Paul rounds off his letter to Titus with reminders as to the good works of the believers. These are not for salvation but as a result of our salvation. This is made clear in verses 4-8 which we shall come to in due course.
He begins by reminding them that they are to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (v1,2)
The word ‘remind’ is important for us all, we, as Christians are to respect rulers and authorities even today. You say, what if they are wicked? Paul writing to the Romans, yes to the Romans with their secular authority (13:1,2) said that those in positions of authority have been given by God. And Peter (1 Peter 2:13,14), writing to the believers who had been scattered in the Dispersion in Pontus, tells them to submit for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, king or governors, who have been appointed to punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right. I suppose the argument might arise if the authorities are not punishing the wrong and praising the right. In the Bible, the only limit is set in Daniel and in the Acts of the Apostles, where we have God’s followers obeying God rather than man.
We have to show respect to those in authority, but in view of the passages in Daniel and the Acts, does not necessarily mean we have to always obey them when they pass laws which are opposed to God’s law. The followers of God always showed respect and humility even in those circumstances. They respectfully explained why they wouldn’t conform.
Titus was told to tell the Cretans, not to be passive but to be ready for every good work. In 1:10 their reputation was of being insubordinate, thus, to be ready for every good work was a tall order. Also, in that same chapter they were described as lazy gluttons so, again it wasn’t normal for them to be ready for work.
Not only were Cretans lazy gluttons but they were always liars, idle talkers, deceivers and evil beasts, but Titus was told to remind the people to “Speak evil of no one… peaceable… gentle, showing all humility to all men:” (v1,2) Again, this was no easy task, teaching the local people to be what they were not by nature. Once more this is so up to date for people are very much like this today. Interestingly Titus was to teach these new believers these practical virtues. We don’t hear much teaching like this in our churches today, perhaps we need to. This shows what a change in life can be brought about by the power of God to bring about distinctive changes in character and behaviour.
Paul goes on to say that “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” (v3) He is not asking them to do something which he has not done himself. He admits that he was among those who were once foolish, disobedient etc. Paul, himself was a changed man and the power of God had accomplished great things in his own life, and he was living proof that it was possible. All this was and is possible according to verses 4-8 “But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 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.”
The kindness and love of God reached out to us who didn’t deserve it. We could never earn it, even our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) which means that when humanity’s best self-driven efforts are compared to God’s perfect, flawless holiness, they fall completely.
The gospel is about the grace and mercy of God to save a fallen mankind. None of us could measure up to God’s standards. Salvation is from The Lord (Jonah 2:9). It is not by works so that no-one could boast (Ephesians 2:9). The mention of washing of regeneration has led some to think that this a reference to water baptism but water baptism does not produce new birth, rather it is a testimony that new birth has already taken place. Other Bible commentators suggest that this washing is the act of God in a person’s life. Our sins are washed away through the blood of Christ.
We’ve already said that works do not save us, it is faith alone, grace alone, but they should follow. Paul says here that we who have believed should carefully maintain good works. That’s what we are saved for.
“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” (v9-11)
We are often guilty of wasting time on foolish disputes, but Paul reminds Titus to avoid these and teach his young believers to do the same. He tells them that they are unprofitable and useless. He was also to reject a divisive man but not until he has been admonished once and then twice. This indicates that some effort has to be made to put him on the straight and narrow, certainly once and then again, but after that to reject them if they persist on going their own way. It is clear that they are warped and sinning and even condemning themselves.
Paul’s closing remarks come in verses 12-15 where he firstly mentions those who are faithful workers.
“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. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.” (v12,13)
It indicates that Paul has other workers who are diligent and can be relied upon. He proposes to send Artemas or Tychicus to Crete and when he does, he requests Titus to join him in Nicopolis where he is to spend the winter. Both these men are reliable and could take the place of Titus for a time or even permanently. It is clear that the Christian work is expanding and there are reliable workers in other places too.
So far as I’m aware Artemas is only mentioned once, here, in the New Testament, so very little else is known about him. Paul has every confidence in him as a believer.
Tychicus is mentioned elsewhere. He seems to be a trusted companion, most famous for delivering letters written by Paul to churches. He accompanied Onesimus back to Philemon together with a letter as well as the letter to the Colossian church. He was also sent to Ephesus, described as a faithful minister and fellow servant, to encourage the church there. Some Bible scholars believe that he also read and explained the letters to the churches. In Acts 20:4 he joined Paul with his travelling party to help deliver a financial gift to the church in Jerusalem.
Zenas, a lawyer and Apollos are seemingly in Crete and Paul instructs Titus to send them on their way with support. We often think of the first followers of Jesus being relatively unlearned men. Many were fishermen, some tax collectors etc., but it is clear that the message had reached some learned men such as Luke, the doctor and here Zenas the lawyer, as well as Paul himself who was a learned man, taught by one of the leading teachers, Gamaliel, but who was probably not a believer.
This is the only mention of Zenas who was evidently not a prominent man. We have no record of his sermons, teaching or anything else apart from him being a lawyer. He was clearly part of a team and that was important to Paul, and he deserved support.
Paul wrote elsewhere that christians are like members of a body, each having different roles, but each one vitally important even if one is not in the spotlight. It is just the same today in the church of Jesus Christ.
The final mention is of Apollos, who is mentioned elsewhere. He is considered to be a well educated and eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria, Egypt. He is best known for his preaching and knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. We come across him in Acts 18:24-28. He travelled to Ephesus and taught boldly in the synagogue, but his understanding was incomplete, being only acquainted with John’s baptism. Aquila and Priscilla, friends of Paul, explained more fully about the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. He was undoubtedly a believer, but there were gaps in his understanding. As a result of the teaching given by Aquila and Priscilla, he preached correctly.
1 Corinthians 3 we are told that there was division in the church over Apollos, who had a following. Some were saying that they were of Paul, others of Apollos. This division was not of the instigation of Apollos, and Paul correctly put this right. Apollos clearly received the teaching of others with humility and both Paul and Apollos recognised that they were simply servants of Christ, and they continued in their relationship in the gospel.
Again, Paul asks that he be sent on his journey and be well provided for.
Paul’s final words are like a benediction – “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” (v14,15)
Again, he urges them to learn and continue in good works, to meet urgent needs, and so be fruitful. It is vital that we continue in this today to be fruitful. These good works are not to obtain salvation but as a result of it. There are greetings from all who are with Paul and to all in the faith. He ends as we often to, Grace be with you all, Amen. He began the letter with similar words to Titus but ends with a greeting to all.
