Titus 3:1-7 Behavior Befitting To Grace

Verse 1

Subject to rulers

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Romans 13:1

Obedient

“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8

Ready for every good deed

“A*nd God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed*;” 2 Corinthians 9:8

Verse 2

Malign no one – Not slandering

Uncontentious – Non fighting, peaceable

Gentle

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5

Showing every consideration for all men

Verse 3

For – The reason or rationale

Remember the way we were -

Foolish

Disobedient

Deceived

Enslaved to various lusts and pleasures

Spending our life in malice and envy

Hateful

Hating one another

Verse 4

But – Strong contrast

The appearing speaks of Jesus Christ - who is the greatest revelation of God’s kindness and love for mankind.

“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

Verse 5

God does not save us because we do good works or behave righteously.

“…all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;” Isaiah 64:6

He saves us because of His mercy and love! That’s Grace! “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” Ephesians 2:4-5

By the Washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit… A metaphor for the Holy Spirit’s spiritual cleansing and regenerating work. The new birth.

Verse 6

Whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. The Holy Spirit’s work continues in our life. God’s grace always exceeds our need!

Verse 7

That being justified by His grace –

Justification – To be declared righteous. Salvation (justification) is totally of God! By grace! By the Father’s mercy and love. By the Son’s Substitutionary sacrifice. By the Holy Spirit’s regenerating and renewal and continual cleansing.

…we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Justification is totally by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.

As children of God we are heirs. However the abundance of our inheritance depends upon faithful service. Paul tells Titus,

“And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14