Titus 3:14
in Titus 3And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
KJV
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
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This verse in Titus 3
Commentary
13 notes on this verseBut also let our people learn to lead in good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful. He had said above: Send Zenas, the teacher of the law, and Apollo and care for them that nothing be wanting to them.
This site's exposition
As soon as I send Artemas
on Titus 3:12-14
Titus is to join Paul at Nicopolis, where Paul has decided to winter. The winter is the season behind the request for the cloak and books at 2 Timothy 4:13.
This site's exposition
to meet the pressing needs
The letter's last order returns to good works. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown read the pressing needs first as the wants of the travelling teachers just named. Matthew Henry states the wider point, that the Christian profession is not a fruitless one.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Nevertheless, after the apostle had said in such instruction and advice: "Now such persons we charge and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ that they work quietly and eat their own bread," he was mindful of such needs of the holy persons who, although they would obey his commands to work quietly and eat their own bread, would, for many reasons, lack some provision of such necessary commodities. Hence, with foresight he added immediately: "But you, brothers, do not grow tired of well-doing," so that those who had the means of furnishing sustenance to the servants of God would not grow careless in this respect. Furthermore, when in writing to Titus he said: "Help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, taking care that nothing be wanting to them." He continued thus, in order to show why nothing should be lacking in their regard: "And let the people also learn to excel in good works, in order to meet cases of necessity, that they may not be unfruitful."
Ver. 14, 15. "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith." That is, either those that love Paul himself, or those men that are faithful. "Grace be with you all. Amen." "And let ours," he says, "learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." You observe that he is more anxious for them than for those who are to receive their kindnesses. For they might probably have been brought on their way by many others, but I am concerned, he says, for our own friends. For what advantage would it be to them, if others should dig up treasures, and maintain their teachers? This would be no benefit to them, for they remained unfruitful. Could not Christ then, Who with five loaves fed five thousand men, and with seven loaves fed four thousand, could not He have supported Himself and His disciples? For what reason then was He maintained by women? For women, it is said, followed Him, and ministered unto Him. (Mark xv. 41.) It was to teach us from the first that He is concerned for those who do good. Could not Paul, who supported others by his own hands, have maintained himself without assistance from others? But you see him receiving and requesting aid. And hear the reason for it. "Not because I desire a gift," he says, "but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." (Phil. iv. 17.)
Let our own also learn to devote themselves to good works for necessary needs, so that they may not be unfruitful. Let our own also learn. The statement concerning teaching, or concerning instruction, as if Paul said: They themselves showed themselves to be generous towards …
The Medieval Church2 voices
Hence he continues, let our men also learn, namely, that the faithful provide for their prelates as the Jews do. And he says, our, namely, subjects, should learn to excel the Jews and others from Asia who provide for their preachers and the needy. And …
As if he says: it would have been possible for me to make the aforementioned persons not in need by other means, but I do not wish to — so that "our people," that is, those around you, might learn from the fact that you …
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And let ours also learn to maintain good works,.... By which are not only meant honest trades, as some choose to render the words: it is true, that a trade is a work; and an honest lawful employment of life is a good work; and which ought to be maintained, attended to, and followed, and to be learnt, in order to be followed.
That they be not unfruitful. Christianity is not a fruitless profession; the professors of it must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
And let others also learn to maintain good works - There is something very remarkable in this expression. The words καλων εργων προΐστασθαι, which we translate to maintain good works, occur also in Tit 3:8; and some think they mean, to provide for our own, and the necessities of others, by working at some honest occupation; and that this was necessary to be taught to the Cretans, let Ours also learn, etc., who were naturally and practically idle gluttons. Kypke observed that the words mean, 1. To be employed in good works.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
And . . . also--Greek, "But . . . also." Not only thou, but let others also of "our" fellow believers (or "whom we have gained over at Crete") with thee. for necessary uses--to supply the necessary wants of Christian missionaries and brethren, according as they stand in need in their journeys for the Lord's cause.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And let ours - Our friends; that is, those who were Christians Paul had just directed Titus to aid Zenas and Apollos himself, and he here adds that he wished that others who were Christians would be char acterized by good works of all kinds. To maintain good works - Margin, profess honest trades. The Greek will admit of the interpretation in the margin, or will include that, but there is no reason why the direction should be supposed to have any special reference to an honest mode of livelihood, or why it should be confined to that. It rather means, that they should be distinguished for good works, including benevolent deeds, acts of charity, honest toil, and whatever would enter into the conception of an upright life; see the notes at Tit 3:8. For necessary uses - Such as are required by their duty to their families, and by the demands of charity; see Tit 3:8. That they be not unfruitful - - That it may be seen that their religion is not barren and worthless, but that it produces a happy effect on themselves and on society; compare the Joh 15:16 note; Eph 4:28 note.
The words behind it
16 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| μανθανέτωσαν | manthanetosan | should learn | G3129 → | |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| οἱ | hoi | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἡμέτεροι | hemeteroi | our own [people] | G1473 → | 839 times |
| καλῶν | kalon | to good | G2570 → | 101 times |
| ἔργων | ergon | works | G2041 → | 168 times |
| προΐστασθαι | proistasthai | to devote themselves | G4291 → | |
| εἰς | eis | for | G1519 → | |
| τὰς | tas | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἀναγκαίας | anagkaias | necessary | G316 → | |
| χρείας, | chreias | needs, | G5532 → | |
| ἵνα | ina | so that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| μὴ | me | not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| ὦσιν | osin | they may be | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἄκαρποι.¶ | akarpoi | unfruitful. | G175 → |
μανθανέτωσανshould learn
manthanetosanG3129 →
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
οἱ<the>
hoiG3588 →19766 times
ἡμέτεροιour own [people]
hemeteroiG1473 →839 times
καλῶνto good
kalonG2570 →101 times
ἔργωνworks
ergonG2041 →168 times
προΐστασθαιto devote themselves
proistasthaiG4291 →
εἰςfor
eisG1519 →
τὰς<the>
tasG3588 →19766 times
ἀναγκαίαςnecessary
anagkaiasG316 →
χρείας,needs,
chreiasG5532 →
ἵναso that
inaG2443 →668 times
μὴnot
meG3361 →1066 times
ὦσινthey may be
osinG1510 →2333 times
ἄκαρποι.¶unfruitful.
akarpoiG175 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Colossians 1:10so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
it leads to
- Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
- Hebrews 13:21
equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 2 Peter 1:2–3
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
- John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
- 1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
- Ephesians 4:1
Through
Philippians 1:11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
it leads to
- Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
- John 15:8
This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.
- Hebrews 12:11
Through
Matthew 7:19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
it leads to
- Matthew 3:10
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
- Matthew 3:10
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies11
About Titus
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, On the Work of Monks 15.16; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Titus; John Chrysostom, Homily on Titus 6; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON TITUS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Titus and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Titus.