SLB- 049: Rest and Godliness

SLB- 049: Rest and Godliness The Exegesis of Titus 3 SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • Titus 1:16 They profess to know God [to recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with Him], but deny and disown and renounce Him by what they do; they are detestableandloathsome, unbelievinganddisobedient and disloyalandrebellious, and [they are] unfit and worthless for good work (deed or enterprise) of any kind. • CHAPTER 2 • BUT [as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians]. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 2 Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience [of Christ]. • 3 Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble, SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 4 So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children, SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 5 To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited). • 6 In a similar way, urge the younger men to be self-restrained and to behave prudently [taking life seriously]. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 7 And show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works, teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the strictest regard for truth and purity of motive], with dignity and seriousness. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 8 And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and birrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 9 [Tell] bond servants to be submissive to their masters, to be pleasing and give satisfaction in every way. [Warn them] not to talk back or contradict, • 10 Nor to steal by taking things of small value, but to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout, so that in everything they may be an ornament and do credit to the teaching [which is] from and about God our Savior. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 11 For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. • 12 It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness and worldly desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 13 Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. [Deut. 14:2; Ps. 130:8; Ezek. 37:23.] SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2 • 15 Tell [them all] these things. Urge (advise, encourage, warn) and rebuke with full authority. Let no one despise or disregard or think little of you [conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect]. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2:1 • To establish order in the church Paul gave Titus instructions concerning the behavior of various groups of Christians that was appropriate for them. He had given directions concerning the appointment of proper leaders and had warned about subversive teachers in chapter 1. Now he advised regarding pastoral oversight. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2:1 • “Paul here stresses the importance of building up the inner life of believers as the best antidote against error.”38 • “No condition and no period of life is to remain unaffected by the sanctifying influence of the gospel.”39 SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 2:1 • This verse introduces the instructions concerning individual conduct that follow. • In contrast to the false teachers, Titus was to teach the believers conduct that was in harmony with sound (i.e., healthy) doctrine (cf. 1 Tim. 1:10; 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9, 13, 2:2). SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-3 • NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 3:1-3 • 1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:4-6 • 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:7-8 • 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:9-11 • 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • Paul broadened the focus of his instructions to clarify the responsibilities of all Christians in view of God’s grace. • Individual responsibility 3:1–8 • “After a brief exhortation to Titus (2:15) to ‘teach these things’ (at least 2:1–14), Paul returns in this section to the major concern of the letter—’good works’ (i.e., genuinely Christian behavior) for the sake of the outsider (3:1–8) and in contrast to the false teachers (3:9–11).” SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • “So far Paul has been concerned with the internal arrangements of the Cretan churches and the duties of their members to one another. Now he comments briefly on their relationship to the civil power and their pagan environment generally. The point he makes is that they should be models of good citizenship precisely because the new, supernatural life of the Spirit bestowed by [Spirit] baptism finds expression in such an attitude.”70 SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • “People who are ever fighting are wretched citizens and neighbors; people who are willing to yield in gentleness are admirable, especially when they follow the gentle spirit of Jesus.”71 SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • Christians as Citizens (Titus 3:1–8) • Christians were often looked on with suspicion in the Roman Empire because their conduct was so different and they met in private meetings for worship (see 1 Peter 2:11–25; 3:13–4:5). It was important that they be good citizens without compromising the faith. Their pagan neighbors might disobey the law but Christians must submit to the authority of the state (see Rom. 13). “Ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1) means “cooperating in those matters that involve the whole community.” Our heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20) does not absolve us from responsibilities as citizens on earth. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • Christians as Citizens (Titus 3:1–8) • The believer should not have a bad attitude toward the government and show it by slanderous accusations and pugnacious actions. The word gentle (Titus 3:2) means “an attitude of moderation, a sweet reasonableness.” Christians with this quality do not insist on the letter of the law, but are willing to compromise where no moral issue is at stake. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • Christians as Citizens (Titus 3:1–8) • Again, Paul linked duty to doctrine. “Don’t be too critical of your pagan neighbors,” he wrote. “Just remember what you were before God saved you!” Titus 3:3 needs little explanation; we know what it means from our own experience SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • Each characteristic he mentioned in this verse contrasts with one he had urged his readers to adopt earlier in this epistle. They—Paul included himself—had been foolish, not sensible; disobedient, not submissive; deceived, not enlightened; and enslaved, not free and self-disciplined. Moreover they had been malicious, not peaceable; envious, not considerate; and hateful, not loving. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-11 • Several duties of all Christians follow. • We should • (1) be subject to governmental rulers and other authorities by being obedient to them and • (2) be ready to do whatever is good. • We should (3) slander no one and • (4) be peaceable (Gr. amachous, lit. nonfighting), gentle, and considerate toward everyone (cf. 1 Pet. 2:23). SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • “1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, • Since the Cretans were naturally intractable, Paul warns Titus to be careful to insist upon obedience to the properly constituted civil authorities (Expositors). • (Diodorus Siculus mentions the tendency of the Cretans to riotous insubordination.) SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • 1. “Remind them” — as they are in danger of forgetting their duty, though knowing it. • The opposition of Christianity to heathenism, and the natural inclination to rebellion of the Jews under Roman Rule might lead many to forget a recognized Christian doctrine - submission to the powers that be. • “Remind them” is hupomimniskō (ὑπομιμνισκω), “to cause one to remember, bring to remembrance.”, a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, meaning “keep on reminding.” SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-3 • “to be subject” is hupotassō (ὑποτασσω), used here in the direct middle voice, meaning “continue to put yourself under authority.” • It was a military term for the chain of command. • This same term is used of Christian wives in 2:5 and Christian slaves in 2:9. • It is also used of all Christians in Eph. 5:20. It is basically an attitude of life for Christians in all areas. • to be subject—“willingly” • Contrasted to “disobedient” (Tit 3:3) SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • “to rulers, to authorities” • These two terms, exousia and archē , have a wide range of meaning in the Mediterranean world. • There is, however, some semantic overlap in the sense of authority or power over another. • “Principalities” is archē (ἀρχη), “the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the first place, the rule, magistracy.” • The word speaks here of the persons first in order of rulership in a community, “the first ones” in the town. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • “Powers” is exousia (ἐξουσια), which speaks of delegated authority. • Here the word qualifies the civil rulers as those having duly constituted authority. • The word “and” is not in the Nestle text. • So, we have, “to those in charge and their delegated authorities” SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • 2. Exousia and archē are also used for spiritual authorities and powers in Eph. 2:2 and Col. 2:15. • In Eph. 3:10 and 6:12 these two terms are linked with “in the heavenlies,” which is unique to Ephesians and refers to the spiritual realm active in human history. • 3. There are some Pauline texts that combine civil and spiritual authorities (I Cor. 15:24; Eph. 1:21; and Col. 1:16). SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • “to be obedient” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INFINITIVE. It is a compound word and word play on “obey” ( peithomai ) plus “rulers” ( archē ). • “To obey magistrates” is peitharcheō (πειθαρχεω), “to obey a ruler or superior.” • Put it together and it is, “obey those in charge, their delegated authorites and administrators”. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1 • “to be ready for every good deed” • This phrase in context refers to believers’ service to the civil authorities and/or community service to their fellow humans. • However, similar phrases appear in II Tim. 2:21 and 3:17, where the context refers to godly living in general (cf. Titus 2:14; II Cor. 9:8; Eph. 2:10). • Remember, the false teachers of 1:16 are unqualified for any good work, secular or sacred. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. • This sentence lists four things that Christians should do in relation to their neighbors. • Christians were the minority in their neighborhoods. • How they acted was a crucial witness. • Also, this list may reflect what false teachers do and true believers should not do. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • This is good advice for modern believers involved in political action. • How we act is as important as what we say! • No cause supercedes evangelism. • NASB - “to malign no one” • NKJV, NRSV - “to speak evil of no one” • NJB - “not to go slandering other people” • This is literally the term “blaspheme” (cf. I Tim. 1:13, 20; II Tim. 3:2; I Pet. 4:4; II Pet. 2:2, 10, 11, 12). SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • It came to be used by Paul to assert that the gospel should not be spoken evil of because of Christian’s conduct (cf. Rom. 14:16; I Cor. 10:30 and here). • How believers live is crucial for the evangelistic witness of the church. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • “to be peaceable” This, like all three of these terms, refers to believers’ dealings with non-believers. • “No brawlers” is amachos (ἀμαχος), “abstaining from fighting, not contentious.” • “gentle” - Vincent says, “not unduly rigorous, not making a determined stand for one’s just due.” SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • “Gentle” is epieikeia (ἐπιεικεια). Trench has a valuable note on this word. • “The mere existence of such a word as epieikeia (ἐπιεικεια), is itself a signal evidence of the highest development of ethics among the Greeks. • It expresses exactly that moderation which recognizes the impossibility cleaving to all formal law, of anticipating and providing for all cases that will emerge and present themselves to it for decision; which with this, recognizes the danger that ever waits upon the assertion of legal rights.. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • lest they should be pushed to moral wrongs, which, therefore urges not its own rights to the uttermost, but, going back in part or in the whole from these, rectifies and redresses the injustices of justice. • It is thus more truly just than strict justice would have been.” • The word could be translated, “sweet reasonableness, being satisfied with less than is due you.” SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • NASB - “showing every consideration for all men” • NKJV, NRSV - “to show every courtesy to everyone” • TEV - “always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone” • NJB - “always polite to people of all kinds” • Again the phrase refers to believers’ actions toward believers (II Tim. 2:25 cf. I Tim. 6:11) and non-believers. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • “Meekness” is prautēs (πραυτης). • Trench says of this word: “The scriptural praotēs (πραοτης) (related word to prautēs (πραυτης)) is not in man’s outward behavior only; nor yet in his relations to his fellow-men; as little in his mere natural disposition. • Rather is it an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God (Matt. 11:29; James 1:21). SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:1-3 • It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing and resisting; it is closely linked with tapeinophrosunē (ταπεινοφροσυνη) (humility), and follows directly upon it (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; cf. Zeph. 3:12); because it is only the humble heart which is also the meek; and which, as such, does not fight against God, and more or less struggle and contend with Him. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • This meekness, however, being first of all meekness before God, is also such in the face of men, even of evil men, out of a sense that these, with the insults and injuries which they may inflict, are permitted and employed by Him for the chastening and purifying of His elect. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • This was the root of David’s praotēs (πραοτης), when Shimei cursed and flung stones at him—the consideration that the Lord had bidden him (II Sam. 16:11), that it was just for him to suffer these things, however unjustly the other might inflict them; and out of like convictions all true Christian praotēs (πραοτης) must spring. SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • He that is meek indeed will know himself a sinner among sinners;—or, if there was One who could not know Himself such, yet He too bore a sinner’s doom, and endured therefore the contradiction of sinners (Luke 9:35, 36; John 18:22, 23);—and this knowledge of his own sin will teach him to endure meekly the provocations with which they may provoke him, and not withdraw himself from the burdens which their sin may impose (Gal. 6:1; II Tim. 2:25; Tit. 2:2).” SLB-049 & 050

Rest and Godliness: Titus 3:2 • The theme of “everybody” is characteristic of the Pastoral Letters. God loves all people; Jesus died for all people; Christians must respond positively toward all people (cf. I Tim. 2:1, 4, 6; 4:10; Titus 2:11). SLB-049 & 050

SLB- 049: Rest and Godliness