Titus 3:4-6
Titus 3:4
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man
appeared,"
"but after that" - "but when"
Here is the contrast with out past life. What we have become, in contrast
to what we once were, gives a powerful motive for godly living.
What we are is no cause for celebration! Any change for the better is the
result of God's salvation given freely and to those who had done nothing
to earn or deserve His mercy.
In these verses we have the source (v. 4), the basis (v. 5a), the means
(vv. 5b, 6), and the result (v. 7) of salvation.
"the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man"
This is the historical starting point of our salvation. These are the two
aspects of the grace mentioned in 2:11.
His "kindness" is (chreistoteis) - "goodness; gentleness;
kindness; virtue"
Kindness, or gentleness, is the practical outworking of God's grace thinking;
He thinks grace at all times. In this case, "kindness" is God's
mental attitude of love toward the human race.
It is through His goodness that we see God's grace attitude.
Ephesians 2:7 "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding
riches of his grace in his kindness (chreistoteis) toward us through Christ
Jesus."
But some people despise God's goodness.
Romans 4:4 "Do you despise the riches of his goodness (chreistoteis)
and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God
leads you to repentance?"
Through His goodness, God is always ready to bestow blessing and forgiveness.
His "love toward man" is (philanthropia) - "love of mankind;
benevolence"
This word when used for a human being means "humanitarianism".
On the part of God, (philanthropia) refers to His infinite divine love for
all people, out of His perfect divine character.
See John 3:16
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friend."
Contrast this divine attitude to the human disposition portrayed in verse
3. We see that God hates the sinner's sin, but He loves the sinner, and
He longs to save him. God is the great Philanthropist.
And true human philanthropy is based on divine love.
"The goodness and love of God to man, on which our salvation is based,
should lead us to show benevolence and gentleness to all men." (John
Huther, "Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Epistles of St. Paul
to Timothy and Titus.")
"appeared", (epiphainw) - "has been revealed; has been caused
to appear" (the verb in the aorist passive indicative)
The noun form is (epiphaneia) - "appearance; manifestation; glorious
display"
Read 2 Tim. 1:9,10
Compare Titus 2:11
The implication here is that these characteristics of God were always there
but that there was a distinct manifestation of them in the coming of Christ,
leading to a proclamation of the Gospel.
Glimpses of these attributes of God are seen in the Old Testament, certainly,
but it was especially in the announcement to the world of salvation in Christ
that the kindness and love of God are brought fully to the world's attention.
He now stands revealed as our Savior.
Topic: ESSENCE OF GOD
Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;"
"not by works of righteousness which we have done"
The phrase "he saved us" in this verse states that the act of
salvation is an accomplished fact. The word "us" indicates all
those who have accepted Christ as Savior. Although salvation is not complete,
and awaits its total summing up at the return of Christ, it is the present
possession of all those who by faith have been united to Christ.
Topic: POSITIONAL TRUTH
Paul states both the negative and positive of the salvation process.
Salvation IS NOT by our works of personal righteousness. We did no works
which merited or called forth God's salvation or which were acceptable to
God in the sphere of righteousness. "Not of works, lest anyone should
boast."
Salvation IS by the grace of God through regeneration and renewal. Salvation
lies entirely in God. He was moved with compassion for us sinners; He acted
out of love to originate and bring about our salvation.
"by the washing of regeneration".
The word translated "washing" is (loutron) which appears only
in one other place in the New Testament, Ephesians 5:26. It means either
"the place or water in which a bath is taken" or "the act
of bathing or washing".
In Ephesians 5:26, the Bible speaks of the cleansing of the church "by
the washing of water with the word." The cleansing is brought about
by applying the Word of God to the heart and conscience.
There are other passages where the Word of God is said to be applied to
bring about salvation (1 Peter 1:23: James 1:18).
So, as the Word of God is applied to the heart, under the Holy Spirit's
ministry of revelation and conviction, when a person believes in Christ
regeneration is brought about by the Spirit. Regeneration is the initial
experience of salvation, brought about in a person at the moment faith is
placed in Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross.
Some commentators regard the "washing" as a reference to water
baptism. Even if this interpretation is allowed, then baptism must be interpreted
as the outward sign of the inner experience. Baptism is the consequent testimony
of the spiritual washing (by the Word) that has taken place.
In the New Testament, water baptism is the outward symbol of the inner spiritual
reality. Apart from the inner reality, the outward symbol has no value.
Paul asserts this truth in relation to circumcision (Rom. 2:25-29).
"regeneration" expresses a new state of things. The Greek word
(paliggenesias) occurs elsewhere only in Matthew 19:28, where it refers
to the rebirth of external nature and creation at the revelation of Christ
in glory. Here it refers to the rebirth of the soul, the "born again"
of John 3.
Topic: REGENERATION
"and renewing of the Holy Spirit"
The statement on this phrase comes from "Titus and Philemon" by
D. Edmond Hiebert, Moody Press, 1957. [with which I concur. wd]
"Grammatically, two constructions are possible of the words 'the washing
of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.' One view regards both
'regeneration' and 'renewing' as dependent on the word 'washing.' (See the
text of the American Standard Version.) On this view the regeneration is
further described as the renewing of the Holy Spirit, both pointing to the
same divine act.
"The other construction holds that the preposition "through"
governs both the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
This give us two facts instead of just one. The renewing work of the Holy
Spirit, begun at regeneration, is then viewed as continuing in the life
of the believer. We prefer this view. It is the reading given in the margin,
and implied by the comma, in the King James.
"In Ephesians 5:26 the mention of the cleansing of the church is supplemented
by the thought of the sanctification of the church till there shall be no
spot or blemish. In Romans 12:2 this renewal is presented as a continuing
experience. It is the development and extension of the regeneration initiating
the new life. It is the continuing work of the Spirit."
Titus 3:6
"Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;"
All three Persons of the Trinity are present and cooperating in the word
of Grace. Each Person has His function in the salvation of our soul.
Here, the Holy Spirit was made abundantly available to us to perform His
function in the regeneration and renewal process.
Topic: THE HOLY SPIRIT
Topic: SALVATION DOCTRINES
Summarizing the passage:
Titus 3:4, "But when the goodness and love toward mankind of God our
Savior has been revealed,"
Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of
the Holy Ghost;"
Titus 3:6, "Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;"
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