REMIND YOUR PEOPLE. Crete had been under Roman control for about 100 years at this time, but the people were restive! The _circumcision party_ said no believer in the True God had any responsibility to the civil government and its laws, because these things were purely human. Paul had to fight again... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT TO SPEAK EVIL of anyone because of his race or religion. PEACEFUL AND FRIENDLY. A Christian is not to be _contentious,_ but to keep his temper, be ready to forgive others, avoid prejudice, be honest and fair, and try to live at peace with everyone. _See_ James 3:17-18.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE OURSELVES. Paul speaks of "we Christians" in general, not himself. FOOLISH, DISOBEDIENT, and wrong. "Even we Jews can't _talk about others,_ because we were once foolish in our thinking about religion and the traditions handed down to us. So the very same thing is true of both Jews and Gentil... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN. "The only reason any of us are different _now,_ is that God our Savior _acted in Christ_ to set us free!... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAVED US. "We could not save ourselves, so He acted to give us a way out of our doom!" See Romans 8:1-4 and notes. IT WAS NOT BECAUSE. We could not place an obligation on Him! BUT BECAUSE. His own mercy, based on his _love_ (1 John 4:8-10), is the reason why he saved us! THROUGH. God requires us... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD POURED OUT. God showed that he would accept the Gentiles, by pouring out the Holy Spirit on them (Acts 10:44_ and note)._ Joel had predicted this (Acts 2:16-21). Every Christian has the Holy Spirit as a gift (Acts 5:32_ and note)._... [ Continue Reading ]
WE MIGHT BE PUT RIGHT WITH GOD. God's act in Christ makes it possible for us to change! [Justify = pronounce _not guilty._] Compare Romans 2:13; Romans 8:4 and notes. AND COME INTO POSSESSION. As _adopted_ children of God, everything He has belongs to us as well!!!... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS A TRUE SAYING. What he has just pointed out in Titus 3:4-7. SPECIAL EMPHASIS. "Belief in God is not just some idea to argue about; it is a whole new way of life! Good works help others, and they make the one who does them happy both in this world and in the next!... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AVOID STUPID ARGUMENTS. See note on Titus 1:15. The _circumcision party_ were very proud of their family records, and tried to use such things to make slaves of the Gentile Christians. See 1 Timothy 1:3-4 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE AT LEAST TWO WARNINGS. Stupid arguments are dangerous things to the life of the congregation. Those who start trouble about such things must be dealt with firmly. THEN HAVE NOTHING MORE. This is what Jesus said to do with such a person (Matthew 18:15-17). But notice this is the _final_ action,... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SINS PROVE THAT HE IS WRONG. It is a waste of time to argue with such a person. He is self-condemned, because his separation from the church is due to his own act. Paul would say this one is condemned by his former spiritual self. _But notice_ Jude 1:22-23.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I SEND. It was important that someone be there on Crete to replace Titus. Titus was not "bishop of Crete" in the modern sense, but a _teaching evangelist_ (see note on Ephesians 4:11), and so were Artemas (who is only mentioned here) and Tychicus. NICOPOLIS. A town in the edge of Dalmatia (Illy... [ Continue Reading ]
ZENAS THE LAWYER AND APOLLOS. "Teachers of the Law" were often called _lawyers._ Zenas is mentioned only here, We met Apollos in Acts 18:24, etc. It was standard practice for congregations to help the evangelists on their travels, with money and supplies.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PROVIDE FOR REAL NEEDS. Such as mentioned in Titus 3:13. Christianity teaches a "work-ethic" (see Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13). The _gospel_ does have a _social side!_... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL WHO ARE WITH ME. As an apostle, Paul was always a center of religious activity. It is probable that he taught a "school of preaching," in which he trained evangelists to send out. The apostle John did this. WITH YOU ALL. The form of Paul's final greeting implies he intended all the Christians on... [ Continue Reading ]