Chapter Three
Titus 3:1. Remind them to be submissive and obedient to rulers and authorities, to be ready for every good work,
Everywhere the apostle desires that believers "submit to authorities." And he shows in what manner to "submit," namely, if they "are ready for every good work." From this it is clear that whoever is ready for evil does not submit to the authorities. Or, let them "be ready to incline toward the good," and not toward impiety, or anything else harmful to the soul.
Titus 3:2. To speak evil of no one, to be not quarrelsome, but gentle,
Do not speak evil of anyone, even if someone acts badly — that is, do not reproach. Our mouths should be clean from reproach. Whether justly or falsely — it is not for us to judge. Consider what danger there may be.
Titus 3:2. And to show all meekness to all men.
To both Jews and Greeks, and to those who cause harm, and to the unjust.
Titus 3:3. For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, going astray, serving various lusts and pleasures,
In the Epistle to the Corinthians he frightens with the future, so that they would not condemn, saying: "let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). But here he admonishes with the past, saying: let us not reproach others, since we ourselves once sinned even more. What one robber said to the other robber: "we are condemned to the same thing" (Luke 23:40). But when were we foolish? Before Christ. Was it not senseless to serve such gods? And to offer people as sacrifices — was this not the greatest delusion? But we also served various passions and pleasures. Here he meant sodomy, marriage with one's mother or sister, and other shameless acts; for the devil amuses himself with us in various ways.
Titus 3:3. Lived in malice and envy, were hateful, hating one another.
Living in malice and envy, that is, always spending time in malice "and envy" and living such a life; therefore we were also worthy of hatred, since we hated one another. Rightly so: from envy comes hatred as well.
Titus 3:4. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
That is, when the Only-begotten became incarnate and became like us.
Titus 3:5. He saved us not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy,
He saved us not by works which we had done, in other words: we had not even done works worthy of justification, nor were we saved by them, but His grace accomplished everything.
Titus 3:5. The washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:6. Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Alas, we were so immersed in evil that we could no longer be cleansed, but had need of regeneration. For this is what regeneration and renewal mean — a second birth and a new formation. Just as we do not prop up a completely dilapidated house, but tear it down to its foundations and build it anew, so God did not merely repair us, but fully recreated us. In what manner? By the Holy Spirit. Lest you inquire in what manner, he says: the Spirit set everything right. How is this evident? "Whom He poured out," he says, "upon us abundantly." He not only recreated us through Him, but also generously bestowed Him upon us, so that this too might be manifest through Him. And rightly so. After He had cleansed us, He abundantly filled us with the Spirit as well. This is what "poured out" means. For what is clean does not enter into the unclean. And this was accomplished through Jesus: He is the mediator and bestower of all blessings.
Titus 3:7. so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Again — "by grace," and not by merit. This teaches humility of mind. For we ourselves did not accomplish anything. And it gives encouragement regarding the future. If He saved those who were utterly lost "by grace," how much more will He grant the future to those who have been justified. So that, he says, we might be heirs of eternal life, as we also hope for this. Or: we are already heirs, since we live by hope.
Titus 3:8. This word is faithful;
Since he spoke about the future, he adds confirmation to his word. For it is clear from the past: He who granted such blessings will grant these also.
Titus 3:8. I want you to affirm these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.
Having mentioned the ineffable goodness of God, he says: I want you to teach about this in such a way that the believers learn not only to be humble-minded and not to wrong others, but also to show them every kind of mercy. For whoever remembers the mercy of God that he was deemed worthy of will himself be merciful. "That they be careful to maintain," he says, that is, that they make it their constant occupation and continual concern to help those who are wronged: to provide for widows, orphans, and all those in need. For this is what the words mean: "to be careful to maintain good works" — not to wait for those in need to come to them, but to take care of them on their own initiative.
Titus 3:8. This is good and profitable for people.