⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:4-5

Titus was to remind the believers of the importance of living out their faith both in terms of how they relate to the surrounding authorities and those among whom they live (3:1-2), but he was to do so in light of having them recall their own ignorance and unbelief (3:3). Believers can have compassion on the unbelievers that they interact with because they understand that God has graciously saved them through the work of Christ which has been accomplished in them by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

Because of the fall of man, all are characterized by foolishness and enslavement to sin. God, however, has demonstrated His goodness and love for mankind (lovingkindness) through the coming of Christ. Paul once again employs the term “appeared” (used in 2:11,13) to show that in Christ, truths about God have been more completely disclosed. Believers are to reflect upon the coming of Christ and specifically on His work (death, burial, & resurrection) which is the means by which He saved us. Christians must recall that they were lost and without hope in the world until God accomplished all that was necessary for them through Christ.

Paul then emphasizes the helpless state of believers before they were saved by describing the way in which they were saved. Because they were once characterized by foolishness and disobedience, there was a temptation to think that turning from these kinds of actions and living righteously might be the way in which God accomplished their salvation. He emphatically denies this, however, stating that it was not by deeds done in righteousness that God saved them. This would be impossible because even a person’s righteous deeds would be defiled by sin. It is therefore based on His mercy that He saves the defiled and unbelieving. He takes pity upon the lost, saving them by grace through faith alone, not by their works.

Paul then goes on to explain that it is the work of His Spirit in us that accomplishes the necessary work of applying to believers the work of Christ. The term ‘washing’ recalls the imagery of Jesus’ priestly work of removing the defilement of His people, referenced previously in 2:14. Although this washing is reminiscent of those in the OT, it is categorically unique. Those who were defiled by sin needed more than a temporary cleansing, they needed to be made new. Paul uses two key words to describe this vital work that the Spirit accomplishes in believers. The first of these is paliggenesia, translated as “regeneration.” This term carries the idea of re-birth, referring to the work that God accomplishes in the sinner who believes on the Gospel. The second term is anakainōsis, translated as “renewal.” This term carries the idea of being made new (being a ‘new creation’). Through the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, the foolish and disobedient are made new, purified from the defilement of sin and set apart by God for good works.

It is through those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit that God works in the world. Nothing less than complete renewal will do. The obedience of His people must be empowered by the same Spirit who applies Christ’s work to them and regenerates them. The spiritual renewal that we experience in this life allows us to anticipate the complete renewal that will take place upon Christ’s return for us. It is then that we will be completely fit for His service both during His Kingdom reign on earth and throughout all eternity in the New Creation!

Join us this Sunday as we gather to worship the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to Him for the work that He has accomplished in us by the power of His Spirit!

Soli Deo Gloria.

-Thomas