Titus 3:4
Verse
Context
Heirs of Grace
3For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Sermons
David Wilkerson
G.W. North
F.B. Meyer
J.C. Ryle
St. John ChrysostomSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But after that the kindness and love of God - By χρηστοτης we may understand the essential goodness of the Divine nature; that which is the spring whence all kindness, mercy, and beneficence proceed. Love toward man - Φιλανθρωπια· Philanthropy. It is to be regretted that this attribute of the Divine nature, as it stands in relation to man, should have been entirely lost by a paraphrastical translation. Philanthropy is a character which God gives here to himself; while human nature exists, this must be a character of the Divine nature. God loves man; he delighted in the idea when formed in his own infinite mind, he formed man according to that idea, and rejoiced in the work of his hands; when man fell, the same love induced him to devise his redemption, and God the Savior flows from God the Philanthropist. Where love is it will be active, and will show itself. So the philanthropy of God appeared, επεφανη, it shone out, in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and in his giving his life for the life of the world.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
To show how little reason the Cretan Christians had to be proud of themselves, and despise others not Christians (see on Tit 3:2-3). It is to the "kindness and love of God," not to their own merits, that they owe salvation. kindness--Greek, "goodness," "benignity," which manifests His grace. love . . . toward man--teaching us to have such "love (benevolence) toward man" (Greek, "philanthropy"), "showing all meekness unto all men" (Tit 3:2), even as God had "toward man" (Tit 2:11); opposed to the "hateful and hating" characteristics of unrenewed men, whose wretchedness moved God's benevolent kindness. of God our Saviour--Greek, "of our Saviour God," namely, the Father (Tit 1:3), who "saved us" (Tit 3:5) "through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Tit 3:6). appeared--Greek, "was made to appear"; was manifested.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But after that,.... After all this series and course of wickedness; notwithstanding all this foolishness, disobedience, deception, bondage to sin, envy, malice, and malignity; or "when" all this was, as the word may be rendered, amidst all this iniquity; when these persons were in the full career of sin, and so had done no preparatory works, or had any previous qualifications and dispositions for the grace of God: the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared; unto them; and the Ethiopic version adds, "unto us". The apostle takes the advantage of the above character of himself, and others in their former state, to set off and magnify the grace of God in their conversion; so contraries, as black and white, illustrate each other. By "God our Saviour" is not meant the Lord Jesus Christ, though he is commonly designed by our Saviour, and is several times called God our Saviour in this epistle; see Tit 1:3 and who is truly God, and the only Saviour of lost sinners; and whose kindness and love towards them has appeared in many instances; as in his suretiship undertakings for them, in his assumption of their nature, and in his suffering and dying in their room and stead: and yet it appears from Tit 3:6 that God our Saviour here, is distinguished from Jesus Christ our Saviour there; and therefore here must be understood of God the Father; who contrived the scheme of salvation, appointed Christ to be his salvation, and made a covenant with him, in which it secured, and sent him in time to obtain it, and through his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, saves all his people: it is his kindness and love to men that is here spoken of; and which designs not his general and providential goodness and kindness, which extends to the whole human nature, and to all the individuals of it; but his special love and grace shown in his kindness in Christ Jesus; that good will to men the angels sung of at Christ's incarnation; or that free favour and love of God towards elect men, which is sovereign and special, from everlasting to everlasting, unchangeable and unspeakable, which is better than life; the excellency of which cannot be expressed, and which has shown itself in various instances: it is said to have "appeared"; because it was hid from all eternity in the heart of God, in the thoughts of his heart, in his purposes, counsel, and covenant, and has been made manifest in time; particularly, it has broke forth and showed itself in the mission of Christ into this world, and in redemption and salvation by him; wherein God has manifested and commended his love, and shown forth the exceeding riches of his grace; and also in the effectual calling, which being a time of life, is a time of love, and is owing to the great love of God, and is a fruit and evidence of his everlasting and unchangeable love; and it is this instance and appearance of it, which is here meant, since it follows the account of the state and condition of the saints by nature; and is what was made to them when in this state, by which means they were brought out of it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:4-7 This passage might be a summary or quote from traditional teaching (see 1 Tim 1:15; 2:5-6). 3:4 We should behave toward our compatriots as God acted toward us—in kindness and love. God’s salvation makes this possible. • revealed (literally appeared): The Greek word relates to the coming of Christ (also in 2:11, 13; see study note on 1 Tim 6:14).
Titus 3:4
Heirs of Grace
3For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
You Can Come Back to His Love
By David Wilkerson3.9K09:55JER 31:3TIT 3:4
This sermon emphasizes the profound love of God for His children, highlighting the struggle many believers face in truly accepting and believing in this love. It addresses the burden of past sins, the need for assurance of God's love, and the transformative power of understanding and walking in God's love. The message encourages repentance, restoration, and the joy that comes from knowing God's unconditional love and mercy.
(Titus - Part 24): Sinful Man, the Object of God's Love
By A.W. Tozer3.8K35:01TitusTIT 3:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance and the rescue and deliverance that comes through it. He cautions against painting overly elaborate scenes of heaven, as our human minds cannot fully comprehend it. The speaker then uses the analogy of a poor boy being adopted by a wealthy man to illustrate the transformation that occurs through salvation. He concludes by highlighting the need to acknowledge our own brokenness and humility in order to fully experience the grace and inheritance offered through Jesus Christ.
Newness
By G.W. North1201:16:08Christian Life2CO 5:17TIT 3:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the experience of being born again is just the beginning of a lifelong process of renewal. Many people make the mistake of relying solely on their initial conversion experience and fail to seek daily renewal from God. The speaker highlights the power of Satan and reminds listeners that God has not forgotten what the devil did in Eden. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the importance of ministering to God and waiting on Him in order to hear His voice and fulfill His calling.
Our Daily Homily - Titus
By F.B. Meyer0Faith and KnowledgeGrace and GodlinessJHN 8:36ROM 12:21CO 10:31EPH 2:8PHP 4:13COL 3:2TIT 1:1TIT 2:14TIT 3:42PE 1:5F.B. Meyer emphasizes the dual guiding principles of faith and knowledge in the life of a believer, arguing that they are not in opposition but rather complementary. He explains that true faith is universal among the elect, while knowledge should lead to godliness and a deeper understanding of God's ways. Meyer highlights the significance of Christ's sacrifice, which not only offers forgiveness but also empowers believers to overcome sin and live righteously. He encourages the faithful to recognize God's kindness and love, which have been fully revealed in Jesus, and to live in a manner that reflects this grace. Ultimately, Meyer calls for a tangible expression of faith that impacts both personal and communal life.
John 3:16
By J.C. Ryle0God's LoveUniversal SalvationEZK 33:11JHN 1:10JHN 3:16JHN 6:32JHN 8:12ROM 3:191TI 2:4TIT 3:42PE 3:91JN 2:2J.C. Ryle emphasizes the profound truth of John 3:16, illustrating that God's love extends to all humanity, not just the Jewish nation, and that the gift of His only begotten Son is a universal offer of salvation. He challenges the notion that God's love is limited to the elect, arguing instead that it encompasses every person, regardless of their background, and is rooted in compassion rather than mere approval. Ryle highlights the significance of the word 'so' in the verse, indicating the depth and magnitude of God's love for a fallen world. He asserts that this love is not only real but essential for understanding God's character and His desire for all to come to repentance and faith. Ultimately, Ryle's message is a call to recognize the inclusive nature of God's love and the invitation to eternal life through belief in Christ.
Of the Personal Relations; Or, Relative Properties Which Distinguish the Three Divine Persons in the Deity.
By John Gill0Divine RelationsTrinityPSA 2:7MAT 28:19JHN 1:14JHN 1:18GAL 1:1EPH 1:3TIT 3:4HEB 1:3John Gill expounds on the distinct personal relations within the Trinity, emphasizing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct Persons, each with unique properties that define their relationships. He argues against modalism and asserts that the distinctions are not merely nominal or based on their works but are rooted in their eternal nature. The Father is characterized by begetting, the Son by being begotten, and the Spirit by proceeding from the other two, establishing a necessary and eternal relationship among them. Gill highlights that these distinctions are essential for understanding the nature of God and the doctrine of the Trinity, which is foundational to Christian faith.
Titus 2:11-14
By St. John Chrysostom0JHN 15:221CO 6:9TIT 2:11TIT 3:4John Chrysostom preaches about the transformative power of God's grace, emphasizing the need to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live a life of sobriety, righteousness, and godliness while eagerly awaiting the glorious return of Jesus Christ. He highlights the importance of being zealous for good works, as a response to the grace we have received through Christ's sacrifice. Chrysostom urges believers to live in a manner that reflects the kindness and love of God, being justified by His grace and looking forward to the hope of eternal life.
The Christian Sacraments
By Olin Alfred Curtis0MAT 28:19MRK 14:22JHN 6:53ACT 2:38ROM 6:31CO 6:111CO 10:161CO 11:231CO 12:13TIT 3:4Olin Alfred Curtis delves into the significance of Christian sacraments, emphasizing their personal intention, symbol of grace, and means of grace. Each sacrament serves as a token of personal Christian intention, symbolizing events in grace such as regeneration and redemptional union with Christ, and acting as a means to open up one's inner life to the Spirit of God for Christian growth. The discussion also touches on the number of sacraments, the formula of Christian baptism, the mode of baptism, and the mystical experience of communion in the Lord's Supper.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But after that the kindness and love of God - By χρηστοτης we may understand the essential goodness of the Divine nature; that which is the spring whence all kindness, mercy, and beneficence proceed. Love toward man - Φιλανθρωπια· Philanthropy. It is to be regretted that this attribute of the Divine nature, as it stands in relation to man, should have been entirely lost by a paraphrastical translation. Philanthropy is a character which God gives here to himself; while human nature exists, this must be a character of the Divine nature. God loves man; he delighted in the idea when formed in his own infinite mind, he formed man according to that idea, and rejoiced in the work of his hands; when man fell, the same love induced him to devise his redemption, and God the Savior flows from God the Philanthropist. Where love is it will be active, and will show itself. So the philanthropy of God appeared, επεφανη, it shone out, in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and in his giving his life for the life of the world.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
To show how little reason the Cretan Christians had to be proud of themselves, and despise others not Christians (see on Tit 3:2-3). It is to the "kindness and love of God," not to their own merits, that they owe salvation. kindness--Greek, "goodness," "benignity," which manifests His grace. love . . . toward man--teaching us to have such "love (benevolence) toward man" (Greek, "philanthropy"), "showing all meekness unto all men" (Tit 3:2), even as God had "toward man" (Tit 2:11); opposed to the "hateful and hating" characteristics of unrenewed men, whose wretchedness moved God's benevolent kindness. of God our Saviour--Greek, "of our Saviour God," namely, the Father (Tit 1:3), who "saved us" (Tit 3:5) "through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Tit 3:6). appeared--Greek, "was made to appear"; was manifested.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But after that,.... After all this series and course of wickedness; notwithstanding all this foolishness, disobedience, deception, bondage to sin, envy, malice, and malignity; or "when" all this was, as the word may be rendered, amidst all this iniquity; when these persons were in the full career of sin, and so had done no preparatory works, or had any previous qualifications and dispositions for the grace of God: the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared; unto them; and the Ethiopic version adds, "unto us". The apostle takes the advantage of the above character of himself, and others in their former state, to set off and magnify the grace of God in their conversion; so contraries, as black and white, illustrate each other. By "God our Saviour" is not meant the Lord Jesus Christ, though he is commonly designed by our Saviour, and is several times called God our Saviour in this epistle; see Tit 1:3 and who is truly God, and the only Saviour of lost sinners; and whose kindness and love towards them has appeared in many instances; as in his suretiship undertakings for them, in his assumption of their nature, and in his suffering and dying in their room and stead: and yet it appears from Tit 3:6 that God our Saviour here, is distinguished from Jesus Christ our Saviour there; and therefore here must be understood of God the Father; who contrived the scheme of salvation, appointed Christ to be his salvation, and made a covenant with him, in which it secured, and sent him in time to obtain it, and through his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, saves all his people: it is his kindness and love to men that is here spoken of; and which designs not his general and providential goodness and kindness, which extends to the whole human nature, and to all the individuals of it; but his special love and grace shown in his kindness in Christ Jesus; that good will to men the angels sung of at Christ's incarnation; or that free favour and love of God towards elect men, which is sovereign and special, from everlasting to everlasting, unchangeable and unspeakable, which is better than life; the excellency of which cannot be expressed, and which has shown itself in various instances: it is said to have "appeared"; because it was hid from all eternity in the heart of God, in the thoughts of his heart, in his purposes, counsel, and covenant, and has been made manifest in time; particularly, it has broke forth and showed itself in the mission of Christ into this world, and in redemption and salvation by him; wherein God has manifested and commended his love, and shown forth the exceeding riches of his grace; and also in the effectual calling, which being a time of life, is a time of love, and is owing to the great love of God, and is a fruit and evidence of his everlasting and unchangeable love; and it is this instance and appearance of it, which is here meant, since it follows the account of the state and condition of the saints by nature; and is what was made to them when in this state, by which means they were brought out of it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:4-7 This passage might be a summary or quote from traditional teaching (see 1 Tim 1:15; 2:5-6). 3:4 We should behave toward our compatriots as God acted toward us—in kindness and love. God’s salvation makes this possible. • revealed (literally appeared): The Greek word relates to the coming of Christ (also in 2:11, 13; see study note on 1 Tim 6:14).