Understanding
The Bible |
BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1968
EXPOSITORY ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION 1:1-5
Origination
1:1-3
Paul, the writer, a servant of God.
The chain here begins "before the ages of time began, " continues
through the manifestation of that eternal life (in Christ's first advent),
through the faith and sanctification of those who believe the gospel, and
is finally completed in their glorification.
Salutation
4
Note:
GRACE - source of salvation - brings salvation
MERCY - channel of salvation - extends salvation
PEACE - result of salvation
Regulation
5
Restatement of purpose for which Titus was left on Crete.
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE LEADERS IN THE CHURCH 1:6-16 (cp. 1 Tim. 3:1-13)
Their
character 6-9a
In family or domestic life - blameless 6
In community or social life - blameless 7-8 (v.7 negative; v.8 positive)
In church life - blameless (i.e., orthodox) 9a
Their work 9b-c
To exhort saints 9b
To convince gainsayers 9c
Their necessity 10-16
Because of the
PRESENCE of false teachers - legalists 10
It was easy for false teachers to get crowds to listen, because
their appeal was to the natural man. The psychical appeal is easy
to put across. We must touch the spirit of men by the Word if we
are to get results.
Because of the PRACTICE of the false teachers - after money 11-15 They were loafers; liars; given to Jewish fables. They had turned from the truth. The "pure" (15) here are such as are sanctified by faith and thus are not bound by Jewish law concerning the eating of meat, etc.
Because of the
PROFESSION of the false teachers 16
They profess to know God, but there is no reality. The profession
is made for an ulterior purpose.
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING TALK AND WALK OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH 2:1-10 (cp. 1 Tim. 5)
The aged
men 1-2
"Healthy doctrine" - "healthy in the faith"
The aged
women 3
That they may be examples to the younger women
The young
women 4-5
"That the Word of God be not blasphemed"
The young
men 6-8
"That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no
evil to say of you." Titus was to be an example for the young men.
Servants
9-10
"That they may adorn the doctrine of God, " i.e., "set
it off to best advantage - in the best light" (cp. Eph. 4:11).
The figure is that of providing the best setting for a precious stone.
The way to do it: Phil. 1:27; 2:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:9.
REASONS
FOR SUCH LIVING 2:11-15
Because of what GRACE has done.
Manifestation
of grace 11
It HATH appeared - with the purpose of providing available salvation
for all men.
Instructions of grace 12-13
Teaches concerning WALK 12-13
NEGATIVELY 12a
"Ungodliness" - the natural self; "worldly desire"
- not merely worldly amusements; seeking our satisfaction in
things of this life - this world system (kosmos); how the ungodliness
of natural man expresses itself. Ungodly man is not necessarily
a heinous sinner; he just lives without taking God into account
(i.e., God-less). We are to DENY these!
POSITIVELY 12b-13
Walk SOBERLY with respect to ourselves.
Walk RIGHTEOUSLY with respect to others.
Walk GODLY with respect to God. (Walk LOOKING!)
Teaches concerning
GOOD WORKS 14
(Another possible division, but see below.)
The threefold purpose of GRACE 14
To set us free
14a
"Redeem us from all iniquity" (i.e., buy us out of slavery
to sin and set us free to do His will).
To set us apart
14b
"Purify unto Himself a peculiar people" (i.e., "a
people for His own possession"; a peculiar people in that they
belong to Him alone. We are His treasure. . We have a relation and
duty to Him that we have to no one else. He has set us apart, having
purified us.).
To set us on fire
14c
"Zealous of good works." "The zeal of thine house
hath eaten me up." Ps. 69:9; John 2:17; 4:34; Isa. 59:17.
Someone says: "I don't do anything wrong or go any place I
shouldn't." That is not enough; neither does a cabbage! We
must zealously be doing His will!
[To be good in the sight of God, a work must have:
The right MOTIVE - 2 Cor. 5:14, "The love of Christ constraineth
me'
The right METHOD - 2 Tim. 3:16-17, "according to the Word"
The right PURPOSE - 1 Cor. 10:31, "for the glory of God']
The authority
of GRACE 15
Grace provides adequate salvation for all, adequate instruction for
all believers, adequate hope, adequate life purpose. The grace that
saves us teaches us; we are not saved by grace and taught by law. The
standard of the believer's walk is not Moses but Christ. Our guidebook
is the Epistles.
Note:
In the PAST there is GRACE | A Great REVELATION 11 |
In the PRESENT there is GODLINESS | A Great OBLIGATION 12, 14 |
In the FUTURE there is GLORY | A Great INSPIRATION 13 |
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE MEMBERS AS CITIZENS 3:1-8
In relation to the state 1
Subjection 1a
Obedience 1b
In relation to other citizens 2
Gentleness - the outward act 2a
Meekness - the inward spirit behind the act 2b
Reasons for such living 3:3-8
What we were 3
How we were changed
4-6
According to His mercy, and His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting.
Security! By the "bath" of regeneration (water of Word)
and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (work of the Wind of heaven)
(cp. Jn. 3:5,8).
Results of that
change 5-7
Saved, regenerated, justified, made heirs!
Evidence of the
change 8
This is just as important a "faithful saying" as 1 Timothy
1:15. "Be careful to maintain good works"! We should have
a reputation for that kind of living.
CONCLUSION 3:9-15
Things
and persons to avoid 9-11
It is unfortunate that verses 10 and 11 are being ignored today.
Personal
instructions 12-14
Truth may become rancid, stagnant. It must be flowing through this life
in a steady stream of good works.
Salutation-and benediction 15
EVIDENTLY PAUL IS AGAIN ARRESTED, TAKEN TO ROME, BUT THIS TIME PUT IN A DUNGEON.
"Mason's Notes"
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