Titus 3:8–15 (NKJV)
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
These are the parting words in a pastoral letter, in that it is the Apostle Paul’s instructions to help Pastor Titus in his pastoral duties.
For example, Paul instructs Titus to avoid “strivings about the law.” As with every time Paul mentions the Law, we must here distinguish between these three: we Christians are free from the condemnation of the Law in general, and we are free from the ceremonial Law (which Paul refers to here), but we are not free from the moral Law (which is evident from Paul’s admonition in v. 8 to “maintain good works.”)
There in v. 8, Paul instructs Titus, saying, “I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” This shows that even though we Christians are free from the Law’s condemnation and from Jewish ceremonial Law, we are not free from the moral Law, which is God’s eternal will for His people.
One final instruction to look at is this: “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” This might seem like a quick version of the Matt. 18 procedure for church discipline, but this is actually how the pastor must deal with false teachers in the midst of the flock—it has to be done quickly and decisively. Heresies are self-chosen, and therefore they are self-condemning. So, if the pastor tries to correct someone who is teaching falsely to the flock, and this teacher does not stop after the second warning, then he is simply removed. This is necessary to safeguard the flock from false teaching that could lead people away from Christ. This is how the shepherd rightly protects God’s sheep.
Let us pray: O Lord, great Shepherd of the sheep, we thank You for Your under-shepherds who provide spiritual care and protection for us, Your flock; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
