Bible Commentaries
Titus 3

Verse 1

Titus 3:1

Barclay: Cretans notoriously turbulent and quarellsome, rebellious toward authority.

Romans 13:1 - 8, 1 Peter 2:13-15

1) Subject to established government, to obey civil authority.

Good citizenship (vs 1-2) is 1) law abiding v.1, 2) active in service v1, 3) carful in speech v.2, 4) tolerant, not aggressive, 5) kind and gentle.

Ready to every good work -- See Hebrews 10:25 for note on "Attendance"

Verse 2

Titus 3:2

cont from v. 1 about good citizenship.

Speak evil -- especially of government men - 2 Peter 2:10

Verse 3

Titus 3:3

We ourselves -- once, no better off than our heathen neighbors.

Foolish -- without understanding

Verse 4

Titus 3:4

V. 4 is a definition of "grace" spoken of in Titus 2:11

Verse 5

Titus 3:5

Not by works -- salvation not earned.

Washing -- Ephesians 5:26, John 3:3-5, 1 Corinthians 6:11,

Washing -- Arnt & Ging: The bath that brings about regeneration"

Washing of regeneration -- is this "washing" both "regenerating" and "renewing"? OR is the "by" = "through" (ASV)

Washing of sin Revelation 1:5

Renewal -- "effected by the H.S." Thayer

2 Corinthians 4:16, Colossians 3:10 Romans 6:4,

Renewing -- Renewed of or "accomplished by" the H.S. What is renewal? see Romans 12:1-2

EGT suggests an analogy of natural birth used of the new birth. Birth, natural and spiritual, takes place at a definite moment. 1 Peter 1:22-23

Verse 6

Titus 3:6

"Which" is the relative pronoun, not "who" the personal pronoun. [See RWP]

If "which" it seems to refer to His Mercy which was shed on us; if "who" it may refer to the H.S. which he shed on us. Acts 2:18, Acts 2:33.

Generally understood here to refer to the H.S. poured out on us at conversion.

Shed -- ASV poured out

Verse 7

Titus 3:7

Grace ..Titus 3:5, 1 John 3:3,

Verse 8

Titus 3:8

Faithful saying -- trustworthy. [cf NEB] If the Faithful saying v. 4-5, or v.7, or v. 8? Most say vs 4-7.

Affirm constantly -- Be insistent in these teaching, Affirm Truth. Not in sense of continually, but uniformity.

Believers maintain good works. Ephesians 2:10

Good works -- honorable occupation, etc. maintain = occupy self.

Verse 9

Titus 3:9

Avoid -- "to turn one’s self about"

Jewish myths -- Titus 1:14, 1 Timothy 1:4

The law -- the article is not there.

Vain -- aimless, useless NIV, futile RSV

Verse 10

Titus 3:10

Heretick -- ASV factious, contentious, "sect maker", a man who has decided he is right, everyone else is wrong, and he is going to cause strife and division. His disposition betrays him (1 Corinthians 11:16)

Reject -- refuse,

Verse 11

Titus 3:11

condemned -- self condemnation

Verse 12

Titus 3:12

Artemas -- Artemas or Tychicus seems to be replacement for Titus. cf Titus 1:5

Verse 13

Titus 3:13

Apollos -- Acts 18:24, etc

Verse 14

Titus 3:14

Maintain good works ... Good scripture passage for use in taking the contribution.

Verse 15

Titus 3:15

[The KJV footnote added by translators.]