Titus 3:1 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

Further Instruction on Christian Conduct.

(a) Titus 3:1 f. Behaviour to those Outside. In his relation with unbelievers the Christian must show (i) towards those in authority, obedience (1 Timothy 2:1-7 *); (ii) towards his neighbours generally, right-living and forbearance; (iii) towards all alike, meekness.

(b) Titus 3:3-8 a. Its Doctrinal Basis. Any other spirit than that of meekness is ruled out (i) by the character of the believer's own pre-Christian life (Romans 1:28 ff., cf. 1 Timothy 1:12 ff.), (ii) by the fact that his own salvation was of God's grace (see on Titus 2:11-15). A difficulty follows. We have (i) a characteristically Pauline statement of evangelical doctrine (men are justified not by works, but by grace); (ii) an allusion to baptism which, to many, appears un-Pauline. If Titus 3:5 b implies that the rite of itself effects the cleansing from sin, it is certainly different from Paul's usual doctrine of baptism that of the believer's mystical union with Christ's death. The teaching, however, is not that the regeneration is through the physical washing a view which would require the sentence to be rewritten but that God uses baptism as the act with which He associates cleansing from sin. This sacramental doctrine is apostolic (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 3:21), and must not be confused with the very different theory that the act itself possesses a quasi-magical power. The latter view would place baptism among those very works by which, the context affirms, we are not saved.

Titus 3:3. cf. Introduction, § 2.

Titus 3:8 a. The saying covers Titus 3:4-6; 1 Timothy 1:15 *.

Titus 3:1-8

1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

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

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

4 But after that the kindness and lovea of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 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;

6 Which he shed on us abundantlyb through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

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

8 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.