That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. That ... - the purpose He aimed at in having "saved us" (Titus 3:5); namely, 'That having been once for all justified [aorist, dikaiothentes: accounted righteous through faith, the Spirit's work: sealed at our "regeneration;" followed by daily "renewing of the Holy Spirit"] by His grace (opposed to works, Titus 3:5), we should be (not merely saved from the curse of sin, Titus 3:3, but) made heirs.'
His grace, х te (G5037) ekeinou (G1565) chariti (G5485)] - 'the grace of the former;' i:e., God (Titus 3:4; Romans 5:15). The Father is the originating cause; Christ the meritorious cause; the Holy Spirit the efficient cause of our justification.
Heirs (Galatians 3:29) according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 1:2, also the Greek order х kleeronomoi (G2818) kat' (G2596) elpida (G1680) zooees (G2222) aioniou (G166)], confirms this; i:e., agreeably to the hope of eternal life: the eternal inheritance fully satisfying the hope. Galatians 3:29, "heirs according to the promise" х kat' (G2596) epangelian (G1860) kleeronomoi (G2818)], justifies this independent use of "heirs" against Ellicott, who explains, 'heirs of eternal life, in the way of hope' (Romans 8:24) - i:e., not yet in actual possession. Such a blessed hope, once not possessed, leads a Christian to practical holiness and meekness toward others: the lesson needed by the Cretians.