A Study of Titus 3:9-15

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”

Titus 3:9-15 ESV

Observation/Summary (short explanation of what the passage says in your own words):

To close his letter, Paul told Titus to avoid foolish controversies and arguments over genealogies, various dissensions and quarrels about the Jewish law because they are a waste of time. Whenever there was a person who constantly stirred up division, Paul told Titus to warn them twice and then have nothing more to do with them if they chose to persist in causing trouble. People like that are “warped, sinful and self condemned.”

Lastly, Paul asked Titus to try and join him in Nicopolis, where he would be spending the winter, when Artemas and Tychicus arrived in Crete. Paul also asked Titus to help Zenas and Apollos on their journey, as well as to teach the believers in Crete to dedicate themselves to good works to help people in urgent need so they would not be unfruitful. Finally, Paul closed the letter with, “Grace be to you all.”

Textual Analysis and Implication (what is being said and what does this mean?):

After telling Titus to continually remind the Christians in Crete to pursue godly character for the glory of God and the good of those around them, he went on to say, “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” In Titus 1:11, Paul spoke of things which “ought not to be taught” and told Titus to put a stop to it within the walls of the church. Much of this had to do with people who were trying to teach a grace plus works type of salvation. This is what Paul again refers to here and tells him to not even get involved in disputing such things, but rather, to focus on the Word of God. There were even Jewish Rabbis who spent a lot of time charting out imaginary genealogies for Old Testament people and Paul told Titus this was a waste of time and to stay focused on the gospel and real, practical theology.

Next, when it came to divisive people who stirred up division over the aforementioned issues, Paul told Titus to warn them twice, and then have nothing more to do with them. Such people are “warped, sinful and self-condemned.” This means when there is a stubborn person in the church who constantly stirs up strife and will not listen to the elders or submit to their authority, they must be turned out for the good of the church. Importantly though, there is to be no action taken against them of any kind except to send them away and ignore them. They can say whatever they want outside of the church, but such people’s arrogant self-will condemns them to spiritual blindness and they must not be allowed to spread this sickness and cause division within God’s church. Church leaders need to protect their flock from such people.

It is easy to skip over verses 12-13 where Paul gives some personal instructions, but these words are important too because they show us Paul was a real person with personal concerns and relationships. It seems that Artemas and Tychicus were to come to Crete and replace Titus as head of the churches there, and then Titus was to move on and join Paul in Nicopolis. Paul also asked Titus to do his best to supply the needs of Zena and Apollos and to “see that they lack nothing.” From this we learn more of the importance of helping those who are serving in ministry. Some of us are called to “go”, and some of us are called to “send” those who go. We all have important roles to play in the work of the ministry.

In verse 14 Paul gave Titus one last reminder to help and encourage the believers in Crete to “devote themselves to good works, so as to help in cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” This is something Paul repeatedly brought up in his letter to Titus. He was very concerned that the Christians in Crete might be comfortable in their salvation but unfruitful in their lives. God does not only save us from sin and death, He also saves us to bear fruit for His glory, the good of others, and the advance of His kingdom. We are saved to be a blessing to others; an extension of God’s love for all. We might also say we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. One way we do this is by looking for opportunities to do good works and meet urgent needs out of our love for Christ and others.

Finally, Paul closed this letter by saying, “All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.” Just as Paul opened the letter, he closed it with a benediction of grace. The only difference is, while he opened the letter with a greeting only to Titus, he closed it with a greeting to Titus and all who would read and hear it read.

Response (How does this change how I think, act and pray?):

While there is a time and place to discuss Biblical theology, there is also a point where a line is crossed into unprofitable quarrels, dissensions over tertiary or even unbiblical issues. There are some people who gorge themselves on such discussions and in so doing distract themselves and others from what truly matters. Church leaders are to warn such people a couple times, but then stop them from causing division in the church. For us who are not church leaders, we should learn to recognize such people and not get drawn into worthless arguments, but rather, shake the dust off of our feet and move on.

From the final words of this passage we gain a glance into the personal life of Paul. He had real relationships with other believers, and we should cultivate such relationships too. Wherever possible we should seek to be an active part of the body of Christ and live our life for God alongside our Christian brothers and sisters, as we endeavor to show the love and truth of the Lord Jesus to the world around us.

Self Reflection:

1. When, if ever, have I been drawn into worthless, divisive quarrels in or out of the church?
2. How can I better respond to such situations next time?
3. What are some good opportunities for me to “help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”?