Titus 3 explained: Kindness Shown, Kindness Passed On

Living well among neighbors (vv. 1-2)

Paul asks Titus to remind the believers to respect the local authorities and be quick to do good. Early Christians were sometimes accused of stirring up trouble, so being gentle, fair and free of gossip toward everyone mattered, not just toward fellow believers.

Remembering the old life (v. 3)

Paul admits that he and his readers once lived ruled by their own cravings, caught in cycles of resentment and hatred. The point is humility: people who remember their own past have less reason to look down on others.

Rescued by God's kindness (vv. 4-7)

Paul says God saved them out of mercy, not as a reward for good behavior, through a 'washing' most readers take as baptism and through the Holy Spirit, God's own presence. 'Justified' means counted right with God as a gift, and 'heirs' means they can now look forward to life that does not end.

Grace leads to good work (v. 8)

'Trustworthy saying' seems to flag a well known summary of belief. Paul wants Titus to keep stressing it, because people who were treated kindly should put real effort into doing good.

Avoiding pointless fights (vv. 9-11)

Some were arguing over family trees and fine points of the Jewish law. Scholars are not sure exactly what these debates involved, but Paul calls them useless, and says someone who keeps splitting the group gets two warnings before the church stops engaging with them.

Travel plans and goodbye (vv. 12-15)

Paul plans to spend the winter in Nicopolis, probably the city in western Greece, and asks Titus to join him once a replacement arrives. He asks the church to fully supply Zenas, a legal expert, and Apollos, a traveling teacher, as a practical example of the good work he has been urging.

Key verse: Titus 3:5

Where Christians differ

Christians differ over whether the 'washing of rebirth' in verse 5 means baptism itself brings new spiritual life, or whether baptism is an outward sign of an inner change God brings about separately.

Something to think about

Is it easier to be patient with someone when you remember you could have ended up in their place?