A New Birth and A New Life

Titus 3:1-8 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Introduction

It is almost a shame that the chapter break between chapter 2 and 3 didn’t take place until after verse eight (8) as these verses are a continuance of verse fifteen of chapter two.

To Every Good Work

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

“Put them in mind…” in the Greek means to “keep reminding them.” It refers to the previous chapter where Paul is commanding Titus to “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Therefore, Titus is to put those that would despise his leadership and message to “pull them back into the fold,” so to speak. He was to remind them of the cross and for them to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

However, these same words are used of those who are “zealous of good works.” Therefore, Titus is to “keep on reminding” those that would hear him, whether zealous or despisers to the following.

“…to be subject to principalities and powers…”

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, describes “principalities and powers” as those that would be opposed to Christ and the church. They can be heavenly or earthly. For example, in his epistle to the church at Ephesus he writes:

Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“…to obey magistrates…”

I will not mince words here. The Christian duty is not to change the government, but to obey the government. Paul told Titus to remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities. I know this will rile some of you. However, let me continue to remind you, Christians are left on this earth to do the work of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“…to be ready to every good work…”

Christians are “to be ready to do every good work!” When Jesus taught his disciples plus those that would have been just interested bystanders on the mount, He commanded them to be, “the salt of the earth”…and “the light of the world,” it was so “…that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

From Civil Authorities to Their Sphere of Influence

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

The Apostle shifts from civil authorities to those that surround the Christian. Neighbors, co-workers, and those we encounter each week. Look at the contrast from the beginning of this verse to the end, “speak evil of no man” to “shewing all meekness unto all men.”

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”

The Apostle Paul makes it personal. He admits to Titus that we are all guilty of being:

Foolish at times – lacking intelligence, one who does not govern his lusts. Disobedient – carries the idea of being unwilling to be persuaded, unbelieving (Luke 1:17; Acts 26:19; Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:16; 3:3). Deceived – to wander, to be led astray Serving divers lusts and pleasures – the term is used in sickness, sickness of the soul Living in Malice – wickedness becomes a habit Envy – Jealousy Hateful – to continuously practice hate Hating one another – applying an active will or desire to hate, to persecute

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”

Wrap up all the actions of verse three and you arrive at why the plan of salvation was created. The Grace of the Lord will be manifested in the flesh as Emmanuel.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Salvation is by and through Grace. There is nothing that the man of verse two could do to please a Holy God.

“…by the washing of regeneration…”

Salvation brings a change. “We are redeemed from all iniquity and purified unto Himself. We are a peculiar people that are zealous of good works” (Ti 2:14)

What is God’s method of changing our lives? - To be forgiven is one thing, but how can our lives be changed? This is the crux of the question Paul is seeking to answer in these verses. How can we be saved not just from the guilt and consequences of sin, but from the power of sin over us? Here is what Paul explains to us: ‘He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour’ (3:5–6). His method of changing us is the gift of his Holy Spirit. By his Spirit he begins a work of renovation in us reaching to the very roots of our personalities. Paul uses three phrases for the Spirit’s activity.[1]

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour’ (Titus 3:5–6).

“Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”

The Holy Spirit has been poured out on believers generously because of the work of Jesus Christ our Savior.

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Justified – “Just As If I’d Never Sinned.” Through the work of Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection,’ redeemed man stands before a Holy God because Jesus Christ “justified” them.

Therefore, the result of Salvation is Justification. Because we stand “sinless” before God, we become heirs of eternal life.

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

Conclusion

The conclusion of this treatise is simple. We can count on these truths.

They which have believed in God must be careful to maintain good works.

Good works are useful and helpful unto men.

[1] John Benton, Straightening Out the Self-Centered Church: The Message of Titus, Welwyn Commentary Series (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 1997), 157