Titus 3

Titus 3, the final chapter of Paul’s letter to Titus, written around AD 62–64, likely from Macedonia, provides practical instructions for Christian living and church conduct on Crete. Paul emphasizes good works, submission to authorities, and gentleness, while reinforcing salvation by God’s grace and urging Titus to maintain sound doctrine, concluding with personal instructions and a benediction.
Key Sections
Christian Conduct in Society (3:1–2): Paul urges Titus to remind believers to submit to rulers and authorities, be obedient, ready for good works, and avoid slander, quarrels, or malice, showing gentleness to all.
Salvation by God’s Grace (3:3–7): Believers were once foolish, disobedient, and enslaved to passions, but God’s kindness and love appeared, saving them not by works but by His mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, poured out through Christ. Justified by grace, they’re heirs of eternal life.
Focus on Good Works and Doctrine (3:8–11): Paul insists Titus stress good works, profitable for believers, and avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, and quarrels about the law, which are useless. Warn a divisive person once or twice, then reject them, as they’re self-condemned.
Personal Instructions and Greetings (3:12–15): Paul plans to send Artemas or Tychicus to Crete, urging Titus to join him at Nicopolis. Believers should help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, lacking nothing, and learn to devote themselves to good works to meet needs. Paul sends greetings from all with him, praying grace for all.
Cross-References
Submission and Conduct: 
Romans 13:1–7: Obey authorities.

1 Peter 2:13–17: Submit for Lord’s sake.

Ephesians 4:31–32: Put away malice.
Salvation by Grace: 
Ephesians 2:8–9: Not by works.

John 3:5: Born of water and Spirit.

Romans 5:5: Spirit poured out.
Justification and Heirship: 
Galatians 3:26–29: Heirs through faith.

Romans 8:17: Heirs with Christ.

1 Peter 1:3–4: Living hope.
Good Works: 
Ephesians 2:10: Created for good works.

1 Timothy 6:18: Rich in good deeds.

Matthew 5:16: Let light shine.
Avoiding Division: 
1 Timothy 1:4: Avoid myths, genealogies.

Romans 16:17: Avoid divisive people.

Matthew 18:15–17: Correct brothers.
Personal Instructions: 
Acts 20:4: Tychicus’s role.

Acts 18:24–28: Apollos’s ministry.

Philippians 4:3: Support workers.
Theological Meaning
Godly Citizenship: Submission and gentleness reflect faith’s witness in society (3:1–2; Colossians 4:5–6).

Grace Alone: Salvation is God’s merciful gift, not earned, through regeneration and justification (3:5–7; Romans 3:24).

Spirit’s Role: Renewal by the Spirit transforms believers, securing eternal hope (3:5; Ezekiel 36:26–27).

Good Works’ Purpose: Faith produces fruitful deeds, benefiting others and glorifying God (3:8; James 2:17).

Church Discipline: Rejecting divisive people preserves unity and truth (3:10–11; 1 Corinthians 5:11).

Community Support: Helping ministers reflects devotion to God’s mission (3:13; Galatians 6:6).
Questions and Answers
Why submit to rulers (3:1)?
To live peaceably, showing faith’s integrity and readiness for good (3:1; 1 Timothy 2:2).

How were believers “once” (3:3)?
Foolish, enslaved to sin, like Crete’s culture, before God’s grace (3:3; Ephesians 2:1–3).

What is “washing of regeneration” (3:5)?
Likely baptism, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and renewal by the Spirit (3:5; Acts 22:16).

Why stress good works (3:8)?
They’re faith’s fruit, profitable for believers and society (3:8; Titus 2:14).

Who are divisive people (3:10)?
Those causing strife over useless disputes, rejecting correction (3:10; Romans 16:17).

Why help Zenas and Apollos (3:13)?
To support gospel workers, meeting needs and aiding mission (3:13; 3 John 1:6–8).

How does this apply today?
Live godly, trust grace, do good, and support ministry (3:8; 1 Peter 2:12).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to Titus on Crete (Titus 1:5), likely after Paul’s release from Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:30), this chapter addresses a church in a morally lax culture (Titus 1:12). Crete’s piracy and trade (Acts 27:7) fostered division and greed, needing godly conduct (3:1–2). False teachers (Titus 1:10–11) prompted doctrinal clarity (3:9–11).

Cultural Questions: “Rulers” (3:1) likely Roman officials, relevant in Crete’s Roman province (Romans 13:1). “Foolish” (3:3) echoes Crete’s reputation for lying (Titus 1:12). “Regeneration” (3:5) uses Greco-Roman rebirth imagery, countering Crete’s myths (John 3:3). “Genealogies” (3:9) likely Jewish speculations, debated in Crete’s Jewish communities (1 Timothy 1:4). “Divisive” (3:10) uses Greco-Roman legal terms, fitting Crete’s litigious culture (1 Corinthians 6:1–6). “Nicopolis” (3:12) was a Roman city, strategic for Paul’s plans (Acts 19:21).

Application: Titus 3 calls believers to reflect grace through good works, reject division, and support God’s mission. It challenges worldly behavior, doctrinal error, and selfishness, urging a life of mercy and unity in a fractured world (Ephesians 4:1–3; James 1:27).