The Bible — World English Bible

Titus 3

In brief

Titus 3 closes Paul's letter to Titus, who stayed in Crete to put the churches in order. Paul asks Christians to behave well in society, with gentleness toward all, because they too were once lost. Then he recalls the Gospel: God made his kindness and love appear, and he saved us not because of our works but by his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. He then asks us to practice good works, to avoid foolish disputes and to stay clear of divisions. The chapter ends with greetings and practical instructions.

The chapter in 6 parts

  1. v. 1-2Living well in society: ready for every good work, gentle toward all
  2. v. 3What we once were
  3. v. 4-7The kindness of God: saved by mercy, renewed by the Spirit
  4. v. 8Good works, the fruit of grace
  5. v. 9-11Avoiding foolish disputes and divisions
  6. v. 12-15Practical instructions, greetings and grace

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

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

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

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

5not 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,

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

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

8This 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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key verses

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

Paul asks us to be gentle toward all people, and not only toward our friends. This word all makes gentleness a way of living in the midst of a world that does not share our faith.

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

Paul counts himself among those who were foolish and deceived: “we were also”. This reminder guards against pride and changes how we look at those who do not yet believe.

Verse 4-5
But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 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,

The turning point of the chapter: the kindness of God appears, and God saves not by works of righteousness we did ourselves, but according to his mercy. Salvation is presented as a gift.

Verse 5-6
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, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;

Salvation comes with a renewing by the Spirit, poured out richly. The washing of regeneration is understood in different ways: some see in it water baptism, others mainly the inner new birth.

Verse 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;

Those who have believed God are called to be careful to maintain good works. They do not save, but they are good and profitable to people, and they are born of the grace received.

Bible verses to meditate on

Characters in this chapter

Pray about this

What the sermons say

Grace Received Transforms How You LiveBill Cameron goes through the whole chapter: grace teaches us to behave well in society, recalls what we were, opens up wonder at God's love and invites us to add nothing to the Gospel. He distinguishes grace from mercy.Read the summary →An Authentic Glow (Titus 3)The message reads verses 1 to 8 as a call to an authentic witness: to be ready for every good work, gentle toward all, because the grace received is our source. The less we understand grace, the less we are able to give it.Read the summary →When God's Kindness Regenerates a Rebellious HeartEdouard Nelson shows that God's kindness, and not compulsion, changes the heart. He points out that you can be religious and rebellious, explains regeneration by the Spirit and invites us to avoid sterile controversies, online for example.Read the summary →Grace Saves You and Teaches You to Live DifferentlyMatt Glock reads Titus 2 and the end of the letter as a mirror that leads to grace. The behaviors asked for are the fruit of Christ's life in us, and not a checklist to earn salvation.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Titus 3

What does “the washing of regeneration” mean in Titus 3:5?

The expression speaks of a washing that gives new life, accompanied by renewing by the Spirit. Some Christians see in it water baptism, others the inner work of the new birth. Both agree on the essential point: it is God who acts, and not our efforts.

Does Titus 3 say that good works save us?

No. Verse 5 states that God saves not because of works of righteousness that we did ourselves, but by his mercy. Verse 8 nevertheless asks us to be careful to maintain good works: they are not the cause of salvation, they are its consequence, and they are useful to others.

Why does Paul ask us to be in subjection to authorities?

So that Christians will be recognized as good citizens, ready to do good and without a spirit of quarrel. It does not mean approving everything: other texts recall that we must obey God rather than people when the two conflict. The basic rule remains to seek the common good.

What is the main message of Titus 3?

That God's grace comes first and underlies the Christian life: we were lost, God saved us out of kindness, and this grace produces lives that are gentle, useful and united. It also leads us to avoid sterile arguments that divide.

Articles quoting Titus 3

← All chapters

World English Bible translation — public domain.