Titus 3:1-9

Read Titus 3:1-9 

Helpful Background Information: 

• Titus had worked and traveled with Paul in the past, helping out in a few challenging situations (Galatians 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 7-8). In this letter, we see that Titus was given the task of going to Crete, an island off the coast of Greece, to bring back a sense of order to a network of churches in local towns (1:5). In that day, the culture of Crete had quite the reputation—so much so that one of the Greek words for being a liar was “to be a Cretan.” The people of Crete were widely known for their greed and deceptive behavior. When some of these Cretans started following Jesus, however, it became even more clear that God could save and transform even the worst of sinners. 

• In chapter three, Paul focuses on how the gospel informs the way these new believers are to live in the Cretan society they inhabit. Of all people, they should be the best kind of citizens—ones that are peaceable, ready to do good, and gentle toward everyone (vv.1-2). To sustain this countercultural way of living, the believers needed to remember that they too were once enslaved to sin (v.3). They themselves were once lost in sin until God made a way for salvation through Jesus (vv.4-8). The grace and mercy they have received leaves no room for arrogance or unnecessary divisiveness (v.9). 

Reflection Questions: 

• Reread Titus 3:3. Apart from Christ, this verse describes all of us. What specific sins have you found yourself most susceptible to?

• Reread Titus 3:4-8. With Christ, these verses describe all of us. Try to summarize these verses in your own words.

• Reread verse 9. As a follower of Jesus, there are certain controversies and arguments that simply aren’t worth your time. Instead, the first two verses of this chapter describe what believers should be concerned with. Close your time in prayer, asking God to help you live in a way that is consistent with the lifestyle described in verses 1 and 2.