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Titus 3 verses 1 through 3
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.
2 They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.
3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.
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Context: Paul is continuing his list of good behaviors from chapter 2.
Phrases:
Remind them to be –
- hyp-om-im-nḗs-kō is a compound word meaning remind quietly, that is, to suggest to the memory.
- Today we may say, I gave him a gentle reminder.
- Hypo means under. It is the opposite of hyper. Since the word is associated with verbally reminding others, then hypo means to quietly remind them.
- mim-nḗs-kō means to remind or to call to mind.
- Them is referring to the Cretans.
subject to rulers and authorities-
A) subject
- hyp-ot-ás-sō is a compound word meaning to subordinate.
- Hypo means under.
- Tas-so means to arrange in an orderly manner.
B) rulers
- ar-chḗ means chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank).
- English also uses this word, arch, and is used in several different ways, including as a chief.
C) authorities
- ex-ou-sí-a means privilege.
- In this context it means magistrate, superhuman, potentate.
- In other words, in this context, it means those who are privileged to be in ruling power.
Romans 13
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment
3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation,
4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.
Discussion Questions:
- Give an example of the difference between a quite reminder vs a loud reminder?
- Why would Paul choose to remind with a quite reminder when talking about submission to authorities and rulers?
- Why should Christians be submissive to rulers and authorities?
- When should a Christian not submit to rulers?
to be obedient-
- pei-tharch-é-ō is a compound word which means to be persuaded by a ruler.
- peí-thōa means to convince.
- Ar-che already mentioned above, chief.
Discussion Question:
- Name leaders in your life that you should obey?
to be ready for every good work –
A) ready
- hét-oi-mos means adjusted, i.e. ready.
B) every
- Pas means all, any, every, the whole.
C) good
- ag-ath-ós means good.
D) work
- ér-gon means to work, toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act.
Discussion Questions:
- Name a sport and how to get ready to play it?
- To do good works, what do we first have to remove to be ready?
- Name some good works?
- What holds Christians back from doing good works?
They must not slander anyone-
- blas-phē-mé-ō means to vilify, to speak impiously.
- Vilify – Webster defines as to say or write very harsh and critical things about (someone or something).
- Impiously- Webster defines as lacking in reverence or proper respect.
Discussion Questions:
- What are things you remember from James’ letter regarding the tongue?
- Why must a Christian be so careful with his words?
- Can you name a friend or family member that is respectful toward all people with their speech?
but be peaceable-
ám-ach-os means peaceable.
gentle-
- epi-ei-kḗs is a compound word meaning appropriate, by implication, mild.
- It seems to mean to take on someone’s temperament which for most situations is peaceable, in other words, don’t be disruptive.
showing complete courtesy to all people-
Courtesy
- pra-ÿ-tēs means mildness, i.e. (by implication) humility.
- Mildness – Webster defines as gentle in nature or behavior; not strong in action or effect.
- Humility – Webster defines as showing that you do not think of yourself as better than other people.
Discussion Questions:
- Can you think of a public figure who is recognized as peaceable, gentle, and courteous?
- How does this behavior go against the way of the world?
For –
- gár is a conjunction connecting this verse to the last verse.
- The last verses were positive attributes.
- This verse contains negative attributes of how we were before our regeneration.
we too were once foolish-
A) Once
- pot-é means at some time, ever.
B) Foolish
- an-ó-ē-tos means unintelligent.
- a – gives a negative meaning to the following Greek word.
- noi-é-ō means to exercise the mind.
- It seems to mean someone who has not thought things through.
- Young’s Literal Translation translates this word as thoughtless.
Discussion Question:
- How did you think about your impulsive desires before your conversion compared to after your conversion?
disobedient-
- ap-ei-thḗs means unpersuadable.
- a, makes the following word opposite.
- peí-thō means to convince.
Discussion Question:
- Explain the heart attitude of a lost person vs a Christian when they are confronted with their sinful behavior.
misled-
- plan-á-ō means to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).
- Darby’s translation says, wandering in error.
Discussion Question:
- Have you ever walked in the woods with no compass, or drove in a city with no map or gps? How different do you feel with a compass, map, or navigator?
enslaved to various passions and desires-
A) enslaved
- doul-eú-ō means to be a slave to.
B) passions
- epi-thy-mí-a means a longing (especially for what is forbidden).
C) desires
- hē-don-ḗ means sensual delight.
- The English word hedonism is from this word. Hedonism is the belief that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal in life.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever met an addict? What did their addiction look like?
- Explain how you feel after gorging on a restaurant buffet vs how you feel after using self control?
- Why didn’t we use self control before our salvation?
spending our lives in evil and envy-
A) spending
- di-ág-ō means to pass time or life.
B) evil
- kak-í-a means badness.
C) envy
- phthón-os means ill-will, i.e. jealousy (spite).
hateful and hating one another-
A) hateful
- styg-nē-tós means hated, that is, odious.
- Odious – Webster defines as causing hatred or strong dislike.
- ESV says “hated by others”.
B) hating
- mis-é-ō means to detest.
- Detest – Webster defines as to dislike (someone or something) very strongly.
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Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage.
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Are We Kind to Quietly Remind?
Bob,
Gently remind younger brothers and sisters to submit to rulers and authorities. Don’t provoke their already rebellious-leaning heart with harsh words. Instead, be wise and kind in how you persuade them. Also, be an example for them in society, church, and at work.
Don’t let sin hold you back from doing good. Sin wants to trap you in situations that will make you unfit for service. Stay unfettered from sin’s purpose that your conscience may stay clean to do good works.
Don’t be disruptive as the world teaches. Instead, be gentle, mild, humble, and peaceable toward all men.
Never forget your old way of life. You were completely selfish only following your freshly desires. You wandered the world with no guidance. But then the miracle happened-everything changed-you were reborn by My Spirit!