This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
- Titus 3:8-9
In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul focuses on sound doctrine and practical living. The gospel is not merely an idea to be believed but a truth to be lived out. After describing God’s merciful work of salvation in Titus 3:4-7 (which you can read more about here and here), he shifts to the practical implications for the Christian community. Believers must devote themselves to good works, while at the same time avoiding divisive and fruitless disputes. For the church today, these verses speak directly to the tension we often feel between living out our faith actively in love and being distracted by arguments that do not advance God’s Kingdom.
Paul begins in verse 8 with, “This is a trustworthy saying.” This phrase likely refers back to the gospel summary in the previous verses, affirming that the message of salvation by God’s mercy, rebirth, renewal by the Spirit, and justification by grace is completely reliable. He wants Titus and the churches in Crete to hold fast to this truth without wavering. The gospel is trustworthy; the Church’s foundation is not shifting sand but solid truth.
Then Paul charges Titus, as a church leader, to emphasize the gospel truths consistently. This wasn’t to be a one-time sermon but an ongoing theme. The gospel is not just the entry point to Christianity; it is the message that must continually be stressed to keep the church healthy. Leaders today can be tempted to shift focus to what seems more practical, entertaining, or marketable. But Paul reminds us that stressing the gospel is the most practical thing we can do. When believers are grounded in what God has done, they are motivated and empowered to live faithfully.
Paul explains the purpose: “so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” Faith in God is not passive. True trust leads to an intentional commitment to doing good works. This is not salvation by works but salvation that leads to good works (see James 2:14-26). Doing good is not only an act of obedience to God but also a blessing to society. Christians are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), demonstrating the goodness of God in tangible ways.
For Christ followers now, being “devoted to doing good” means more than sporadic acts of kindness. It means living with a posture of service by meeting needs, seeking justice, and extending mercy in everyday life. Churches must cultivate a culture where good works are the natural outflow of faith, not optional extras.
After urging devotion to good, Paul gives a contrast to that in verse 9: “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” In the church in Crete, some false teachers were obsessed with speculative debates about genealogies (possibly Jewish myths about ancestry), arguments over the finer points of the Mosaic law, and controversies that stirred division rather than building faith. These disputes wasted time and distracted believers from living out the gospel.
We may think these things don’t apply to the Church today since we don’t get hung up on debating genealogies or the Mosaic law. But we do get sidetracked by debates that are similarly unprofitable. We have long online debates over secondary theological issues. We have division over cultural or political matters that overshadow the gospel. We may get obsessed with speculative end-times predictions or conspiracy theories. But Paul’s warning is clear: the church’s energy should not be consumed by fruitless quarrels. Our calling is not to win arguments but to live out the truth in love.
This passage from Titus calls us as believers to live in balance. On the one hand, we must be devoted to good works, actively serving, loving, and blessing others. On the other hand, we must avoid distractions that derail our mission, arguments that divide and consume energy without producing fruit. This balance is difficult. Some Christians emphasize good works but neglect doctrinal clarity. Others focus on doctrinal disputes but neglect practical love. Paul insists that both matter: sound doctrine fuels good works, and foolish disputes undermine them.
How can we work through this? First, church leaders should continually stress the gospel message, not assuming people already know it. The gospel motivates good works and keeps us from drifting into speculation. Second, we should encourage believers to see good works as a daily devotion, not occasional charity. Highlight stories of service, celebrate them, and model them. Third, we should learn and then teach others how to distinguish between core doctrines that must be defended (like salvation by grace alone) and secondary issues where disagreement is acceptable. Finally, we should promote a spirit of humility, patience, and love in the church. Unity does not mean uniformity, but it requires believers to stay focused on Christ rather than peripheral controversies.
This passage presents a vision for the Christian life that is both simple and difficult at the same time: stress the gospel, devote yourselves to doing good, and avoid distractions that are unprofitable and useless. For the Church today, these words are an important reminder. We live in a world where endless debates, controversies, and distractions threaten to consume our attention. But Paul directs us back to what matters: grounding ourselves in the trustworthy gospel and expressing that faith through good works that bless everyone. This is the kind of church the world needs to see today.
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