Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Tt 3.1 and following. Indeed, our conduct towards the authorities and towards all men must necessarily contrast with what we were “we too” before our conversion. And this memory of our sad state of the past is apt to give us “all sweetness toward all men” (Phil 4:4-7). Far from rising above them, we can invite them by our own example to enjoy the same grace that has regenerated us.
Six times this epistle mentions good works. Under the pretext that they have no value for salvation, we risk underestimating their importance, of being left behind by other less educated Christians on other points of doctrine. On the contrary, we have to be “the first in good works”. For a double purpose: first in order to be useful to men, then in order not to be ourselves without fruit. The Lord likes to produce this fruit in the lives of his people. It is also He who appreciates its nature. Only a work done for Him is good. By selling her perfume for the benefit of the poor, Mary would have done a good work in the eyes of the world, but by spreading it on the Lord’s feet, she was able to do a good work for Him (Mat 26:6-13).
“Rejects the sectarian man after a first and a second admonition, knowing that such a man is perverted and sins, being condemned by himself.”
All the things mentioned, Titus had to avoid them, without seeing in them – however blameworthy they were, and at least useless and vain – cases of exclusion. It was enough to stand apart from “crazy questions” and to remain a stranger to see this unhealthy current that sought to infiltrate among the saints dry up. There were, however, cases where Titus, to whom the apostle had conferred the authority to put the functioning of the assembly “in good order,” had to use that authority to prevent sects. Divisions could be caused within the Assembly by the things mentioned: “disputes, disputes over the law”, etc., without the unity of the body of Christ being attacked. The sects separated the brethren from the assembly itself, and the man who produced them had to be treated unceremoniously. He sought to gather around him a certain number of faithful, constituting himself as a center of gathering. He thus practically denied the unity of the body of Christ and the only center of this unity which is Jesus himself.
The doctrines of such a man may well not be anti-descriptive doctrines, to which one is accustomed to give the name of heresies. It was enough to take a truth out of its place by giving it an exaggerated role in all scriptural doctrines, and to unite Christians around this principle, whether true or false, and around the man who embodied it, to create a sect, which separated itself from the Assembly of Christ. Whoever takes this place and thereby becomes the leader of a party, or of a “church” in his own way, must be unceremoniously rejected, for he has broken unity and insulted Christ, head of the body; but it must not be rejected without a prior admonition, with the aim of removing it from its wrong path and preventing a break in the Assembly. It is also necessary that the admonition is not made hastily. The first must be followed by a second. They must be quite distinct from each other, and solemn. Titus knew by acting with authority, but with measure, that such a man was perverted;his soul was diverted from good to evil, and if he did not repent at the first reprehension, it was because he sinned,knowing and willing; and sin, the own will, is the condemnation of man by himself.
“When I send Artemas to you or Tychique, hurry to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have resolved to spend the winter there. Accompany with care Zenas, the doctor of the law, and Apollos, so that nothing may be missing; and that ours too learn to be the first in good works for the things necessary, so that they may not be fruitless.
All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. May grace be with all of you.” Every word of Sacred Scripture matters. Forlet us first see that the functions of Titus in Crete, contrary to the assertions of theologians, had no permanent character. His mission completed, and when Artemas or Tyshic had come to him, Titus had to hasten to join, at Nicopolis, the apostle who had resolved to spend the winter there. As for Tychica, he is always depicted as sent by Paul to inform the congregations about his own circumstances and to report to the apostle news of their condition. Zenas, the doctor of the law, and Apollos are announced to be about to visit Crete.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Instructions for the conduct of faithful:
- Warning against bad conversions
Eph 4:3 striving to maintain the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Tt 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to the magistrates and the authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to disparage no one, to be peaceful, moderate, full of gentleness towards all men. John 4:11 Do not speak badly of one another, brethren. He who speaks badly of a brother, or who judges his brother, speaks badly of the law and judges the law. Now, if you judge the law, you are not an observer of the law, but you are a judge of it. 1 Pet 2.1 Rejecting therefore all malice and cunning, concealment, envy, and all backbiting,
- Certain lyrics
1 Tim 1:15 It is a certain and entirely worthy word that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. 1 Tim 4:9 This is a certain word and entirely worthy of acceptance. 2 Tim 2:11 This word is certain: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; Tt 3:8 This word is certain, and I want you to affirm these things, so that those who have believed in God may apply themselves to practicing good works.
- Civic duties
Ezr 7:26 Anyone who does not observe punctually the law of your God and the law of the king shall be condemned to death, banishment, a fine, or imprisonment. Mt 17:27 But, so as not to scandalize them, go to the sea, throw the hook, and pull the first fish that will come; open his mouth, and you will find a statère. Take it, and give it to them for me and for you. Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the higher authorities; for there is no authority that does not come from God, and the authorities that exist have been instituted from God. Tt 3.1 Remind them to be subject to the magistrates and the authorities, to obey, to be ready for any good work,
- Good works
Mt 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied by name? Have we not cast out demons by your name? and have we not done many miracles by your name? 23 Then I will say to them openly: I have never known you, withdraw from me, you who commit iniquity. Rom 3:20 For no one shall be justified before him by the works of the law, since it is by the law that the knowledge of sin comes. Gal 2:16
Nevertheless, knowing that it is not by the works of the law that man is justified, but by faith in Jesus Christ, we too have believed in Jesus Christ, that we too may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. Tit 3:4-5 But when the goodness of God our Savior and his love for men were manifested, 5 he saved us, not because of the works of righteousness we would have done, but according to his mercy, through the baptism of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit,
From all the above, we note that Titus did not have to confine himself to his special mission, but to take care of them, so that nothing would be missing. Paul shows here a special solicitude for those who were not especially associated with him in the work. But if Titus were to show this zeal for the foreign brothers who were not part of the apostle’s entourage,”ours”too, he said, that is, all the saints in Crete, had to learn, having such an example before their eyes, to be the first in good works for the necessary things. These “necessary things” were not only to provide for the needs of the poor, but for the needs of Christ’s faithful servants, who are said elsewhere to be “strangers” and “out for the Name” (3 John 7). These good works were a function incumbent upon all the faithful and without which they would have been fruitless. It is seen later that the apostle was still surrounded, at that time, by the brothers who were his usual procession, while in the second epistle to Timothy all had abandoned him, except Luke, his faithful companion and servant (2 Tim 1. 15; 1 Tim 4. 10). The Apostle himself greets those who love him, in that common faith that binds Christians together, as well as with God and with Christ. His last wish, which should continually be ours, is that grace be with all the saints. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the faith and love of Philemon.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.