It Starts Small

⁸ This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. ⁹ But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. ¹¹ For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

Titus 3:8-11

This saying is trustworthy

Paul refers to the foundational elements of the gospel he shared in the previous passage. The core principle is seen in verse 5:

⁵ he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5

Paul fervently urges Titus to remain steadfast, refusing to be swayed by distractions. The gospel must be the cornerstone of his teaching and ministry—an unwavering truth he can wholeheartedly trust and depend on. In staying true to the gospel, he ensures he is always on the right path. Just as “all roads lead to Rome,” every passage of Scripture ultimately directs us to Christ. Ministries ought to passionately embrace the gospel, prioritizing it over all peripheral concerns.

I want you to insist on these things

God passionately calls us to embody the example of Jesus in our meekness. Jesus powerfully taught us to “turn the other cheek.” How do we reconcile this with Paul’s urgent instruction to Titus? Paul instructed Titus to “insist” on these vital truths. Meekness absolutely does not mean lacking a backbone! Many arguments simply aren’t worth our time or energy. Turning the other cheek is about gracefully enduring personal injury or insult. Yet, let’s be clear: some battles are not only necessary but imperative! A shepherd must stay alert over the flock. They must refuse to let false teachers infiltrate and sow seeds of division, heresy, or harmful doctrine. With conviction, Paul charged Titus to “insist” on the foundational truths of the gospel. It is our sacred duty to protect what is holy!

When disagreements arise around the core truths of the gospel, Titus stood resolute. He refused to compromise or simply “let it go.” A Bible teacher should never be argumentative (Titus 1:7), nor should he cling to his personal opinions. Instead, he must passionately uphold the Word of God. He must fiercely insist on those vital issues where the Scriptures speak with clarity and authority. What profound teachings and truths must Bible teachers boldly defend? And, in the spirit of humility and grace, which matters might be acceptable to navigate with compromise?

so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Here, we witness the profound impact of good doctrine, which ignites a fire of righteous action! Good doctrine should fuel our commitment to extraordinary works. The essence of sound doctrine transcends mere intellectual understanding; it is a catalyst for transformation in our actions and behavior. Even the most sincere Christians can easily stray into futile distractions. Endless speculation is a trap they might fall into (as Paul poignantly points out in verse 9). Titus was entrusted with the vital task. He had to thwart any arguments. These arguments could divert the believers from their pure and straightforward mission. Their mission was to serve God through good works. He underscores the magnificence of these good works as “excellent” and “profitable for people.” Thus, let us fervently ask ourselves the pivotal question, “Is this truly profitable for people?”

Here are some things that are profitable for people:

• Sharing the gospel.
• Teaching the Bible.
• Exercising hospitality.
• Sharing our testimony.
• Praying for others.
• Doing work projects that help the needy.

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What are some examples of things people spend time on that are not profitable? Is the majority of your time spent doing things that are profitable for people? Take some time to evaluate your daily activities and schedule, asking the simple question, “Is that profitable?”

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But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law,

Paul passionately urges Titus to center his heart and efforts on the gospel. He calls him to inspire others to lead simple, godly, and obedient Christian lives. These lives should be devoted to serving God. He emphasizes the importance of steering clear of pointless debates, mindless speculation, and futile arguments. How can we discern whether a specific action or discussion is truly worthy? The profound and straightforward test of “Is it profitable?” must be applied. Does engaging in this discussion empower and equip people to better serve God?

Here are some topics of debate that would fall into the “worthless” category:

• One of the oldest debates in the church revolves around the utterly foolish question, “how many angels can fit on the head of a pin?” Let’s be real! This is mere speculation! Knowing the answer changes nothing about our lives or behaviors. If anything, this debate is a stark reminder. It highlights the countless ways we waste our time on trivial pursuits instead of focusing on what truly matters!
• More and more books are emerging, all claiming to share people’s experiences of dying and going to heaven. But are these accounts genuine? Did these individuals truly venture into the heavenly realm? How do we discern what’s real and what’s just sensationalism? Devoting time to dissecting these narratives is a venture into a black hole! Instead of chasing after these fleeting discussions, let’s remember: God has revealed all we truly need to know about heaven! We must proclaim the gospel, teach the Word, and live out our Christian convictions! Let’s use our time wisely, taking the message of hope out to those in need!
• What secrets lie in the little scroll of Revelation 10? The truth is, God chose not to reveal it to us! Any attempt to guess is nothing but a wasteful exercise in idle speculation!
• And who is the antichrist? His identity remains a tantalizing mystery, only to be unveiled in due time! Let’s not squander our valuable moments in fruitless speculation!

There are still countless topics brimming with potential. These deserve our time and discussion. We must tread carefully. These intriguing subjects can easily become distracting whirlpools. They can pull us away from our true focus. We could waste precious moments if we are not vigilant.

• Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Knowing the answer would be nice, but it would not significantly change our Christian life.
• What type of chairs should we buy for our auditorium? It’s useful to consider various ideas (cost and comfort, etc.), but it should not become a point of division, and excessive time should not be spent on it.

What steps can you take when members of your church or Bible study group wish to delve into unproductive discussions? How can you fervently redirect the conversation towards topics that truly nourish the soul and ignite meaningful dialogue?

Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.

Paul passionately imparts to Titus the vital and urgent instructions on confronting a divisive person within the church. Firstly, Titus must boldly approach this individual and deliver a heartfelt warning. This may involve fervently challenging their teachings with the unwavering truth of Scripture. Additionally, he should inspire them to return to the path of righteousness. Titus can engage them in fruitful conversations. As a steadfast leader of the church, he should use his God-given authority to issue a firm command. The divisive person must stop their disruptive ways.

If an individual persists in sowing seeds of division within the church, Titus must resolutely issue another warning. Should this fail, the next course of action is to sever all ties. At first glance, this may appear harsh and unloving. But shouldn’t we relentlessly pursue the lost sheep? Yet, a person who dismisses repeated warnings from the church’s leadership can no longer be regarded as a sheep. Ultimately, only God knows the truth. There are compelling reasons why such destructive behavior cannot be tolerated—unity and love within the body of Christ are paramount!

• It will erupt as a disruptive force. It wastes the invaluable time of the church leader. This time could be devoted to far more meaningful endeavors! Those who revel in division thirst only for conflict, exhibiting no genuine desire for wisdom or growth. Each moment we cater to their relentless need for attention inadvertently fuels their unhealthy craving for argument. This perpetual cycle of discord drags us all into a quagmire that serves no one’s interests!
• Allowing individuals a platform to air their divisive thoughts can mislead the innocent and even lead the faithful astray! Church leaders hold a sacred responsibility to everyone in their flock. Among those responsibilities is the imperative to protect the community from false teachings. They must also guard against any influences that could harm and misguide them!
• Engaging with such divisive individuals may grant them a sense of legitimacy—at least in their own minds! They must understand that such behavior is utterly unacceptable. This message should be clear for a child of God! Severing all ties can be the final warning. It could serve as a poignant wake-up call. This action might inspire that person to seek genuine repentance!

The meaning of the verse is simple and clear. Don’t spend a lot of time arguing with someone who just wants to cause trouble.

Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3

such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

A divisive person has twisted motives, often harboring intentions that are self-serving and counterproductive. He is not seeking the good of others, but rather indulging in a toxic pursuit of discord. Much like a vandal finds a disturbing sense of joy in destroying others’ property. The divisive person delights in sowing seeds of confusion and conflict within the body of Christ. Such individuals thrive on chaos. They often manipulate situations to pit people against each other. This behavior undermines relationships and erodes the foundation of community. Their actions not only reflect a profound selfishness but also show a disregard for harmony and unity. These qualities should be prevalent among followers of Christ. This leads to a culture of mistrust and division. Such a culture can take root and flourish if left unchecked.

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Cross-References

• 2 Timothy 2:14
• 2 Timothy 2:23-25
• 2 Corinthians 10:5

Discussion Questions

• What are “these things” that Titus was to insist on?
• Are some things worth arguing about? If so, what?
• Based on verse 8, how could “good works” be defined?
• What type of topics should be avoided? Why?
• Why do people care about these things since they are clearly useless?
• What are some examples of discussions which fall into these categories in verse 9?
• If we should avoid those things, what should we then pursue?
• How can you help guide people to think about and focus on important topics rather than frivolous ones?
• How should we deal with people who stir up division?
• Is it loving to cut off communications with such a person?
• What does it mean that such a person is warped?

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