Titus 3:4-7 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But after that the kindness Χρηστοτης, the goodness, the benignity, και φιλανθρωπια, and philanthropy, love toward man, of God our Saviour, appeared Επεφανη, was manifested, or shone forth, namely, through the preaching of the gospel. The Father is here called God our Saviour, as is evident from Titus 3:6, where the same person is said to have poured out the Holy Ghost on believers, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Indeed, the title of our Saviour justly belongs to the Father, because he formed the scheme of our salvation, and sent his Son into the world to accomplish it; on which account the title of Saviour is given to the Son likewise. Not by works of righteousness which we have done The best of which were so defective and polluted by sin while we were in our unregenerate state, that, instead of meriting acceptance, they needed forgiveness. But according to his mercy His compassion for us in our state of sin and misery, and his free, unmerited love; he saved us From our state of ignorance and guilt, of depravity, weakness, and misery. Observe, reader, the apostle does not say, he will save us, but, he hath saved us, true believers in Christ being already enlightened, justified, and made new creatures, and therefore in a great measure saved. See on Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:9. By the washing of regeneration That is, by regeneration itself, the thing signified, and not merely by baptismal water, the outward and visible sign; which regeneration cleanses the soul from the filth of sin, (as water washes the body,) implying the renewing influences of the Holy Ghost: see on Ezekiel 36:25; Ezekiel 36:27; Ephesians 5:26-27. Which he shed on us abundantly Πλουσιως, richly, through our believing with our heart unto righteousness, on Jesus Christ our Saviour In virtue of whose sacrifice and intercession it has been imparted to us, sinful and guilty children of men. That being justified Acquitted from the guilt of sin, and accounted righteous; by his grace His mere mercy, his unmerited favour, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ; see on Romans 3:24-28; we should be made heirs All who are justified being adopted into God's family, born of God's Spirit, and made his children, and therefore his heirs, Romans 8:17; according Agreeably; to the hope of eternal life With which we are inspired, and for which his promises, in and through Christ Jesus, made to all such, lay a firm foundation, 2 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:2.