The Gospel According to Titus
The following is a summary of John Stott’s exposition of Titus 3:3-8 found in his commentary on 1 Timothy & Titus. According to Stott, these verses are “perhaps the fullest statement of salvation in the New Testament.” As such, they have become dear words to me, words that I’ve committed to memory and that I commend to all who claim Christ to memorize as well.
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”
The Three Persons of Salvation
These verses show that all three Persons of the Trinity play a role in our redemption. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to transfer people from death to eternal life.
The Father
”But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our savior appeared, He saved us.”
God, the Father, saved us by His loving initiative and faithful plan.
The Son
”He saved us… through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
In accordance with the Father’s will, Jesus selflessly died on the cross so that we would receive God’s mercy and grace.
The Holy Spirit
”He saved us… by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
The Spirit applies the work of Christ to each of our hearts, cleansing them and making them new.
The Three Tenses of Salvation
These verses also speak of the past, present, and future of our salvation, giving a comprehensive view of God’s work of redemption in each of our lives.
Our Past
”For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray… But God saved us… by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit… through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace…”
We were sinful, guilty, and enslaved, but God regenerated us, justified us, and set us free by the complete work of Christ.
Our Present
”So that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.”
Now, having been made new, we put our salvation on display through good works by the power of the Spirit.
Our Future
”So that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
When God makes all things new, we will inherit eternal life and enjoy eternity with Him.
An Outline of our Salvation
What’s more, as Stott points out, these verses follow a clear logical progression that reveals our grave need for redemption and God’s tremendous wisdom, faithfulness, and ability to meet it. Following Paul’s line of reasoning, Stott organizes the thoughts of these verses into 6 sections:
1 . The Need for Salvation
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” (v3)
Paul describes the utter depravity of people, including all Christians before they came to know Christ. We were depraved, foolish, and deceived; we lived with malice, envy, and hatred towards others. What’s worse, we were enslaved to this state of being with no hope of escape on our own.
2 . The Source of Salvation
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared…” (v4)
Who can rescue us from our helpless state? Paul’s answer to this question, in brief, is “But God…” God, in His kindness, love, mercy, and grace, intervened on our behalf to save us from our sinful, deceived, and enslaved station. He alone can transform a person in this state into a new creation.
3 . The Grounds of Salvation
“…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…” (v5)
God didn’t save us because of anything we did to deserve it. He saved us according to His own mercy seen in the sending of His only Son as a substitute for the punishment of our sin, to deliver us from it.
4 . The Means of Salvation
“…by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirt, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace…” (v5-7)
This salvation of God comes through a complete transformation of our hearts. God doesn’t repair us, but makes us new. The words Paul gives for this are regeneration and renewal, which come by the power of the Holy Spirit. This act of regeneration is coupled with our justification — our being declared righteous through the death of Jesus. In our salvation, God both changes our status and gives us new life, all by His mercy.
5 . The Goal of Salvation
“so that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (v7)
All those God has justified and regenerated become His heirs along with Christ. What do we inherit? Paul states that we inherit eternal life and perfect fellowship with our God forever. In the present, we have only a foretaste of the eternal life He has given us and we cling to the hope that we will soon enjoy the fullness of life with Him forever.
6 . The Evidence of Salvation
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (v8)
Even though he has made it clear that no one is saved by good works (v5), Paul insists that believers devote themselves to good works as fruit of their genuine salvation. Good works in the life of a believer give evidence to his regeneration, commend the Gospel to others, and most importantly, honor his Savior who gave Himself for him.
Profound truth is found in this short passage. I treasure it because in only six verses, I am reminded of who I was before Christ and of the kindness, love, and grace of God to save me. It reveals to me the Father’s plan, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s work of regeneration that alone justifies me and transforms my heart. And it exhorts me toward the responsibility and privilege of serving God with good works, as I await the promise of eternal life with Him.