Titus - remind and insist
Titus 3:1-8
Through God's mercy in Christ, Christians are heirs of eternal life, and in need of reminding about how this should affect their behaviour.
Audio from the author
#training
#heirs
#works
Published May 22nd, 2016
5th Pass
Phrase
5th Pass
Christians are heirs with the hope of eternal life. This is all God's doing. We were corrupt and undeserving, but, in his mercy, he has cleansed us and given us new life and a new hope. This truth - what we were and what God has subsequently done - is the grounds for our behaviour towards others. Just as God did not respond to us according to our works, Christians are not to deal with others according to theirs. Let's dwell here; Because of God's merciful dealing with me and the resultant hope of eternal life, I should be: - submissive to those who have authority over me (e.g. at work) - obedient to the authorities - primed and prepared, equipped, for good works - speaking evil of no one - avoiding getting into petty arguments that go nowhere - gentle - perfectly courteous towards all people (e.g. with my family, at work, at church, in the shops etc. etc.) And teachers are to remind the people of these things - in fact, they need to drill their people in them (' insist on them' ) - so that they understand them and bear the fruit that is fitting. Christians need to be reminded of what they were (sinners), what they now are (heirs), how they got there (God's mercy through Christ), and how, consequently, they should live (humble doers of good). These truths are excellent for everyone.
notes
Phrase
NT
Titus 3:1-8
esv
mine
Remind them
to be submissive
Content #1
to rulers and authorities,
Reference
to be obedient,
Content #2
to be ready
Content #3
for every good work,
Purpose
to speak evil
Content #4
of no one,
to avoid quarreling,
Content #5
to be gentle,
Content #6
and to show perfect courtesy
Content #7
toward all people.
For we ourselves were once foolish,
disobedient,
led astray,
slaves
to various passions
Source
and pleasures,
passing our days
Manner
in malice
Content
and envy,
hated
by others
Explanation
and hating one another.
[...] when the goodness
Temporal
and loving kindness ... appeared,
of God
our Savior
[But] he saved us,
not because of works
Negative
done by us
in righteousness,
Context
but according to his own mercy,
Standard
by the washing
Means
of regeneration
and renewal
of the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly
through Jesus Christ
Agency
[who is] our Savior,
so that being justified
Advantage
by his grace
we might become heirs
according to the hope
of eternal life.
The saying is trustworthy,
and I want you
to insist
on these things,
so that those
who have believed
in God
may be careful
to devote themselves
to good works.
These things are excellent
and profitable
for people.
Know that you are heirs.
Christians need to be reminded of what they were, how they came to their new status and what that status is, and how they should therefore live.
How does 'according to his own mercy' work? According to would seem to denote a Standard, but could it also be a Ground. i.e. he saved us, because of his mercy.
God saved us because of his mercy, not because of our works.
phrasing
Comments
Tim Minge
Andy Hubert
Christians need to be reminded of what they were (sinners), what they now are (heirs), how they got there (God's mercy through Christ), and how, consequently, they should live (humble doers of good). ...
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.