Titus 3
Big idea: The gospel's conduct now turns outward: be good citizens and gentle toward everyone (vv. 1–2) — grounded in the memory that we too were once foolish and enslaved, until God's kindness and mercy saved us through the washing of regeneration, making us heirs of eternal life (vv. 3–7). On that basis Paul urges Titus to insist on good works, avoid futile controversies and divisive people, attend to real needs, and closes with travel plans and greetings (vv. 8–15).
The letter completes its arc: doctrine (2:11–14; 3:4–7) → transformed people → good works spilling into the public world. The 'good works' refrain that ran through chapters 1–2 lands here as citizenship, kindness to all, and meeting 'necessary needs' — the gospel made visibly useful.
3:1–2 — Be good citizens, gentle to all
The believer's posture in the wider world: submissive to rulers and authorities, obedient, ready for every good work, speaking evil of no one, avoiding quarrels, gentle, showing perfect courtesy toward all people.
1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3:3–7 — But God saved us
The ground of the gentleness just commanded: we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, enslaved to passions, hateful — no better than anyone. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us — not by our works of righteousness but according to his mercy — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, poured out richly through Jesus Christ, so that justified by grace we might become heirs of the hope of eternal life.
3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
3:8–11 — Insist on good; avoid the divisive
Application of the two salvation statements: this saying is trustworthy, and Paul wants Titus to insist on it so that believers devote themselves to good works — excellent and profitable for people. By contrast, he is to shun foolish controversies, genealogies, and quarrels about the law, which are useless. A divisive person, after a first and second warning, is to be avoided — such a one is warped and self-condemned.
8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; 9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a one is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.
3:12–15 — Final instructions and greeting
Closing logistics that still carry the letter's theme. Paul will send Artemas or Tychicus; Titus should then join him at Nicopolis for the winter. He is to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, lacking nothing. And 'our people' must learn to devote themselves to good works meeting urgent needs, so they are not unfruitful. Final greetings; grace be with you all.
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. 14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).