Titus 3:12–15 “The Fruit of Good Works”

Titus 3:12-15 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Vertical Worship – Yes I Will
• God of Justice – Tim Hughes
• Ever Be – Bethel Music

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Faith Without Works Is Dead – Sunday school object lesson – Lesson for Kids
• Whole Lotta Change | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• The Lord’s Plans | HLA Egypt | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• My God Is Powerful | True North VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

At the end of the letter, the Apostle closes with a few personal greetings and requests. He says he will send Artemas and Tychicus to the island of Crete, and when they arrive, Titus is instructed to come to him “quickly” (v. 12). Nicopolis was a city located along the southwestern coast of the Macedonian peninsula. The Apostle mentions that he has decided to spend the winter there. Nothing is known about Artemas, but Tychicus is mentioned elsewhere (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7). The Apostle held Tychicus in high regard and trusted him deeply.

The Apostle also instructs that “Zenas the lawyer and Apollos” (v. 13) be sent quickly and that they be helped “so that they have everything they need.” Nothing is known about Zenas, but Apollos was a Jewish man of the Diaspora, born in Alexandria, and described as “a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24). He had preached “John’s baptism” in Ephesus, but through Paul came to know the gospel of Jesus Christ. He became an influential evangelist in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4–6). Supporting evangelists generously is the “good work” (v. 14) that believers are called to do. The Apostle refers to this as “fruit.”

Finally, the Apostle conveys greetings from those who are with him. He does not mention their names specifically, but Artemas and Tychicus were likely among them. He describes the recipients of the letter as “those who love us in the faith.”

Meditation:

In the Pastoral Epistles, the Apostle places special emphasis on the fruit of faith or the transformation of life. In other letters, he showed greater concern for “sound faith” or “sound doctrine.” But in the Pastoral Epistles, the focus shifts toward “right conduct” or “faithful practice.”

At first, the Apostle Paul was zealous about proclaiming the right belief. He assumed that right practice would naturally flow from right belief. However, even after considerable time had passed, he did not see in the believers the kind of faithful practice that matched their professed faith. Therefore, he began to stress the right practice as well. Only when there is fruit can faith be called genuine faith. Only when there is visible fruit will unbelievers be willing to listen to the gospel.

The Apostle calls this fruit “good works” (v. 14). The Greek word kalos, translated as “good,” can also mean “right,” “noble,” “beneficial,” or “fitting.” When we live in a right relationship with God, we come to know and to do what is best, right, and beneficial in each situation. This is God’s “wisdom.”

Knowledge can be acquired, but wisdom must be realized. Knowledge stops at knowing, but wisdom leads to action. Human wisdom seeks “what is beneficial for me,” but God’s wisdom seeks “what is beneficial for all.” Often, what is beneficial for all may appear harmful to oneself. Yet in time, one discovers that it is ultimately beneficial for oneself as well.

Practicing God’s wisdom is something we must “learn” (v. 14). The Greek word manthano, translated “learn,” means “to master through experience.” The truth of God’s Word cannot be fully known unless it is practiced. What may seem harmful at first, when carried out faithfully, reveals itself to be truly beneficial. That is why the Apostle instructs Titus to teach the believers to practice “good works.”

Prayer:

Lord of wisdom, it is clear that at times we think ourselves wiser than You. Otherwise, how could we pick and choose from Your Word as we please? Forgive our disobedience and help us to be faithful and steadfast in Your Word. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God wants our faith to show through our actions. Good works are the “fruit” that proves our faith is real.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What are some “good works” you can do to show Jesus’ love to your family or friends?
  • Why do you think God wants us to not just “know” His Word but to “do” it?
  • How does helping others also end up helping ourselves?
    
• Youth
  • Paul says good works are “fruit” of faith. What do you think happens if a tree never grows fruit? How does that compare to faith without works?
  • God’s wisdom often asks us to do things that don’t seem good for us at first. Can you think of a time when doing the right thing was hard but later brought a blessing?
  • How can your life show unbelievers that the gospel is real—not just in words, but in action?