‘For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ‘

Titus 3:3-5

Introduction

In Titus 3:3-5, the apostle Paul illustrates a stark contrast between the former (before a believer believed the gospel) condition of believers and the transformation brought about by the power of the gospel. These passages emphasize that salvation comes solely by grace through faith in the gospel alone and not by any human work.

1. The Past State: Slaves of Sin (Verse 3):

In verse 3, Paul describes the believers’ condition before their encounter with the gospel: “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the fallen state of humanity. It illustrates that believers were once slaves of sin in the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13), displaying disobedience, foolishness, and animosity toward others. This fallen, Adamic nature is universal (Romans 3:23) and true for every believer.

2. The Message of Grace: “The Cross” (Verse 4):

The transition to verse 4 is a powerful shift in the narrative: “But when the kindness and the love of God, our Savior, toward man appeared,”

Here, the Apostle Paul is referring to the finished work of the cross and introducing the pivotal moment of salvation. He speaks of the kindness and love of God, which is a reference to God’s mercy and grace. It emphasizes that God initiated salvation not based on human merit but because of His great mercy and love (Ephesians 2:4).

3. Salvation by Grace through Faith Alone (Verse 5):

Verse 5 further expounds on God’s redemptive act: “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

This verse clearly underscores the core principle that salvation is by grace through faith alone in the gospel. Paul disqualifies any notion that salvation can be achieved through human deeds or “works of righteousness.” Instead, he emphasizes God’s mercy and grace as the sole basis for salvation.

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit (Verse 5, Continued):

The verse proceeds to explain that believers are saved through “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

This refers to the spiritual transformation that takes place at the moment a lost person believes the gospel. It’s not a result of human effort but a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that cleanses and renews the believer (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Conclusion:

Titus 3:3-5, within the context of Paul’s message to grace-age believers, beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith. These passages affirm the fallen state of all believers before salvation and emphasize God’s love, mercy, and grace as the source of salvation. These Bible verses highlight the fundamental doctrine that salvation is by faith alone, not by human works.

Paul’s message underscores that salvation is a free gift, received by grace (unmerited favor) through faith in the finished work of the cross, and we are sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13).

This passage serves as a reminder that, by the grace of God, we too (believers) would still be slaves to sin in Satan’s slave market. Furthermore, Titus 3:3-5 emphatically states that salvation is a gift of God, and our works can never merit salvation. Rather, it is God’s great mercy, grace, and love, demonstrated through Christ’s atoning work, that justifies believers and secures their eternal hope.