Titus 3:8, commentary and pictures

The saying to be affirmed constantly is that God's kindness and love appeared to save sinners, not because of righteous deeds they had done but by mercy through the washing of new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit poured out richly through Jesus Christ, so that being justified by grace they become heirs in hope of eternal life. That washing that restores favor with God is burial with Christ in water in the likeness of His death, showing that all who turn from breaking the law are cleansed by the Spirit, and baptism stands for true conversion by that renewing. Those who have believed in God are to be careful and diligent to keep up good works, and are to be urged to them continually, because such a life is good and profitable to others. Good works do not earn salvation, but faith that joins a person to Christ moves the heart to active loving service, so works are the fruit of faith working by love for the benefit of others. Keeping up good works means shining as lights amid a crooked generation by right use of speech to bless, by seeking to save the perishing through witness and godly deeds, and by growing step by step from faith to virtue and charity so life is not barren in knowing Christ.

Words and Context

The faithful saying to be affirmed constantly is that the kindness and love of God toward man appeared to save sinners not by works of righteousness which they have done but according to mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost shed abundantly through Jesus Christ the Saviour, so that being justified by grace they are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Those who have believed in God are therefore to be careful to maintain good works, and to be regularly urged to devote themselves to them, because these things are good and profitable and beneficial unto men. Good works in this setting are the response of those already saved, not the basis of salvation.

The washing of regeneration that brings a person again into favor with God is burial with Christ in water in the likeness of His death. It represents that all who repent of transgression of the law receive purification and cleansing through the work of the Holy Spirit, and baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. God justifies freely and not sparingly by grace through redemption in Christ, and in giving Christ gave all the treasures of heaven so that resources for the Christian life are without limit. Every provision has been made so believers will not falter or fail or be discouraged but will grow in grace and spiritual knowledge and press forward to the mark of the prize of the high calling.

The command to maintain good works stands opposed to foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law, which are to be avoided as unprofitable and vain. It belongs to the faithful minister's responsibility to affirm these things constantly by preaching the word, reproving, rebuking and exhorting, stopping the mouths of unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, and rebuking sharply that believers may be sound in the faith. This is set in contrast to those who profess to know God but in works deny Him by being disobedient and reprobate unto every good work. The third chapter belongs to teachers as their lesson book to be read and studied together at a set favorable time, studying the Word freely and comparing ideas to know how and what to teach. It is to be searched with preconceived opinions laid aside as the Bereans searched to see if these things are so, so that as doers of the Word they come into a higher, purer atmosphere and into clear light, free from seeking controversy and from bigotry, with faith which works by love and purifies the soul.

Faith Produces Good Works

The faithful saying to be constantly affirmed is that those who have believed in God must be careful to maintain good works, for these things are good and profitable to men. It describes the real Christian as zealous of good works, which requires conversion of heart so that the Spirit of Christ comes in and selfishness, envy and jealousy are put away. That change is shown in gentleness and meekness toward all men in remembrance of past foolishness and disobedience. It rests on salvation not by works of righteousness but by mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost shed abundantly through Jesus Christ, by whose grace believers are justified and made heirs of eternal life. It stands opposed to foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law, which are to be avoided as unprofitable and vain.

Good works do not earn salvation but are the response of those already saved, for God saved them through His mercy, renewed them by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, justified them by grace, and made them heirs of eternal life. Faith that joins and unites a person to Christ stirs the soul to active service and to active, loving service. Works are therefore the fruit of faith and not a substitute for salvation. Genuine faith works through love, and its labor benefits others and is good and beneficial to people, so believers should be regularly and continually urged to devote themselves to maintaining good works.

Trust in Christ's merits for salvation does not replace duty, because divine grace living in the heart leads to faithful conduct in the duties of life. Those who believe in God should therefore be careful to keep doing good works, because such works are good and benefit others.

Living Out Good Works

Those who have believed in God are to be careful and diligent to maintain good works, and are to be regularly and continually urged to devote themselves to them. These things are good and profitable and beneficial to men. This faithful charge is to be affirmed constantly, including by ministers as part of their work.

To maintain good works is to honor and glorify the Lord in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation by shining as lights in the world. It includes the right use of the gift of speech, for speech tells for good or for evil. Believers show forth His praises by the words they utter, speaking in a way that blesses others and manifests Christian tact and sanctified judgment, so that speech tells on the side of good and not evil.

Maintaining good works also means actively seeking to save souls perishing without Christ. This is done by preaching the gospel as a witness to all nations even though many will not receive it because lesser things hold their attention. It is done by letting light shine amid moral darkness and setting truth against error, so that people see good deeds and glorify God. It requires growing step by step in grace from faith to virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, so as not to be barren or unfruitful in knowing Christ.