Titus 3:8-15 (Conclusion)

Tit 3:8:          What is the trustworthy statement to which Paul refers in this verse?  See Tit 3:3-7 and note that this is one of the five “faithful words” Paul mentions in these pastoral epistles (see also 1 Tim 1:15, 3:1, 4:9 and 2 Tim 2:11).  What are “these things” about which he wants Titus to speak confidently?  See Tit 2:1-3:2, esp. Tit 2:15.  For what reason does Paul say in this verse that Titus should “speak confidently” about these things?  See also 1 Tim 1:7 for the only other occurrence of this word.  A hallmark of false teachers is their “confident assertions” that dupe the masses; how is one to discern between the confident assertions of a true man of God and a false prophet?  See Mat 7:15-16, 1 Tim 6:3.  What does this teach us about the importance of good deeds to distinguish the truth of the gospel message from counter-feits?  See Tit 1:16, 2:7, 14, 3:1, 14, and Jam 2:14-19.  Why were good deeds especially important for distinguishing the true gospel to the Cretans?  See Tit 1:10-14.  By “good deeds” does Paul mean mere religious acts like going to church, making lengthy prayers, etc…?  What does he mean?  See again Tit 2:1-3:2.  What is at the heart of the good deeds to which Paul refers and that is of ultimate good and most profits men?  See 1 Tim 4:8-9.

Tit 3:9-11:   In contrast to “these things” in Tit 2:1-3:2 that Paul says are good and profitable for men and about which Titus was to speak confidently, what things does Paul say in these verses are unprofitable and worthless?  To what sort of matters does Paul refer in Tit 3:9?  See Jn 3:25, Acts 15:2,7, 18:15, 23:29, 26:3, 1 Tim 1:4, 6:4, 2 Tim 2:14,23.  What does he say in Tit 3:9 should be our response to such things?  What does he say in Tit 3:10 should be our response to those who would engage us in controversial questions or disputes about the law?  Why after a first and second warning?  See Deut 19:15, 2 Cor 13:1-2.  What is meant by a “factious” man?  Cf. NIV “divisive” and KJV “heretic” which is a transliteration of the Greek hairetikos that means schismatic or causing divisions.  What does this teach us about the true nature of heresy?  How does Paul in Tit 3:11 describe those who would engage us in their “foolish controversies” rather than in “good deeds”?^[1]

Tit 3:12-15: What do Tit 3:12 and 13 indicate about where Paul might have been when writing this letter?  Note: Tychicus was from Asia (Acts 20:4), perhaps Ephesus (see Eph 6:21, 2 Tim 4:12) and Artemas means “gift of Artemis” whose great temple was located in Ephesus (Acts 19:27); recall that Paul penned 1 Timothy, which is similar in content and language to this letter to Titus, to Timothy whom he had left in Ephesus.  Some have suggested Paul may have been in Corinth at this writing as it was an important port between Crete and Nicopolis and strongly associated with Apollos (Acts 18:27-19:1, 1 Cor 3:4-6, 16:12).  Why is it unlikely that Paul wrote Titus from Nicopolis?  See “there” in Tit 3:12 (instead of “here”).  What does Tit 3:13 indicate about who likely delivered this letter of Paul to Titus?  What does Tit 3:13 teach us about our Christian responsibility to help Christian ministers on their way as they go about proclaiming the gospel?  See also Acts 15:3, Rom 15:24, 1 Cor 16:6, 2 Cor 1:16, 3 Jn 1:5-8.  What does Paul in Tit 3:14 contrast with being unfruitful?  Note also the NASB and KJV text notes here that “good deeds” may be better translated in the context as “good occupations” or “honest trades”.  What are “pressing needs”?  Note: KJV = “necessary uses”, NIV = “daily necessities”, literally “necessary needs”.  What does this teach us should be the purpose and object of our charitable giving?  See also 2 Cor 8:13-14.  What “pressing needs” did Paul have in mind for the Cretans to assist with?  See Tit 3:13.