Years ago, at the end of my sermon, I announced that the following Sunday I would begin a series on good works in the epistle to Titus. As the congregation filed out, one couple announced that they would not be coming back. They did not want to attend a church that taught about good works. They were wrong. Good works are the key to understanding Paul’s teaching in this epistle. In Titus, we find four abiding principles regarding good works.
In the epistle to Titus, there are two Greek terms used interchangeably for good: agathos and kalos. Agathos refers to that which is good in character and beneficial. Kalos is that which is intrinsically good or beautiful. (W. E. Vine) I use the illustration of Grandma saying to Johnny, Here is a piece of cake. It is good. This would be kalos. At another time, she might say to Johnny Here is a tablespoonful of cod liver oil. It is good. For those of us who are old enough to remember, she meant it was good (agathos) for us, not that it tasted good (kalos).
Paul left Titus in Crete to “set in order what remains, and to appoint elders in every city.” (v. 1:5). The elders, also known as overseers (v. 1:7), needed to be men who were “above reproach” in all aspects of daily life. Cretans had a reputation for being “rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers. . .” (v. 1:10). These overseers needed to “be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” (v. 1:9) The individuals to whom Paul was referring “professed to know God, but by their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good (agathos) deed.” (1:16) The first abiding principle is: To correct others, one must exemplify good (agathos) works. (Titus chapters 1-2)
Paul reiterated this principle in v. 2:7, but this time used the term kalos. While exhorting overseers, the context applies to everyone who professes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose was to put opponents to shame and maintain a good testimony. Paul moved his focus from overseers who teach in chapter 1 to every believer in chapter 2. The second abiding principle is: Good (kalos) works adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (v. 2:10) The third abiding principle is: God’s people need to be zealous for good (kalos) works. (v. 2:14)
In chapter 3, believers are to be exhorted to do whatever is beneficial, “to be ready for every good (agathos) work.” (v. 3:1) Everything we do is an opportunity to do good (agathos) works. What appears to be good (kalso) works (v. 3:8a, b) might be used by God to bring someone to Himself. We were not saved through our own works but by the good (kalos) works of others who, by so doing, demonstrated God’s love. (3:14)
The fourth outstanding and abiding principle is: Believers need always to be engaged in good (kalos) works.
For additional reading, see:
Good Works in the Book of Titus –