Titus 3:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

NIV: Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

NASB: Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive.

CSB: Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

NLT: Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

KJV: And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

NKJV: And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

After telling Titus that the church should assist Zenas and Apollos on their mission trip, Paul adds a plea. Christians should be diligent in pursuing good works, something mentioned frequently in this letter (Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:5; Titus 3:8). This is specifically meant to apply to Zenas and Apollos, and the care given them by the churches of Crete.

Beyond that, believers of Crete are instructed to be efficient in their support, prioritizing issues of urgent need. This refers to meeting dire needs, or time-sensitive concerns. The Good Samaritan represents an example of this type of scenario. There, Jesus taught that a "neighbor" is a person in need (Luke 10:25–37). Believers are commanded to love neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:40), which includes meeting the practical needs of those around us.

Second Peter 1:8 also mentions this idea: acting out Christian principles is a way of avoiding "unfruitful," or "wasted" living.

Titus 3:12–15 concludes Paul’s letter to Titus. Paul sends greetings of love from other Christians to the churches on Crete. Paul instructs Titus to provide assistance to two fellow believers, and asks him to make plans to visit Paul in Nicopolis prior to winter. This conclusion suggests that Paul’s letter is meant to be read to all of the local churches on Crete.

Paul reminds Titus of seven positive behaviors, and seven contrasting sins, which he is to insist on teaching correctly. False teachers are to be cut off, not given a public platform. Believers are not to waste time bickering, but focus on good works and urgent needs. This passage also explains how salvation is entirely the result of God’s grace, not our own good deeds.

Titus chapter 1 focused on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Chapter 2 explained the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 focuses on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture. Through goodness and peace, we are to make a positive impact, so people will see Christ in us.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.

Accessed 11/23/2024 7:10:25 AM