1. upomimnhske autouV arcaiV kai exousiaiV upotassesqai peiqarcein proV pan ergon agaqon etoimouV einai
2. mhdena blasfhmein amacouV einai epieikeiV pasan endeiknumenouV praothta proV pantaV anqrwpouV
3. hmen gar pote kai hmeiV anohtoi apeiqeiV planwmenoi douleuonteV epiqumiaiV kai hdonaiV poikilaiV en kakia kai fqonw diagonteV stughtoi misounteV allhlouV
4. ote de h crhstothV kai h filanqrwpia epefanh tou swthroV hmwn qeou
5. ouk ex ergwn twn en dikaiosunh wn epoihsamen hmeiV alla kata ton autou eleon eswsen hmaV dia loutrou paliggenesiaV kai anakainwsewV pneumatoV agiou
6. ou execeen ef hmaV plousiwV dia ihsou cristou tou swthroV hmwn
7. ina dikaiwqenteV th ekeinou cariti klhronomoi genwmeqa kat elpida zwhV aiwniou
8. pistoV o logoV kai peri toutwn boulomai se diabebaiousqai ina frontizwsin kalwn ergwn proistasqai oi pepisteukoteV tw qew tauta estin ta kala kai wfelima toiV anqrwpoiV
9. mwraV de zhthseiV kai genealogiaV kai ereiV kai macaV nomikaV periistaso eisin gar anwfeleiV kai mataioi
10. airetikon anqrwpon meta mian kai deuteran nouqesian paraitou
11. eidwV oti exestraptai o toioutoV kai amartanei wn autokatakritoV
12. otan pemyw arteman proV se h tucikon spoudason elqein proV me eiV nikopolin ekei gar kekrika paraceimasai
13. zhnan ton nomikon kai apollw spoudaiwV propemyon ina mhden autoiV leiph
14. manqanetwsan de kai oi hmeteroi kalwn ergwn proistasqai eiV taV anagkaiaV creiaV ina mh wsin akarpoi
15. aspazontai se oi met emou panteV aspasai touV filountaV hmaV en pistei h cariV meta pantwn umwn amhn [proV titon thV krhtwn ekklhsiaV prwton episkopon ceirotonhqenta egrafh apo nikopolewV thV makedoniaV]
Footnotes:
3:1-2 - Paul exhorts Christians to be obedient to those in authority, living with gentleness and humility. Christian witness should not be marked by rebellion, but by good works and respect for others (see also Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17).
3:3-7 - Paul recalls how we once were, living in sin, but we were saved by God's mercy. Salvation is by grace, not by works, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit transforms us (see also Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17).
3:8 - Paul emphasizes that good works are the natural result of genuine faith. The Christian life should be characterized by actions that glorify God and testify to our transformation (see also Matthew 5:16 and James 2:14-26).
3:9-11 - Paul warns against foolish arguments and disputes that create divisions. The unity of the church depends on faithfulness to the truth, and dividers must be firmly corrected (see also Romans 16:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
3:12-15 - Paul gives final instructions, including the need to support missionaries and do good works. He concludes with a call to live in harmony and be committed to God's mission (see also 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 and Philippians 4:8).
Verses related to Tito, 3:
Titus chapter 3 focuses on Christian life in society. How should believers relate to the world? This balanced text urges submission to authorities and the practice of good works, remembering the transformation wrought by God's grace. The chapter covers topics such as regeneration by the Holy Spirit, justification by grace and the inheritance of eternal life. Paul also warns against useless divisions and controversies in the church. Consider with us five biblical passages that correlate with the practical principles of this relevant chapter.
Romans 13:1: "Everyone must submit to government authorities, as there is no authority that does not come from God; the authorities that exist were established by him." - This verse echoes Paul's instructions in Titus 3:1 about submission to authorities.
Ephesians 2:8-9: "For you are saved by grace, through faith, and this does not come from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, lest any man should boast." - This passage reflects Paul's teaching in Titus 3:5 about salvation by God's grace, not by works.
2 Timothy 2:23: "Avoid foolish and unqualified controversies, for you know that they provoke quarrels." - Paul gives similar advice in Titus 3:9, warning against foolish arguments and controversies.
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against these things there is no law." - These fruits of the Spirit reflect the good works that Paul encourages in Titus 3:14.
Matthew 18:15-17: "If your brother sins against you, go and, alone with him, show him his error. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two others with you, so that 'any accusation may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to you, tell the church; and if he refuses to listen also to the church, treat him as a pagan or a tax collector." - This procedure for dealing with sin in the church aligns with Paul's instructions in Titus 3:10-11 about dealing with divisive people.
FAQ:
How should Christians relate to authorities?
They must be submissive, obedient, and ready for every good work, avoiding contention and speaking with gentleness. (Titus 3:1-2)
What does Paul teach about salvation in Titus 3?
Salvation does not come by works, but by God's mercy through regeneration by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5-7)
What to avoid to maintain unity in the church?
Paul advises avoiding foolish arguments, genealogies, disputes, and debates about the law, for they are useless. (Titus 3:9)
How to deal with a factional person in the church?
After one or two warnings, such a person should be avoided, for he has gone astray and is in sin. (Titus 3:10-11)
What is the relationship between good works and the Christian faith?
Christians should practice good works as a reflection of their faith, being fruitful in the Christian life. (Titus 3:8, 14)
