 | Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. |
 | And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. |
 | Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. |
| Titus 3:14 |
Commentary
Titus was to teach the other Christians (our people) to show hospitality, to care for the sick and afflicted, and to be generous toward those who were in need. Instead of working merely to meet their own needs and wants, they should have the distinctly Christian vision of earning money in order to share with the less privileged (see Eph. 4:28b). This would save them from the misery of selfishness and the tragedy of a wasted, unfruitful life.
Did you know?
Cretans were known for their laziness. Paul quotes the sixth century b.c. Cretan poet Epimenides who wrote: "The people of Crete always tell lies. They are greedy and lazy like wild animals" (Titus 1:12). To this poetic verse, Paul adds a nod: "That surely is a true saying" (Titus 1:13).
Miller, S. M., & Gross, P. (1998). How to get into the Bible. Includes index. (407). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.