Titus Chapter 3

INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew's Bible
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop's Bible
King James/Authorized Bible

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Start of study

Titus Chapter 3: LIVING PEACEABLY

(Titus 3:1-2 [KJV])
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

These Christians had just left the rebellious-against-God, reveling life, drinking, fighting nightly,
The very next verse ("for we ourselves were sometimes") demands that this is of unbelievers, not believers who walk away, not false believers feigning their faith, but the state that these believers were once in, to not return back to it, those who Paul clearly states must be rebuked, exhorted, shunned, avoided etc. as necessary
Believers who are apostates or phony in the churches Paul consistently and constantly admonished, asked others to expose, admonish, then shun and avoid
In other words, if they are not personally bothering you in daily dealings, have done nothing against you, leave them alone, because God will recompense them
To be peaceable in society will convict more than being trouble makers, rabble rousers, firebrands, agitators, stirring the pot of hatred and violence NOT for the cause of Christ, but in anger, hatred, revenge, etc.
The Gospel then, as now, was enough trouble for any leaders at any level of any society, so they themselves needed not add to it, as they WERE trouble by their very existence; they di not need to unnecessarily CAUSE trouble

(Titus 3:3 [KJV])
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

This was all of our past, and Paul is no exception, saying "we ourselves", as in Paul, Titus, Timothy, Barnabas, Mark, Silas, all of us, as in you, as in me
Every reason that we were is listed there in commas, unable to think clearly, unruly, blind as a bat, serving the fleshly lusts which entice us, hating others and wanting what they have for ourselves

(Titus 3:4-7 [KJV])
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

That was then.......so NOW, now that grace appeared, now that we were extended mercy from the punishment of sin and death, now that were were plucked from and have escaped the flames, now that we have faith in something (Someone) outside of ourselves, now that we have a living Spirit in us
Now wea re members of the Royal Family, not of this world, be the heavenly one, the eternal one, the one with the King on His Eternal Throne, the King of kings, the LORD of lords Who is now our LORD

(Titus 3:8 [KJV])
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Paul wants Titus to constantly remind them of what God did for them, and now remind them als owhat they need to do because of it, because they can by the Holy Ghost which is in them
Not just do good works, but maintain them, continue in them, keep at it, never stop
The very word "maintain" is from manus, by hand, and the Latin i>teneo, to keep
Keeping the hand to the plow, keep hanging on to it with the hands and do not let go
The work of God helps all, even if they do not notice or acknowledge it

MAINTA'IN, v.t. [L. manus and teneo.]

To hold, preserve or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present character or reputation.
To hold; to keep; not to lose or surrender; as, to maintain a place or post.
To continue; not to suffer to cease; as, to maintain a conversation.
To keep up; to uphold; to support the expense of; as, to maintain state or equipage.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children.
To support with food, clothing and other conveniences; as, to maintain a family by trade or labor.
To support by intellectual powers, or by force of reason; as, to maintain an argument.
To support; to defend; to vindicate; to justify; to prove to be just; as, to maintain one's right or cause.
To support by assertion or argument; to affirm. In tragedy and satire, I maintain that this age and the last have excelled the ancients.

(Titus 3:9 [KJV])
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Foolish questions, such as "What was God doing before He created everything?"
Foolish questions, such as "Was it an apple Adam and Eve ate?"
Foolish questions, such as "How did Noah fit all of those animals on the ark?"
Endless genealogies, meaning "over millions of years", "millions of years ago" and sticking that in the Word of God in Genesis, when it clearly does not fit
Anything can be a contention to a contentious person who want to argue, be right all of the time, but especially here, strivings about the law and keeping it, versus grace, mercy, faith

(Titus 3:10-11 [KJV])
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Admonish them twice, because the first time they did not want to get it, then say goodbye to them, avoid them, shun them
After two times it is obvious they steadfastly refuse the truth

(Titus 3:12 [KJV])
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

This is the only mention of Artemas, here in this verse
Nicopolis was originally from Nike, victory + Polis, city

TYCHICUS

Tychicus was from Asia
Tychicus was close to Paul, helpful, faithful and fruitful in the ministry
He both traveled with Paul, and was sent to travel by and for Paul, for the LORD's Work, as a messenger, evangelist, to help disciple, strengthen, build, plant churches

(Acts 20:4 [KJV])
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

(Ephesians 6:21 [KJV])
But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

(Colossians 4:7 [KJV])
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

(2 Timothy 4:12 [KJV])
And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

(Titus 3:13 [KJV])
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

This is the only mention of Zenas, that he was a lawyer. It isn not clear whether this was in Roman (less likely) or Jewish (more likely) law but, either way, he is now a faithful minister of the gospel
Apollos was determined to be from Alexandria, Egypt, with a Greco-Roman name of their god, apparently a good orator, articulate as a lawyer would be to argue before the court, with a command of the language, eloquent
Titus is herein instructed to take care of whatever needs they have when they arrive, while they are ministering to the churches
Apparently had enough disciples that some would say that they were "of Apollos", like others would say, "I am of Paul", because of influence, time spent discipling
There is no indication that Apollos thought himself more than he was, a servant of the LORD with Paul

APOLLOS

(Acts 18:24 [KJV])
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

(Acts 19:1 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

(1 Corinthians 1:12 [KJV])
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

(1 Corinthians 3:4 [KJV])
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

(1 Corinthians 3:5-6 [KJV])
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

(1 Corinthians 3:22 [KJV])
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

(1 Corinthians 4:6 [KJV])
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

(1 Corinthians 16:12 [KJV])
As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

(Titus 3:13 [KJV])
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

(Titus 3:14 [KJV])
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

They were to be "tentmakers", as in both working to profvide for themselves and their families so as not to be a burden, and doing ministry as well

(Titus 3:15 [KJV])
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Paul's common final words
Greet them, because the Cross has a horizontal part, which is toward others, suspended upon the veritical, which is God toward us
Love us "in the faith", the brethren, the body of Christ, the family of God's people
This is a prayer, recorded in ink on paper for Titus, Tychicus, Zenas, Apollos, himself and also the body there

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Philemon