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Titus 3: Saved to Do Good

Paul recalls the mercy that saved us through the Holy Spirit and urges believers to maintain good works while avoiding pointless quarrels.

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Titus 3 (WEB)

1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.

3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;

7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;

9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10 Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;

11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.

13 Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.

14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Summary

Paul turns to how believers should live in the wider world. They are to submit to rulers and authorities, be ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, and show gentleness and humility toward all people. To keep this from sounding superior, Paul reminds Titus that we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and enslaved to various passions, living in malice and envy. But then the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, and he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ. The result is that, justified by his grace, we become heirs of the hope of eternal life. Because this saying is trustworthy, Paul wants Titus to insist on it confidently, so that those who have believed will devote themselves to good works that are good and profitable for everyone. At the same time he is to avoid foolish controversies and quarrels about the law, which are useless, and to warn a divisive person twice and then have nothing more to do with him. Paul closes with personal instructions—about Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas, and Apollos, and his plan to winter in Nicopolis—urges that God's people learn to devote themselves to good works, and sends greetings with a final blessing of grace.

Key Figures

  • Paul — The apostle who recalls God's saving mercy, presses Titus to insist on good works, warns against divisive quarrels, and gives final personal instructions.
  • God our Savior / the Holy Spirit — The God whose kindness appeared to save us by mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Spirit poured out richly through Jesus Christ.
  • The believers on Crete — Those once foolish and enslaved to passion, now justified by grace and called to be ready for every good work and gentle toward all.
  • Paul's coworkers — Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, named in Paul's travel plans as the gospel mission continues beyond the letter.

Key Verse

Titus 3:5 (WEB)

not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Lessons Learned

  • Remembering what we once were keeps us humble and gentle toward others.
  • Salvation is the work of God's mercy, not the reward of our own righteousness.
  • The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all at work in saving and renewing us.
  • Those who have believed God should devote themselves to good and profitable works.
  • Divisive quarrels are unprofitable; the church's energy belongs to truth and good works.
  • Grace makes us gentle. Remembering that “we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived” (Titus 3:3, WEB), we are to “speak evil of no one… showing all humility toward all men” (3:2). Mercy received produces mercy shown.
  • Salvation is by mercy, not merit. He saved us “not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy” (Titus 3:5, WEB). Our rescue is sheer grace from start to finish.
  • The Spirit renews us. God saved us “through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly” (Titus 3:5-6, WEB). New life is the Spirit's gift, not our achievement.
  • Grace produces good works. Paul wants believers to “be careful to maintain good works” that are “good and profitable to men” (Titus 3:8, WEB). The freely justified are freed to serve.
  • Avoid pointless strife. We are to “shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes” as “unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9, WEB). The church's calling is fruitfulness, not endless arguing.
  1. How are believers to behave toward authorities and toward all people, according to verses 1-2?
  2. Why does Paul remind us in verse 3 of what we used to be, and how does that shape the way we treat others?
  3. Verses 4-7 describe our salvation in rich detail. What does Paul say God did, and what did we contribute to it?
  4. Paul repeatedly urges believers to “maintain good works” (3:8, 14). How do good works relate to a salvation that is “not by works of righteousness” (3:5)?
  5. Where is God calling you to be “ready for every good work” (3:1), and is there a quarrel or controversy you need to let go of to be more fruitful?
  1. Believers are to submit to rulers, be ready for every good work, slander no one, avoid contention, and show gentleness and “all humility toward all men” (3:1-2). Paul describes a community marked by good citizenship and a gracious, peaceable spirit toward everyone.
  2. Paul recalls that we too were once foolish, disobedient, and enslaved to passions (3:3) so that we will not look down on anyone. Remembering our own rescue dismantles pride and makes us patient and kind toward those still far off. Discuss how forgetting our past breeds harshness.
  3. Paul says God saved us by his kindness and mercy through the washing of regeneration and the Spirit poured out through Jesus Christ, so that we are justified by grace and made heirs of eternal life (3:4-7). We contributed nothing but our need; salvation is entirely God's gift.
  4. Good works are the fruit of salvation, never its root (3:5, 8). Because we are freely justified, we are freed to serve others in ways that are “good and profitable.” Help the group hold both truths: we are not saved by works, yet we are saved for them.
  5. This is a personal-application question with no single answer. Invite members to name one concrete good work to take up, and one unprofitable quarrel to lay down (3:9). As leader, keep the focus on grace as the motive, closing with thanks for the mercy that saved us when we could not save ourselves.

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), the King James Version (KJV), and the American Standard Version (ASV), all of which are in the public domain.