TITUS 3 Accountability: Maintaining an Effective Christian Witness in a Secular World Closing Remarks & Greeting The public expression of a Christian witness is perhaps the most challenging aspect of following Jesus Christ. Its where the “rubber meets the road” and where we “put our money where our mouth is”. All Christians live within some form of government authority and God’s Word is not silent on describing our relationship to that authority. Note that the last chapter of this pastoral letter is fairly short with only about 210 words but the Holy Spirit has “power packed” it with spiritual truth! Whereas chapter 1 emphasized church order and chapter 2 emphasized sound doctrine, this last chapter emphasizes the works of a Christian as being salt to a decaying society and light in a dark world. vv. 1, 2Ø REMINDER TO BE A GOOD ‘CITIZEN’ [1 Remind them to be subject to rulers1 and authorities2, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.] Paul closes his letter to Titus by giving practical instruction on how a Christian is to respond to and behave in a hostile and ungodly society. Any worldly, secular culture is going to challenge the integrity of a Christian’s witness and Paul wanted that to remain an effective influence. So the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to remind us what the characteristics of the “Christian citizen”. Although most Gentile kingdoms have been and are secular in nature, the Bible tells believers they are to respect governmental authority since God has ordained the powers that be. Refer also to Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:13-16. The scriptures describe what it is to be a Christian citizen and here Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, adds to that understanding. [“…subject to rulers and authorities, to obey…”] The Greek word translated “subject” here is the same word translated “obedient to” in Titus 2:5,9 in relation to young wives towards their husbands and servants towards their masters. It literally means to arrange under, and is a military term carrying with it the meaning of respecting order and arranging oneself under another. The word for “obey” here is an interesting compound Greek word: [3980 peitharcheo (pi- tharkh-eh'-o)] Literally “persuaded/convinced by a ruler”, that is to submit or conform to authority. 1 Rulers [746 arche (ar-khay')] Chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank). Beginning, corner, first estate, magistrate, power, principality, principle, and rule. Translated principalities in Ephesians 6:12 and magistrates here and in Luke 12:11. But most often this word is translated beginnings in the New Testament. 2 Authorities/powers [1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah)] Lit. “out of self (rule)”, privileged capacity, jurisdiction, freedom to act, liberty to make decisions, right, strength or (objectively) mastery, delegated influence. Translated powers in Ephesians 6:12 referring to supernatural adversaries. But most often this word is translated powers in the New Testament. 1 Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005 Note that the Bible does not qualify our submission to established authority based on a preference to any of the various forms of government [democratic republic, imperial monarchy, parliamentary, religious or fascist dictatorship]. Christians are to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey the laws and be ready to serve in the interest of the public good regardless of the form of government. Are there any exceptions to this in God’s Word? Yes, but only one: when a government law is in direct opposition to a higher law of God. This action is given the term “civil disobedience”. See for example Acts 4:17-20; 5:25-29; 16:16-23. Why can Christians be subject to the powers that be? Because God is control of all nations and sets up kings and brings them down, He even allows the lowliest person to be put in high public office3. All this to serve His eternal purposes. See Daniel 2:20,22; 4:17. Why can Christians be good citizens while here on earth? Because of the hope a believer has in his/her real citizenship4 in heaven. Note what Philippians 3:20 says “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ….” What kind of conditions existed in the society that Paul was speaking about? The people of Crete were “…always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” and posed a challenging problem for a believer to maintain the integrity his or her Christian witness. Additionally, there was the problem of “…many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision…”, that is the Judaizers5, “…who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.” Paul describes the actions of these in individuals in Galatians 2:1-5; 4:4-11 and Colossians 2:4-17. And yet Christians are to be………. [“…Be ready for every good work…”] This is the will of God and part of responsibility we have as Christians because of our salvation. It occurs when the Word of God is understood and practiced. See 1 Timothy 3:14-17. Note that Paul reiterates the exhortation to maintain good works in verse 8 because they are good and profitable to society. And in verse 14 he repeats the same exhortation because by maintaining good works urgent needs will be met and the believer will be fruitful. 3 Does this imply that God sets up people like Stalin, or Hitler (and all the evil that they wrought) or even an immoral President? I do not think the Bible teaches this but rather the responsibility lies with the people in what God allows them to have. {e.g., 1 Samuel 8:6,7; Psalms 106:15}. 4 Interestingly this word in the Greek is "politeuma" from which we get the word "politics" or "conversation" as it is translated in the King James. And ‘politics’ certainly does generate a lot of conversation. It refers to a “manner of life” within a commonwealth of people. It can also pertain to things we concern ourselves with most or to get involved in the "marketplace" of community discussion. 5 Jews who were believers or unbelievers that required the keeping of the Law, especially circumcision. See Acts 15:1, Philippians 3:2,3. 2 Titus Chapter 3 Klaus G. Schiessel © January 2005 In Philippians 2:9-16 Paul elaborates on this theme by explaining it in terms of “…working out our salvation with fear and trembling”. Listen to Paul, writing from prison, as he talks about being ready for every good work Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. What are the attributes of ‘every good work”. Paul now lists them for us: [to speak evil of no one ] 987 blasphemeo (blas-fay-meh'-o); Literally, “injurious speech”. To vilify; specially, to speak impiously: blaspheme, defame, rail on, revile, to speak reproachfully, to be evil spoken of. [to be peaceable] 269 amachos (am'-akh-os); Literally, “without, instead of or opposed to battling/fighting/striving”; not contentious, abstaining from fighting, peaceable, i.e., without a ‘macho’ attitude. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” This then refers to only what the believer can do in having an attitude of forgiveness – he or she is not responsible for the other person to be peaceable. [gentle] 1933 epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace'); Literally “to take after/resemble” [weakness], appropriate behavior as becoming a Christian, by implication mild, patient, moderate, suitable, equitable. [Showing all humility to all men] 4236 praiotes (prah-ot'-ace); gentleness, by implication humility, mildness, meekness. There was a lot of false doctrine being propagated and it needed to be stopped. But in opposing the false teaching, Christians are to maintain an orderly and peaceful demeanor within the society they live – not speaking evil of anyone, being peaceable, gentle and showing an attitude of humility to all men. Paul next quickly moves from this subject to reminding Christians that before their conversion to faith in Jesus Christ they exhibited the same kinds of wicked and unruly behavior. Therefore, by remembering this, a believer will be ready to submit to authority, be ready for every good work, speaking evil of no one, being peaceable, gentle and humble before all men. Why can we be good citizens while here on earth? Because our real citizenship6 is in heaven. Note what Philippians 3:20 says “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ….” 6 Interestingly this word in the Greek is "politeuma" from which we get the word "politics" or "conversation" as it is translated in the King James. And ‘politics’ certainly does generate a lot of conversation. It refers to a “manner of life” within a commonwealth of people.