Titus 3

What’s Happening?

Crete was known for its internal division and fighting spirit. So the apostle Paul ends his letter by telling Titus’ church they should be better citizens of Crete than their neighbors and avoid pointless arguments (Titus 3:1-2). After all, like their neighbors are now, they were once slaves to their darker passions, selfishness, and hate (Titus 3:3). But then God’s kindness appeared to them in the message of Jesus (Titus 3:4). In mercy, God saved them from their darkness, despite what their hate and combativeness deserved (Titus 3:5). Generously and without provocation, Jesus has recreated their hearts, renewed their minds, and given them his Spirit. In love, God has made them sons and daughters who stand to inherit an eternal life free from conflict (Titus 3:6-7). Since this is what God has done, despite their past hatred, Titus’ church should devote themselves to being peaceful citizens of Crete and good neighbors to their argumentative peers (Titus 3:8). 

Contrary to this message from Paul, some teachers on Crete had imported the conspiratorial and argumentative bent of Crete into their conversations about the Hebrew Bible (Titus 3:9). Paul warns that getting lost in arguments like this will hamstring their ability to obey and follow Jesus. Jesus was peaceable, gentle, and considerate. Any teacher who refuses to be corrected on this matter needs to be removed from leadership (Titus 3:10). Crete’s mean-spirited culture has no place in teaching the Bible since God speaks and saves through kindness (Titus 3:4-5). 

Soon, Paul says, he will send some friends Titus’ way. When they arrive, it will be the perfect opportunity for Titus' church to practice devotion to the good works, hospitality, and kindness he’s described (Titus 3:12-14).

Where is the Gospel?

Crete never had a monopoly on division, combativeness, mutual distrust, and hate. This is the bent of all cultures and all humans who care deeply about almost anything. In reality it’s impossible not to divide the world into “us” and “them” and then fight tooth and claw for our side. Thankfully, God has mercifully appeared to save us from this and show us a different way.

Jesus was always too wise to get sucked into controversies by teachers who wanted to trap him in his words. He didn’t come to argue people into God’s family. Jesus tactfully turned down their debates in favor of showing sacrificial kindness (Matthew 12:1-6; Mark 12:17). Jesus knew the best way to free people enslaved to their cultural hate wasn’t to fight fire with fire, but to extend sacrificial kindness to those who did not deserve or earn it. When Jesus appeared, he did good to his opponents, showed kindness to those trapped in their outrage, and died for his enemies (Romans 5:10). 

And in doing so, he transformed people like us. We were once God’s enemies, but now we’re sons and daughters. Filled by his Spirit, our hearts no longer desire what they once did and our minds are spiritually rewired to desire peace and good, especially towards those who disagree with us. Like Paul tells Titus’ church, we are not saved to argue about controversies. We are saved to devote ourselves to good works. And through works of sacrificial gentleness and peace, we will see cultures, people, and enemies changed. 

So act like you’ve been saved from a culture of outrage and arguments. Know that through being better citizens than our neighbors and seeking their peace, Jesus will save. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who appears in kindness. And may you see Jesus as the one who saved us from our hate and combativeness through his sacrificial love on the cross.