he saved us, not because of the works of justice that we had done, but according to his mercy; through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
3:5 — “saved us”. God actually began to save lost man (past and future) when his goodness sent his Only Begotten Son to die for us. He had promised this salvation from ancient times (Gen 3:15), but now it became a reality. — “not because of works of righteousness that we have done.” Good is the translation that says, “not by virtue of works that we had done in righteousness” (BA). The Greek text says: “in justice”, not “of justice”. Man is not found save by virtue of works he has done in the realm of justice. No saved man is legally so. This verse agrees with what Paul says in Eph 2:8-9, “you are saved… not by works.” Salvation (spiritual life) according to the law of Moses depended on perfection of works on the part of man (Romans 10:5), but none under the law kept it perfectly well (Gal 3:10; Gal 3:12; Gal 5:3). Simply sinful man cannot save himself. But the “works” of this phrase that we are commenting on are not to be confused with the conditions of the gospel that have to be obeyed. There is something to do to be saved. Notice the word “make” in the cases of conversion in Acts (2:37,38; 9:6; 16:30,31; 22:10,16). see also Hebrews 5:8-9; Romans 1:5 Y 16:26. Faith has to obey in order to save (Jas 2:24). When the sinner believes in Jesus Christ, he repents of his sins, confesses his faith in Christ, and is baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, he is not doing works of righteousness! He is obeying the gospel, and he has nothing to boast about! — “But by his mercy.” See the see. 4last comment, and 2:11, comment on “grace”. If salvation were merited by the perfection of works on the part of man, it would be a matter of debt on the part of God (Romans 4:4). But all have sinnedRomans 3:23). Salvation cannot be by perfect works that we have done. It has to be by the mercy (grace, love, kindness) of God. That is why it is a gift, or gift (Eph 2:8). — “by the washing of regeneration.” God uses the bath that brings regeneration. He commanded baptism into Christ (Tue 16:16; Joh 3:3; Joh 3:5; Ac 2:38; Ac 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1Co 12:13; Gal 3:26-27; Eph 5:26; Col 2:12; Hebrews 10:22; 1Pe 3:21; Rev 1:5). The Greek word, here translated “washing,” occurs once more, in Eph 5:26. The church of Christ is the group of people who have been purified in the washing of the water of baptism, according to the Word teaches us. Other than baptism into Christ, there is no other “water” that has to do with “washing.” This washing is called “regeneration” because when a person is baptized into Christ, he is born again. He becomes a “new creature” who now walks in newness of life (Joh 3:3; Joh 3:5; 2Co 5:10; Romans 6:4). The Greek word for “regeneration” is found only here, and in Matt 19:28. We are already in the time of regeneration, because now is when men through the gospel can become regenerated (made alive again). It follows, then, that the apostles are now judging on their twelve thrones. (They judge us by their scriptures, Ac 2:42). Jesus made baptism part of righteousness (Matt 3:14-15). — “and by renewal of the Holy Spirit.” It should read, “of the Holy Spirit.” So say the Greek text and the ASV versions.; THE; mod; HE HAS; PB; NIV.; NC; etc. There is nothing in this sentence that points to baptism, or anything else, in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit renews; it does so through the message it inspired. It is by His instruction that we are baptized into one body, the church of Christ (1Co 12:13). This renewal is his. It is done by him. The Greek word for “renewal” appears only here and in Romans 12:2. The mind is renewed when the person submits to the inspired teaching. Instructed by the New Testament, the believer obeys the gospel, and thus becomes a new creature (Romans 6:4; 2Co 5:17). The process of renewal continues its march during the life of the Christian (Col 3:10; 2Co 4:16). This passage does not teach the doctrine called “baptismal regeneration” of Catholicism and Lutheranism. Baptism is not a “sacrament” with merits in itself. Baptism alone does not save (as neither does faith alone, or repentance alone, etc.). But neither does the New Testament teach the doctrine of many so-called “evangelical” churches that baptism is not essential to salvation. (See again the passages given above in the first comment on “the washing of regeneration”). Nor is baptism a mere “outward token of inward grace,” as Baptists and others call it. In baptism the blood of Christ is appropriated, for only in baptism are we “buried with him unto death” (Romans 6:4; Col 2:12). Literal water does not wash away sins, but neither does literal blood! Baptism saves (1Pe 3:21) when the baptized is buried together with Christ in his death. It is Christ’s death on the cross that makes it possible for God to save (forgive) us (Eph 1:7). It is interesting to note how copious is the sectarian commentary on this verse. Either they teach that baptism is merely a picture or symbol of salvation (but not essential to salvation, since it is by faith alone, they say), or that the passage teaches “baptismal regeneration.” Almost all deny that baptism is immersion. They have to use a lot of “explanation” and circumvention to avoid the obvious force of this passage, and to not have their own unbiblical practices and beliefs exposed.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
not for works of justice. Job 9:20; Job 15:14; Job 25:4; Ps 143:2; Isaiah 57:12; Luke 10:27-29; Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28; Romans 4:5; Romans 9:11, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:30; Romans 11:6; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:16-21; Eph 2:4, Eph 2:8, Eph 2:9; 2Ti 1:9.
but by his mercy. Tit 3:4; Ps 62:12; Ps 86:5, Ps 86:15; Ps 130:7; Mic 7:18; Luke 1:50, Luke 1:54, Luke 1:72, Luke 1:78; Eph 1:6, Eph 1:7; Hebrews 4:16; 1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 2:10.
by the washing of regeneration. Joh 3:3-5; 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26; 1Pe 3:21.
and by renewal in the Holy Spirit. Ps 51:10; Romans 12:2; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Hebrews 6:6.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
not for works of justice: Because Paul has exhorted Titus to emphasize good works in his ministry to the Cretans, he wants to make it clear that works do not save a person. Instead, just based on the mercy of God is that we are freed from the guilt of our sin.
regeneration washing: This phrase refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, who can make a person new by the purification of regeneration (the new birth). This new nature is the foundation for living the Christian life and performing good deeds.
renewal in the Holy Spirit: The ongoing process of Christian living is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, resulting in character growth and good works.
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
THE WASHING OF REGENERATION. This refers to the new birth of believers, symbolically illustrated in Christian baptism (see ARTICLE REGENERATION, P. 1455. ). “The renewing of the Holy Spirit” indicates the constant communication of divine life to believers as they surrender their lives to God (cf. Romans 12:2).
Source: Full Life Study Bible
not for works. Salvation has never been by works (see Eph 2:8-9; zip Romans 3:19-28). by his mercy. cop. Eph 2:4; 1Ti 1:13; 1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 2:10. regeneration washing. See notes on Eze 36:25-31; Eph 5:26-27; Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. Salvation brings believers divine cleansing from sin and the gift of new life, generated by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, and protected by the Spirit, as God’s own children and heirs (v. Tit 3:7). This is the new birth (cf. Joh 3:5; 1Jn 2:29; 1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 4:7; 1 John 5:1). renewal in the Holy Spirit. cop. Romans 8:2. He is the agent of “regeneration.”
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
3:5 — “saved us.” God actually began to save lost man (past and future) when his goodness sent his Only Begotten Son to die for us. He had promised this salvation since ancient times (Gen 3:15), but now it has become a reality.
–“not because of works of justice that we have done”. Good is the translation that says, “not by virtue of works that we had done in righteousness” (BA). The Greek text says: “in justice”, not “of justice”. Man is not found save by virtue of works he has done in the realm of justice. No saved man is legally so. This verse agrees with what Paul says in Eph 2:8-9, “you are saved…not by works”. Salvation (spiritual life) according to the law of Moses depended on perfection of works on the part of man (Rom 10:5), but none under the law kept it perfectly well (Gal 3:10; Gal 3:12; Gal 5: 3). Simply sinful man cannot save himself.
But the “works” of this phrase that we are commenting on are not to be confused with the conditions of the gospel that have to be obeyed. There is something to do to be saved. Note the word “do” in the cases of conversion in Acts (2:37,38; 9:6; 16:30,31; 22:10,16). See also Heb 5:8-9; Rom 1:5 and 16:26. Faith has to obey in order to save (Jas 2:24). When the sinner believes in Jesus Christ, he repents of his sins, confesses his faith in Christ, and is baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, he is not doing works of righteousness! He is obeying the gospel, and he has nothing to boast about!
– “but by his mercy”. See the see. 4, last comment, and 2:11, comment on “grace”.
If salvation were merited by the perfection of works on the part of man, it would be a matter of debt on the part of God (Rom 4:4). But all have sinned (Rom 3:23). Salvation cannot be by perfect works that we have done. It has to be by the mercy (grace, love, kindness) of God. That is why it is a gift, or gift (Eph 2:8).
–“by the washing of regeneration”. God uses the bath that brings regeneration. He commanded baptism into Christ (Mar 16:16; Joh 3:3; Joh 3:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Rom 6:3-4; 1Co 12:13; Gal 3:26-27; Eph 5:26; Col 2:12; Heb 10:22; 1Pe 3:21; Rev 1:5).
The Greek word, here translated “washing,” appears once again, in Eph 5:26. The church of Christ is the group of people who have been purified in the washing of the water of baptism, according to the Word teaches us. Other than baptism into Christ, there is no other “water” that has to do with “washing.”
This washing is called “regeneration” because when a person is baptized into Christ, they are born again. He becomes a “new creature” who now walks in newness of life (Joh 3:3; Joh 3:5; 2Co 5:10; Rom 6:4). The word…