Why are "good works" described as "profitable for the people"? Paul’s Trusted Summation “Titus 3:8—‘This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.’” Profitable: More Than Good Intentions • “Profitable” (Greek: ophelimos) carries the sense of “beneficial, advantageous, of real value.” • Paul isn’t describing abstract virtue; he is calling believers to actions that tangibly advance God’s purposes and bless human lives. Good Works Flow From Grace, Not From Self-Effort • Titus 3:5 reminds us: “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy…”. • Ephesians 2:8-10 pairs saving faith with prepared works: “we are His workmanship…created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” • Because salvation is purely by grace, good works become grateful overflow rather than merit-seeking labor. Why Good Works Are Profitable 1. They Display Authentic Faith – James 2:17: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – Good works make invisible belief visible, assuring fellow believers and persuading onlookers. 2. They Meet Real Human Need – Acts 10:38 portrays Jesus “doing good and healing all who were oppressed.” – Practical deeds—feeding, comforting, serving—relieve suffering and elevate community life. 3. They Adorn the Gospel – Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Consistent kindness authenticates the message we proclaim. 4. They Silence Critics – 1 Peter 2:12: “Conduct yourselves honorably…that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” – A lifestyle of service disarms slander and highlights the transformative power of Christ. 5. They Strengthen the Church – Galatians 6:10 urges believers to “do good to everyone, and especially to the household of faith.” – Mutual service cultivates unity, generosity, and spiritual maturity. 6. They Store Up Eternal Reward – 1 Timothy 6:18-19 speaks of “laying up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future.” – God graciously ties lasting reward to present obedience. The Ongoing Charge: “Stress These Things” • Paul presses Titus—and every gospel teacher—to keep urging believers toward active compassion. • Teaching doctrine without encouraging deed creates imbalance; urging deed without grounding in grace breeds legalism. Patterns Worth Pursuing Today • Serve your local church family: meals, visitation, childcare, practical skill-sharing. • Bless the wider community: honest work, civic responsibility, generosity to the poor. • Promote the gospel through hospitality, ethical business, and public integrity. Conclusion: Profitable for All Good works do not save, yet they spring from salvation and bring blessing in every direction—honoring God, persuading the watching world, building up the saints, and enriching the doer now and forever. |
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