Titus 3:9–15 - 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. 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Paul tells Titus that believers should avoid useless debates and discussions over ancestral records, arguments, and quarrels about minor points of the law, since that does not really help draw people to the Lord (v. 9). He says that if a person causes divisions by insisting on teachings contrary to sound doctrine, Titus should warn them once or twice. But if they continue to create dissension, he should reject them, since such people are warped and sinful (vv. 10-11). Paul then encourages Titus to reach out to some of his friends in Crete to encourage them and to come to him after the relief that Paul is sending arrives to fill in for him (vv. 12-13). Finally, Paul urges the believers in Crete to devote themselves to doing good works to provide for urgent needs, so their lives will be fruitful (vv. 14-15).
How can I apply Titus 3:9-15 to my life?
Today, Paul provides practical advice to Titus, a church leader, on handling controversy and rejecting divisiveness while making good works a priority. This passage speaks volumes to believers about keeping focused on what really matters - representing Jesus through compassionate action. It's easy to get distracted by theoretical arguments and debates that seem urgent but fail to address real issues hurting real people. We can spend endless energy disputing minor doctrinal details or criticizing fellow believers over disagreements. Yet if we're not careful, our fighting leads nowhere helpful. Paul cautions Titus to avoid these kinds of foolish controversies that take the focus off clearly communicating the gospel and doing the good works which God has for every believer. He also instructs dealing decisively yet gently with anyone causing division, only removing them after patient counsel as a last resort. Most importantly, Paul highlights that the grace of God which brought salvation should fuel our pursuit of good works that express Christlike love in practical ways. Rather than bickering, we must devote ourselves to doing good things that make a tangible difference. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Avoid Foolish Controversies to Stay Focused on What Matters (v. 9): When Paul tells Titus to Jesus to steer clear of useless conflicts, he highlights a common temptation believers face – getting distracted by petty disagreements rather than ‘keeping the main thing the main thing’ – God’s truth. It's enticing to dwell on intricate scriptural minutia as an escape from applying weighty gospel truths to our lives. Debating inconsequential biblical intricacies often exalts scholarly pride more than clarifying Christ's purposes. Yet fueling disputes about ancestral records, legalistic feuds, or scriptural fragments breeds more discord than unity. Rather than pursuing speculative scriptural arguments without definitive solutions, we live out truth by compassionately addressing human struggles. While foolish disputes lack resolution, good works manifest Christlike love by tackling tangible needs. When hearing idle theological chatter that perverts truth into conflict, we must choose – either contend for the essential gospel message as worthy ambassadors, or waste time magnifying theoretical trifles which distort people’s focus. Discerning believers anchor their attention on presenting core salvation doctrines rather than dissecting peripheral issues leading nowhere. As Spurgeon recognized, “The great heart of the gospel beats with one pulsation from the first word of Genesis to the last of Revelation.” May secondary issues never eclipse that eternal heartbeat (Romans 14:1-4; 1 Timothy 1:4–7; 2 Timothy 2:14–16, 23–26).
Food for Thought: When have you wasted energy on minor theological debates rather than pursuing Christlike love? What safeguards can help avoid unproductive controversies this week?
2. Reject Divisive People After Proper Warning (vv. 10-11): Paul instructs Titus to admonish divisive people in the church twice, then reject them if they remain stubbornly disruptive to unity. While this may seem harsh, Scripture shows God’s desire for the church to be free of chronic dissenters who destroy harmony. Confrontation should not be avoided but handled judiciously by church leaders, carefully assessing if dissenters repent after being cautioned twice about their disagreement. Only if they persist in generating quarrels contrary to biblical truth should separation occur. This upholds purity by isolating infectious contention while allowing room for repentance, preventing needless divisions. As Christians we must take sin seriously, not overlooking those who deliberately undermine church health through false teaching or relational rifts over non-essentials. Godly discipline requires confronting divisiveness while making every allowance for restoration. If dissenters remain obstinate, removing them becomes necessary to safeguard the church, sound doctrine, and relationships. Scripture guides us to handle division decisively yet graciously. Wise leaders pray for discernment when loving discipline gets portrayed as unloving exclusion. Unity in core gospel truths must prevail over peripheral disputes, so gently restoring straying members takes discernment and courage. Since division often arises from pride, discipline aims at restoration through humility and repentance. Just as Paul submitted divisive troublemakers in Ephesus and Crete to removal after patient counsel, we must hold to biblical standards for harmony (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 2 Timothy 3:1-9).
Food for Thought: When have I remained silent instead of speaking against a divisive person? What disciplined steps can church leaders take this week to address disunity?
3. Devote Yourself to Good Works to Help Others (vv. 12-15): After addressing harmful divisions, Paul highlights the priority of engaging in good works that demonstrate Christ's love. God's grace working within us should compel us toward expressing practical compassion rather than arguing over disagreements that don't ultimately matter. Our lives were purchased at infinite cost so that we would in turn overflow with real blessing into the lives of others. As we grow in grace, good works manifest as the natural expression and evidence of hearts changed by the gospel. It's tragically easy to get caught up in theoretical debates while ignoring tangible needs right in front of our faces. Time wasted disputing minor issues could be invested meeting urgent needs and literally changing lives with the good news of the Gospel. The grace of God teaches us to live self-controlled godly lives while we wait for the sure and certain hope of the future. Doing good provides an outlet for God's grace to flow through our lives to others. Jesus Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us and purify for Himself a people who would be zealous for good works (Galatians 5:22-23, 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14).
Food for Thought: What good work is God leading me to devote time to this week? Who around me would benefit if I stepped up to fill an urgent need in their life?
As Paul closes out his letter to Titus, he gives us three key lessons. First, avoid useless arguments and debates. They just distract us from what really matters, which is living out our faith through good works. Second, correct those who are being divisive with patience and care. But if they fail to change their ways, for the health of the church, they may need to be removed. Third, make doing good works a priority. Let them flow out of the grateful and grace-filled heart God has given us. Good works bless others and point them toward Christ. We should be continually examining our priorities: are we wasting time on fruitless debates? Are there relationships we need to make right? Ask God to reveal any changes that need to make so you can devote yourself to bringing hope to those around you.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would help me to avoid useless arguments that take my focus off loving others. When I catch myself debating minor issues of theology that have no real consequence, draw me instead toward compassion and meeting practical needs. I know many people are hurting and need to see Your love demonstrated. I pray that You would give me wisdom to know when a debate is merely pride and when it really protects important gospel truths. I also pray You would make me patient and caring when confronting those who stir up division, while still upholding Your standard of truth and unity. Help me balance grace and truth. Above all, I pray that Your amazing grace would overflow from my life in many good works. I pray that You would show me those around me that I can bless, serve, and share truth with today
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Titus 3:14 – “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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