Titus: Grace Precedes Obedience - Week 3 (Titus 1:10-16)
Titus 1:10-16
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Titus 1:10-16
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Titus 1:10-16 〰️ Titus 1:10-16 〰️
We're now in our third week of our series in Titus, and continuing the theme of our title: grace precedes obedience. In this week's passage, Paul warns Titus about a particular group, the locals of Crete. In v10-16, Paul warns of their deception and the dangers of false teachings.
While this whole passage this week feels like Paul roasting an entire group of people, the cultural and historical context of the time can shed light on why Paul was giving such strict caution against listening to the Cretans.
"Crete was known in the ancient world for its moral decadence. The ancient historian Polybius wrote that it was "almost impossible to find … personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete" (Histories, 6.47). Cicero also stated, "Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans … consider highway robbery honorable” (Republic,3.9.15).¹
With this in mind, we can have a more accurate glimpse of what was going on in Crete at the time, and see why Paul refuted their teachings and way of life. What is most interesting (and often overlooked) in this passage is Paul's reason: "...Rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in faith..." (v13). As we encounter false teaching and doctrines, Paul gives us the blueprint for correcting false doctrine. We correct false doctrine and sin, we're not to do so arrogantly so that we may be "right" and prove the other "wrong," but instead we are to give correction so that the truth would be made known, and Christ would be ultimately glorified.
We see a fleshed-out example of this in the book of Acts, where we read that the Bereans "were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11). So as we approach any teaching, even from us here at King's Table Church, we implore our people to be open to biblical instruction, swim in God's Word every day, and examine what it says so that we may know the truth.
Discussion Questions
Could someone read Titus 1:10-16 for us?
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
What does false teaching look like in our culture today?
What does Paul say can be the result of false teachings of God's Word?
How can we best prepare ourselves to recognize and respond to false teachers? (Hint: read Acts 17:11)
1. Ray Van Neste, CSB Study Bible: Notes (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1937.