Titus 3:8-11

TRUTH AND ERROR Titus 3:8-11

Text 3:8-11

8 Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:
9 but shun foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;
11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.

Thought Questions 3:8-11

138

What is the faithful saying?

139

Concerning what things is Titus to affirm confidently?

140.

Were the saints on Crete so weak that they needed constant help? Explain.

141.

What things are good and profitable to all men? Who is included in all men?

142.

Try to approximate the circumstances prevailing with Titus, as he followed out the command to shun foolish questionings, etc., i.e. just how would he accomplish it?

143.

Are foolish questionings and genealogies the same as strifes and fightings about the law? Discuss possible distinctions.

144.

In what sense unprofitable and in what sense vain?

145.

Who is to determine when a man is factious? It could be done with the churches on Creteit can be done nowhow?

146.

Just what is involved in the first and second admonition?

147.

Is this a discussion of disfellowship?

148.

How could Titus be so confident that certain men were perverted, self-condemned?

149.

Define the word perverted, i.e. in its context.

Paraphrase 3:8-11

8 This doctrine, that men are justified and made heirs merely by God's grace, is true; yet, concerning these heirs, I command thee strongly to affirm, that they who have believed in God should take care to promote good works. These are the things honourable and profitable to men: They are good for others, as making them happy; and most profitable to one's self, as productive of happiness both here and hereafter.
9 But the frivolous questions proposed by the Judaizers, and the genealogies by which they pretend to prove individuals rightly descended from Abraham, and their strifes and fighting about the law, resist; for they are unprofitable, and destitute of foundation.
10 An heretical teacher, who, after a first and second admonition, continues in his evil courses, cast out of the church, and have no further communication with him, because he is irreclaimable;
11 Knowing that such a teacher is utterly depraved, and in teaching false doctrine from worldly motives, sinneth, being self condemned.

Comment 3:8-11

Titus 3:8 As near as we can conclude the faithful saying is contained in verses four through seven. It is with the content of this word, Paul is concerned. He urges Titus to speak with all confidence and assurance. Unlike the law teachers who knew not of the things they so confidently affirmed, Titus can speak with the confidence of inspired and experimental knowledge, There is a grand purpose in such continual instruction; that they who have believed may be careful to maintain good works. Unless men are often reminded of their duties and privileges, they soon forget. Titus had been heralding forth the good news. Paul, urges him to keep it up and to look for the fruit in the lives of the saints in the form of good works.

To what does the little phrase: These things are good and profitable to all men refer? What are the things and who are the men? We cannot relate this to only the faithful saying of the verses immediately preceding. We believe it has a wider applicationindeed to all that is written in the letter. All the advice and doctrine here written is good and profitable, not alone to the Christians, but to all menbelievers or unbelievers. If the world wants a good and profitable philosophy of life, they cannot do better than to follow Paul.

Titus 3:9 Now to the negative side of the work of Titus! As Titus was to continue to teach the whole council of God, he was also urged to continue to ignore silly questions and discussions about genealogies. When strife and word-battles arise, turn your back upon them. Do not enter into a discussion as to who is right or wrong, Neither is rightthey are both wrong. Here is the place for contempt. Lenski describes such persons as, ... full of a lot of silly stuff that was unworthy of serious attention and created nothing but fussing and fighting with true Christians, and deceived those Christians who were not yet well grounded. (Ibid., p. 941). Such advice is very much like that given by Paul to Timothy (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:4-7).

Titus 3:10. How shall we relate Titus 3:10 with Titus 3:9? Or should we see a connection between the two verses? We believe the heretical man of Titus 3:10 is one who has been beguiled from the faith by the teachers of Titus 3:9. If such treatment as described in Titus 3:10 is accorded the disciples of false doctrine, what shall be the action taken against the teacher? It will be the same. A factious man is any man who holds any opinion different from the Scriptures. It makes little difference if the opinion be considered important or unimportant. If he teaches it as from God and it is not in accord with the Word of God, he is a heretic! He should be treated in the manner here described. Please notice that a factious man and a heretic are the same mana heretic is one who holds his own opinion in the realm of faith.

Titus 3:11. This verse indicates the seriousness of the sin committed, from the viewpoint of the one committing the sin. Such a one is perverted or turned out from the true doctrine of Christ, When the elders from the church attempt to lead him back into the path of truth, he rejects both attempts. Yet all the while his conscience condemns him. This is no pagan unbeliever; this is a prominent member of the Church. Even while loudly and energetically promoting his own opinion, he is yet aware that he is wrong and is, therefore, sinning. But because of the popularity, the money or the prestige, he will not listen; he will not changeit costs him too much by human values. No one need condemn him; he is self-condemned. What a havoc such a one can cause both to himself and to those who heed him. Let all the members of the churches give such a one the cold shoulder of indifference.

Fact Questions 3:8-11

91.

What is it Titus is to affirm confidently? Show how his effort would be like, yet different from, the law-teachers of 1 Timothy 1:4-7.

92.

Who are the persons involved in the little phrase, all men of Titus 3:8 b? What is profitable to them?

93.

What is to be done when strife and word-battles arise? Is there a present day application of this situation? If so, discuss.

94.

Show how Matthew 18:15-17 relates to Titus 3:10.

95.

How does one become a heretic? Is there an admonition here to public disfellowship? Discuss.

96.

What is the meaning and use of the term perverted as used in Titus 3:11?

97.

Explain how such a one as the heretic is self-condemned. Do you believe this applies to all factious men and women? Discuss.

98.

What are some of the comparisons and contrasts of Cretan churches and those today?