<p>3:2 <i>T</i><i>o speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, but to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men</i><i>- </i>One theme of Titus is that God&rsquo;s amazing grace and the certainty of salvation should be perceived so strongly by us that we will not argue about words and have strife with others (:9,10; 2:12). Those who trigger divisions amongst brethren over strife about words and meanings are reflecting their own insecurity concerning their personal salvation by grace alone. The Greek is literally 'not quarrelling', using the same word as we will meet in 3:9 for &quot;quarrels about the law&quot;. As observed on chapter 1, the Cretan converts were generally worldly and still very influenced by alcohol and the laid back, lazy life. But they were tempted to get involved with endless strivings about Jewish legal interpretation... And that makes psychological sense. They thought their uncommitted Christian life could be made right by a few acts of legalistic obedience, and getting involved in argument about abstract matters of interpretation. And the same has been seen so often in conservative Protestant circles.</p><p>Titus was to teach the Cretan brethren that because they had been washed and regenerated in baptism, therefore they were not to speak evil of others, because it was <i>in the past</i> that they used to be like that (Tit. 3:2-6). But they still <i>were</i> acting like that, even after baptism They are called upon to remember the implications of their baptism, and live out the status they thus attained before God.</p>