Titus 2:15-3:1

 Titus 2:15-3:1 (ESV)

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

There are five present tense, active verbs in Titus 2:15-3:1. They are active, ongoing commands to Titus as he brings leadership to the churches on Crete. The verbs are declare, exhort, rebuke, let disregard, and remind.

Three of these verbs are related to “these things.” Titus is instructed to declare, exhort, and rebuke people concerning “these things.” What things? “These things” are the things he has just written. They are the gospel. In the previous four verses he wrote that sound living results from sound doctrine. Renouncing ungodliness and living godliness are the result of the gospel. The grace of God is in the ongoing process of training us in godliness. Sound doctrine includes these three truths. 1. The gospel of salvation. 2. The truth that when we were saved, we were changed. It is the good news not only of forgiveness, but of transformation and new identity. 3. The reality of Jesus coming again. Titus is instructed to declare, exhort, and rebuke these three truths. They are the foundation of Christian living.

He is to declare them. The word simply means to speak. We ought never tire of speaking the core truths of the gospel. They need to be spoken clearly. They need to be spoken repeatedly. The need to be spoken passionately. Titus is told to speak them. He is also told to exhort. When I hear exhort I often think correction, chiding, putting someone in their place. The word actually means to encourage. As leaders, as teachers, and as fellow believers we ought to be encouraging one another often with the truth of the gospel. We are saved. We are changed. We have hope. Encourage one another with these words. Titus is to speak and encourage concerning these things. He is also to rebuke. The word means to expose or convince. It is never our job to play Holy Spirit. We cannot change anyone’s heart or mind. But, when teachings or lifestyles are not consistent with the grace of the gospel, we ought to say so. The grace of the gospel is so foundational to the Christian life that we have a responsibility to not allow anyone to influence others to move from grace to law without at least trying to speak truth into their lives. Titus is instructed by Paul to speak, encourage, and expose these things.