Titus 3:3-11
Anyone who has worked in the church has experienced the dread of conflict. As a pastor, I have felt that pit in my stomach walking into a meeting, knowing a controversy is on the table and must be addressed. Even in church (and perhaps, especially so) seemingly mundane issues can explode into all-out warfare. The color of the sanctuary carpet; a potluck versus catered lunch; the length of announcements in worship; and no cause is too small to take to a committee. Of course, there are deeper arguments, too: issues of misconduct, church leadership and staffing, finance, political division, and denominational decisions. All these issues can split congregations beyond repair when they are not dealt with in a spirit of grace.
Titus 3
God’s grace and human confrontation are the two central themes in Titus 3:3-11. The letter sent to Titus on the Greek isle of Crete offers instruction to the early Christian community on church management, leadership, Christian beliefs, and community life —including how to navigate conflict. Though attributed to Paul, most scholars think that Titus and the other pastoral letters like 1 and 2 Timothy were composed by a follower of Paul after his death.
The author of Titus begins our passage by recounting how this community acted before encountering Christ, that they were “foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another” (v. 3). Their behavior, it seems, did not reflect their identities as children of God, nor did they treat one another siblings in Christ. Yet God chose to show up for them with “goodness and loving kindness” (v.4), not because of anything they did to deserve it but because of Christ’s mercy and grace. After this theological proclamation, the author insists that this community engage in “good works” (v.8) while steering clear of unnecessary arguments.
In theological discussions, we often group concepts like grace and faith into one camp, and good works and service into another. But the epistle writer connects the two, arguing that the community at Crete should proclaim the truth of God’s grace and our hope for the life eternal, “so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works” (v.8). According to the letter to Titus, there are not separate camps for grace and good works; they are intrinsically connected. Knowing the truth of God’s goodness and grace, and the hope of salvation in Christ, compels a response of good works. Good works are the fruit of faith.
The good works the writer refers to are not arbitrary signs of piety; they are works centered in the love of community, actions that build trust and mutual respect among neighbors. This is not to say that the letter to Titus is not without its issues — Titus 2 deserves scrutiny for its instructions regarding women and slaves (2:5; 2:9). The actions described in Titus 3, however, center around the care and treatment of one another that benefits the entire community (3:2; 3:8-11; 3:14). Specifically, the author expresses concern with how the community handles conflict and encourages the people of Crete to walk away from arguments if they cannot be resolved (3:10).
Starting with grace
How do we know if an argument is worth our time and energy? How do we know if a conversation will build up community or tear it down? What causes are worth fighting for and when is it better to walk away?
While there may not be clear-cut answers to these questions, the starting point for conflict discernment is grace. Titus offers the insight that God’s grace abounds when conflict arises, not because we have earned it, but out of God’s mercy. Perhaps remembering this truth can shape our conversations so that we treat one another as fellow children of God, equally worthy of God’s abundant love. When we hear points of view that we vehemently disagree with, we can debate the issue at hand, and refrain from personal attacks that fail to recognize the image of God in one another.
When we face arguments about carpet color, Sunday lunch, and pulpit announcements and we want to roll our eyes, let us remember God’s grace. May we remember the one in whom we place our ultimate hope and see one another with the eyes of our creator.
For reflection
- What prevents us from leaning into grace amid conflict?
- How might God’s grace give new life to conflicts in your life?
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