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would tend to impress their truth upon the memory. Note the R.V. affirm confidently
rather than the A.V. affirm constantly. Diabebaioomai only occurs elsewhere in
I Tim. 1: 7 where it is used of the dogmatism of the false teachers. The Apostle was
insistent that the balance of truth should be constantly and confidently proclaimed by
Titus as a leader; that is to say, while salvation is of God's free grace, apart from any
human work, yet, once experienced, it must be followed by good works and Christ-like
living as an external fruit of the internal work of the Spirit. There have been some in our
day who have so stressed grace in the calling of the Body of Christ that the need for good
works has been ruled out, hence the need is still to stress this most practical note, for how
otherwise can we adorn or make beautiful the doctrine of God our Savior? (Titus 2: 10).
Ophelimos profitable is confined to these pastoral letters. I Tim. 4: 8 reminds us that
bodily exercise profiteth for a little while, not that it has no value at all. In moderation it
is necessary for health but it has to be continued for any lasting effect. Godliness,
however, is profitable unto all things (I Tim. 4: 8). II Tim. 3: 16 asserts that the
God-breathed holy Writings, the Scriptures, are `profitable for teaching, reproof,
correction and instruction which is in righteousness' (R.V.) and in Titus 3: 8 we have
the profit of this continued emphasis upon the good works in daily life which practically
exhibit the Truth connected with the Body of Christ. These must be maintained,
proistemi. This word is used intransitively, `to take the lead in'. The Apostle is
concerned that believers should not only continue in good works, but take the lead in
them, as examples to others. May God give us all grace to learn the proper place that this
epistle teaches concerning good works and to keep this constantly in mind and practice.
"but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law;
for they are unprofitable and vain" (3: 9 R.V.).
These were opposite to the conduct previously enjoined. They were as unprofitable as
the maintenance of good works was profitable. Timothy was warned by the Apostle in a
similar way, for he had to face like opposition as Titus did:
"If any man teacheth a different doctrine . . . . . he is puffed up, knowing nothing,
but doting about questionings and disputes of words whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth"
(I Tim. 6: 4, 5 R.V.)
These were the Judaistic opposers that Satan was using to seek to wreck the progress
of the truth.
"A man that is heretical after a first and second admonition refuse, knowing that such
a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned" (3: 10, 11 R.V.).
Heretical hairetikos from haireomai, to choose, really means a self-chooser, one who
has decided to reject revealed truth and choose his own ideas. This word has often been
used unjustly of those who have sought to progress in the knowledge and
acknowledgment of the Word of God, specially when this has conflicted with so-called
orthodoxy. Such have been forced to be `non-conformists' in the truest sense. The
Reformers were such, and going back to the beginning so was the Apostle Paul as judged
by some of his fellow countrymen: