Truth Said Over and Over Again

Let me say something I’ve said plenty of times before, because that’s part of the job: pastors repeat themselves. A lot. We try to come at things from different angles, with fresh illustrations or a sharper turn of phrase, but the core truths don’t change. And honestly, they shouldn’t. Scripture’s doctrines are simple and solid. But people are always hunting for some new, exciting angle that’ll finally crack things open for them.

Now sure, I’ve had moments where something finally clicked, God’s sovereignty in salvation was one of those for me. But most of the time, our problem isn’t ignorance. It’s that we don’t hold onto or apply what we already know.

That’s why a person who isn’t especially intellectual, doesn’t read much, not big into theology books, can still live a deeply holy, fruitful life. I’ve seen it again and again. Meanwhile, the clever types who are always reading another book, many of them are just using the next one to dodge obeying the last one.

So, yes, good preaching repeats itself. I try not to recycle stories too often, but I’ve learned to care less about being original and more about being helpful.

Which brings us right to verse 8.

Paul says, “The saying is trustworthy.” Some translations go with, “This is a trustworthy saying.” He uses this phrase all over the pastoral epistles—in 1 and 2 Timothy, and here in Titus. It’s usually attached to some kind of summary of the gospel.

Like in 1 Timothy 1:15:

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Or 2 Timothy 2:11–13:

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.”

So when Paul uses this phrase, he’s pointing to some kind of doctrinal shorthand: memorable little summaries of truth that the early church passed around. Think of them like proverbs for the New Testament church; doctrinal slogans with backbone; apostolic catchphrases you could hang your life on.

They were the kind of things you’d hear in catechism, or sung in early hymns, or recited during worship. Paul calls them “trustworthy” because they’re tested. They’re not fads. They’re worth memorizing, worth repeating, worth building your life and church around.

That’s why I push creeds and catechisms so hard, especially the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It’s a goldmine for modern Christians: clear, compact, saturated with Scripture. I think everyone should read through it once a year.

Honestly, I should be collecting royalties from G.I. Williamson’s estate. I’ve recommended his commentary on the Shorter Catechism more times than I can count. Buy it. Use it for family worship or personal devotions. He explains every question in a way that’s accessible, even if you’re not much of a reader. Just read your Bible and work through one chapter of this each week. You can do that; it’s not hard.

So, what “saying” is Paul referring to in Titus 3:8? He’s pointing back to that beautiful summary of the gospel we looked at in verses 4–7.

Then he says: “And I want you to insist on these things.”

Calvin has a great comment on this:

“Titus is therefore enjoined to disregard other matters, and to teach those which are certain and undoubted: to press them on the attention of their hearers: to dwell upon them: while others talk idly about things of little importance. A bishop must not make assertions at random, but only what he has ascertained to be true.”

In other words, a pastor must insist. He must repeat. He must make a big deal out of what actually matters.

Same spirit, different century, Luther once said in his Galatians commentary:

“The truth of the Gospel is the principal article of all Christian doctrine. It is most necessary that we know this article well, teach it to others, and beat it into their heads continually.”

And he was right. Though let’s be clear: some take that and narrow the gospel into just a script about Jesus’ death and resurrection, ignoring the rest of Scripture. That’s not the move. We don’t sideline the full counsel of God. But we do recognize that there are cardinal doctrines, core truths, that need to be repeated again and again. They’re the anchor.

Paul says to insist on these truths so that “those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” Doctrine drives duty. Belief shapes behavior. A church that insists on sound doctrine produces people who live sound lives.

False doctrine, on the other hand, demands nothing. It lets people stay the same or worsen. It flatters while requiring no repentance. But real doctrine leads to real devotion. It forms people who are solid, godly, and useful in the real world.

That’s why Paul calls these teachings “excellent and profitable.” You know what makes a good investment? Proven return. A stock that performs over time. Scripture does that. Especially the central truths, it changes lives.

When we preach the heart of Scripture, it reaches the heart of a man. It frees him from bitterness. It quiets her anxiety. It helps people stop seeing every conversation as a confrontation. They sleep better, even when life’s unsettled. They parent with confidence because they trust God’s promises for future generations.

God’s Word doesn’t just inform; it transforms. It bears fruit.

The great twin failures of modern preaching are these: either it doesn’t teach the truth, or it doesn’t apply the truth. But faithful preaching does both. It lays the truth out clearly, and shows how to walk it out simply. That’s how you build strong Christians and strong churches.