies. We are not to act like morons! The word ‘moron’ shares the same root as the word ‘foolish’. Cf.1 Tim. 6v20-21, 2 Tim. 2v14, 23.

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Programme InterruptionIn the early church, there were those who manufactured myths based on genealogies about angels. Paul identifies them in 1v10 as “mere talkers” also described as “fluent no-nothings.” Some false teachers insisted that angels needed to be worshipped so they spent a lot of time mapping out their supposed backgrounds. Paul says, this is foolish, unprofitable and useless speculation. We must be careful about similar emphasis even today. Bestsellers hit the bookstores and claim that there are special codes for understanding hidden meanings in the Bible or they purport to predict the future. Think of the publicity generated by such books as ‘The Da Vinci Code’.

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Programme InterruptionOthers absorb themselves with a system called ‘numerology,’ which is based on the numbers in Scripture. They claim an ability to predict future events with precision. Some people find all this stuff so intriguing but it is a major distraction? Other false teachers in Crete seem to have overemphasized aspects of the Old Testament law, arguing that certain things were “clean” and other things were “unclean.” This approach prevails and influences the legalism affecting some church fellowships today : their members are forbidden to attend the cinema, ladies are forbidden to wear make-up, these things are considered ‘unclean’.

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Programme InterruptionOthers freely admit, “Oh, I just like a good argument.” They take pleasure in getting under someone else’s skin. Be careful because Paul says it is “unprofitable” [injurious or noxious]. He also describes this kind of approach as “useless” or, “empty/futile.”

There can be legitimate and constructive disagreements within the church regarding doctrine and practice. These discussions can be beneficial as they challenge believers to articulate their faith and examine their traditions. They can drive us nearer to God to seek his guidance and strength.

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Programme InterruptionSelf-centred arguments however, seek to divide the church fellowship and are often no more than mere power-plays by dissenters in the church.

John Chrysostom an early church father writes that very little can be gained arguing with these people because their minds are closed to change. They have consolidated their thinking and are not open to reason or, gracious entreaty.

On the other hand, we should strive to turn misguided and uninformed Christians around in their thinking.

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Programme InterruptionA pitfall of protracted controversy is that it blinds us to the essential. A poster depicts a group of ancient scholars engaged in a heated argument, oblivious to all going on around them. They failed to see in the periphery of their vision hundreds of people looking burdened and broken marching toward a cliff. Some had already fallen off and were plunging into hell. The agony on their faces is contrasted with the indifference on the scholars faces. Scholars who might otherwise have redirected them. Quarrels can remove the focus from what really matters. Was the success of Islam’s advance in its early years due, in part, to the failure of the church to adequately engage in mission. The 3rd-5th centuries were marked by theological debate - the energy of the church was given almost exclusively to that!

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Programme InterruptionIn 1917, when the Russian revolution was taking place in Petrograd, the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church were meeting in the same city. What were they doing? They were arguing over the colour of the priest's robes!Paul labels the factious people mentioned here as self-condemned and perverted using the Greek word ‘ekstrepho’ to describe their behaviour. Ekstrepho literally means ‘twisted’ or ‘to turn inside out’. And it is because such people have proved that they are not open to gentle entreaty, it is because of their twisted, closed-minds, whose argumentativeness is having a debilitative effect, that they are be severed from the fellowship in order that they do no further harm.

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A Necessary ResponseThe decisive action outlined in v10-11 seems to be extreme. Paul is not simply speaking of people who are mere irritants – many of us rub up other believers but rather of those who create divisiveness in the church. The word “divisive” means, “to choose for oneself.” This person is determined to do whatever he wants to do, he has made a conscious and resolute decision to be obstinate and cause dissension. Division is the result, when divisive people are allowed to do and say what they want. The apparent ‘extreme’ action advocated by Paul is to prevent the church from breaking up, from fracturing. It is a removal of that which militates against the defining characteristic of the church that we are seen by the world to “love one another” Jn. 13v35.

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A Necessary ResponsePaul follows the standard set by Jesus in Matt.18v15-17. The warnings have a redemptive and restorative goal.

This person is to be warned twice if necessary, with the hope that he will come back. If not, Paul says, “Have nothing to do with him.” cf. 2 Thess. 3v14-15: “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” cf. Rom. 16v17

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Good Deeds Of ServicePaul moves on in v12 to speak of a mutual ministry. One of great marks of humility in the apostle is his readiness not only to minister to others in need but to acknowledge his own needs and those who meet them. Great apostle that he was, he needed the help and encouragement of others. And so while he speaks of sending ‘Artemas or Tychicus’ to meet Titus’ need he is equally aware of how Titus is able to benefit him and says, "make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there."

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Good Deeds Of ServicePaul is not blinkered, short-sighted or insensitive to the practical and spiritual needs of others. Titus is told to, "Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them." And it was only because hospitality unstintingly given these travelling church workers that the church grew as rapidly as it did.

Paul does not view the work of God as a static entity but one that is constantly pressing out the boundaries in one direction or another while also coming under attack in one place or another. When needs are identified Paul, like an able general, moves his lieutenants into strategic positions.

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Good Deeds Of ServiceIn v14 Paul returns to the central burden of his letter. It is not enough to resist heretical teaching and deal with that which is divisive, these things by themselves can produce a negative imbalance. This can result in a harshness of spirit, a censorious attitude and a fellowship marked only by cold orthodoxy.

This is why congregations must also be encouraged to devote themselves to doing what is good. This is not an optional hobby to be occasionally indulged in but should be the burning passion of our lives - something we are to ‘devote’ ourselves to.

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Good Deeds Of ServiceIndeed, the word for ‘learn’ in v14 is in a present active imperative tense; i.e. they are to ‘keep on learning’ how to devote themselves to good works. We cannot sit back and think we have finished the ‘good works’ course.

How did the early church impress the world? Was it because they had mastered advanced systematic theology? No! but rather by their lifestyle. The world said of them, ‘see how they love one another’. It was their sacrificial love for those of their number who were ill, widowed and imprisoned that shook the ancient world. They lived ‘productive lives’.

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ConclusionSending both greetings and a benediction of grace was never an empty gesture on the part of the apostle. His closing words are rather a reflection of the value placed on each individual within the body of Christ. All were equally valued and had equal access to the storeroom of heaven’s resources.

Imagine some unknown believer on Crete with a poor self- image being told by Titus, ‘Oh and by the way the apostle Paul wants to be remembered to you!’ Now if God’s messenger can value another like that how much more God himself, who is the fount of all grace and blessing! Hallelujah!

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