Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

3:1-11 The emphasis on wholesome teaching (1:9; 2:1) continues; Paul turns now to the relationship of the Christian community with society at large (cp. 1 Tim 2:2-4). As in Titus 2:1-15, God’s instructions for his people (3:1-2) are based on his dealings with them (3:3-7; cp. study note on 2:11-15). Paul then instructs Titus to avoid fruitless disputes and to insist on beneficial teaching (3:8-11).

3:1 Paul might be telling the believers to make a clear distinction between themselves and the unruly common masses. Alternatively, the troublemakers (1:10-15; 3:10) might have adopted unruly behaviors that stemmed from their erroneous teachings (as is likely the case in 1 Tim 2:1-7). • On relations to government . . . officers, see 1 Tim 2:2; Rom 13:1-7.

Verse 3

3:3 Humility (3:2) is fitting, considering our state when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Eph 2:1-4; 5:8; Col 3:7; 1 Pet 4:3).

Verse 4

3:4-7 This passage might be a summary or quote from traditional teaching (see 1 Tim 1:15; 2:5-6).

3:4 We should behave toward our compatriots as God acted toward us—in kindness and love. God’s salvation makes this possible. • revealed (literally appeared): The Greek word relates to the coming of Christ (also in 2:11, 13; see study note on 1 Tim 6:14).

Verse 5

3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).

Verse 7

3:7 The first half of this verse sums up 3:4-6. The second half supplies the purpose for what God did. • made us right in his sight: See Rom 3:20-28; Gal 2:16-17. • inherit eternal life: The Spirit (Titus 3:5) is often linked with our status as heirs (see Rom 8:15-17; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 4:6-7; Eph 1:13-14).

Verse 8

3:8 The trustworthy saying is 3:4-7 (cp. 1 Tim 1:15).

Verse 10

3:10-11 have nothing more to do with . . . people like that: This refers to incorrigibly quarrelsome and divisive people (see 1:11, 13).

Verse 12

3:12-15 The letter closes with news (3:12), a final exhortation (3:13-14), greetings, and a blessing (3:15).

3:12 Evidently Artemas or Tychicus would be Titus’s replacement on Crete. Since Tychicus was in fact sent to Ephesus (see 2 Tim 4:12), Artemas might have been the one who went to Crete. • Nicopolis: Several cities had this name; this was most likely a major city on the western coast of the Greek peninsula. Paul had possibly worked here before (see Rom 15:19, which mentions Paul’s activity even further west).

Verse 13

3:13 Zenas and Apollos were involved in spreading the Good News, and they might have been the couriers of this letter to Titus. • Zenas was probably an expert in Roman law or a Roman jurist (the same word for lawyer is in Luke 7:30; 10:25); his pagan name (“gift of Zeus”) makes it unlikely that he was an expert in Jewish law. • Apollos is presumably the same man as in Acts 18:24; 19:1; 1 Cor 1:12; 3:4-6, 22; 4:6; 16:12. • everything they need: See 1 Tim 3:2; 3 Jn 1:5-8; cp. Rom 15:24; 1 Cor 16:6, 11; 2 Cor 1:16.

Verse 14

3:14 This final exhortation is connected to the responsibility to take care of Zenas and Apollos (see Rom 12:13; Eph 4:28; 1 Thes 4:11; 1 Tim 5:8, 16; 6:18). • Our people must involve themselves in the life-giving ministry of the Good News rather than in the unproductive speculations of the false teachers.

Verse 15

3:15 you all: The letter was addressed to Titus (1:4), but the whole church was the audience for the letter.