Titus 3 structure

As I mentioned recently, one thing that stands out in Titus is the number of times works are mentioned. There are good (agathos) works, there are beautiful (kalos) works, and there are righteous (dikaiosune) works. All three of these turn up four times in chapter three, with beautiful (kalos) works turning up twice, as well as a third use of kalos (translated excellent in the NIV, in parallel with profitable).

What stands out is, for the four times works occur in this chapter (v1,5,8,14), between the first and second, and between the third and fourth, there is a description of the opposite of good works, including disobedience, depravity and division. 3:3, 9-10 essentially describe the type of person previewed back in 1.16 - the person who is unfit for, and unable to do, good works. 

There is also, along with 2.11-14, the greatest and clearest description of the gospel in this short letter, in 3.5b-7, which occurs between the second and third occurrences of works.  This reveals this structure:

A 3.1-2 Remind them about relationships with others, and to be ready for good works (ἔργον ἀγαθὸν)

B 3.3 We used to be pretty awful people

C 3.4-5a God saved us - not by our own righteous works (ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ)

D 3.5b-7 We were saved by Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, in the hope of eternal life

C'3.8 Those who believe in God should be devoted to good works (καλῶν ἔργων)

B' 3.9-11 There is no more place for those who behave in awful ways

A' 3.12-15 Those with whom I am in relationship with; remind people to commit to good works (καλῶν ἔργων)

I like the way this structure begins and opens with practical examples of good works, moves through descriptions of the opposite of good works, then back to good works, and finally, moving to the centre, has this beautiful description of the saving gospel. 

I've only just started working on this passage, but looking forward to preaching on it in a couple of weeks to conclude our short Titus series.