Titus 3:8
Verse
Context
Heirs of Grace
7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
Sermons
Bill McLeod
Bob HoekstraBill McLeod
James BookerSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is a faithful saying - Πιστος ὁ λογος· This is the true doctrine; the doctrine that cannot fail. And these things I will - Και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι· And I will, or desire, thee to maintain earnestly what concerns these points. The things to which the apostle refers are those of which he had just been writing, and may be thus summed up: - 1. The ruined state of man, both in soul and body. 2. The infinite goodness of God which devised his salvation. 3. The manifestation of this goodness, by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 4. The justification which they who believed received through his blood. 5. The mission of the Holy Spirit, and the purification of the heart by his influence. 6. The hope of the resurrection of the body, and the final glorification of both it and the soul through all eternity. 7. The necessity of obedience to the will of God, and of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they had been called. 8. And all these points he wills him to press continually on the attention of believers; and to keep constantly in view, that all good comes from God's infinite kindness, by and through Christ Jesus. They which have believed in God - All Christians; for who can maintain good works but those who have the principle from which good works flow, for without faith it is impossible to please God. These things are good and profitable - They are good in themselves, and calculated to promote the well-being of men.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Greek, "faithful is the saying." A formula peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles. Here "the saying" is the statement (Tit 3:4-7) as to the gratuitousness of God's gift of salvation. Answering to the "Amen." these things, &c.--Greek, "concerning these things (the truths dwelt on, Tit 3:4-7; not as English Version, what follow), I will that thou affirm (insist) strongly and persistently, in order that they who have believed God (the Greek for 'believed in God' is different, Joh 14:1. 'They who have learnt to credit God' in what He saith) may be careful ('Solicitously sedulous'; diligence is necessary) to maintain (literally, 'to set before themselves so as to sustain') good works." No longer applying their care to "unprofitable" and unpractical speculations (Tit 3:9). These things--These results of doctrine ("good works") are "good and profitable unto men," whereas no such practical results flow from "foolish questions." So GROTIUS and WIESINGER. But ALFORD, to avoid the tautology, "these (good works) are good unto men," explains, "these truths" (Tit 3:4-7).
John Gill Bible Commentary
This is a faithful saying,.... Meaning the whole of what is before expressed, concerning the state and condition of God's elect by nature; the appearance of the love and kindness of God to them in the effectual calling; the salvation of them, according to the mercy of God, and not by works of righteousness; regeneration, and renovation by the Spirit of God, in which such an abundance of grace is communicated; and justification by the free grace of God, as God's way of salvation; and by which men are made to appear to be heirs of eternal life, and to have hope of it: now all, and each of this is a faithful saying, is true doctrine, and to be believed, professed, and published: wherefore it follows, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; that is, the above doctrines; the Arabic version renders it, "I will that thou be firm in these things"; and the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, "I will that thou confirmest them": the sense of the apostle is, that he would have Titus be assured of those truths himself; be at a point about them, and without any doubt or hesitation concerning them; and abide firm and constant in them, and speak of them with certainty, boldness, and confidence to others; and endeavour to confirm and establish them in them: for which purpose he would have them be frequently inculcated and insisted on; and that with this further view, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works; for "that", does not design the subject matter of the charge, or what the apostle would have constantly affirmed, but the end, and final event and issue of it; and nothing can more strongly engage to a studious concern for the performance of good works than the frequent insisting upon the above doctrines of grace: "by good works", are meant, not merely honest trades, and the lawful occupations and businesses of life, which should be carefully attended to, and diligently followed, in order to be useful and profitable to themselves, their families, and others; but every good work, every branch of duty, moral, civil, and religious: to "maintain" these according to the signification of the word used, is to excel in them; to outdo others; to go before others, by way of example, and so to provoke to love and to good works; and to make them the employment and business of men's lives; for which there should be a thoughtfulness, a carefulness, a studious concern, especially in those who "have believed in God"; who are regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God, and are justified by faith in the righteousness of Christ; who believe in him for peace, pardon, righteousness, life, and salvation: these are under great obligations to perform good works; the love of Christ should constrain them to them; and they are the only persons that are capable of doing them well, for they are sanctified, and made meet, and ready for every good work; they are created in Christ Jesus to them; they have the Spirit of Christ in them, and the strength of Christ with them, without which they cannot be performed well; and they have faith in Christ, without which it is impossible to please God. These things are good and profitable unto men: which is to be understood not of good works, though these are good in themselves, and profitable to men in their effects; being done among them, and before them, they set them an example of doing good likewise, when evil communications corrupt good manners; and many of them issue in their temporal good, profit, and advantage: but rather the doctrines of the Gospel are here designed, which are before briefly treated of, and are said to be a faithful saying; and which the apostle would have affirmed with, certainty and constancy, in order to engage believers to the performance of good works; and that for this reason, because these doctrines are "good", excellent, valuable, and precious, comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones: the author, matter, end, and use of them are good; they come from God; they are concerning Jesus Christ, and his grace; they contain good tidings of good things; and are exceeding useful to influence faith, hope, love, and a cheerful obedience to the will of God: they are profitable in the hands of the Spirit of God for conviction, conversion, comfort, and edification; for the quickening and enlightening of dead and dark sinners; for the reviving, establishing, and building up of the saints; they are the wholesome words of Christ, and are according to godliness, and are nourishing, when other doctrines eat as a canker: and this sense is confirmed, not only by what goes before, but by what follows after in the next verse; where insipid notions and controversies are opposed unto them, as unprofitable and vain.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:8 The trustworthy saying is 3:4-7 (cp. 1 Tim 1:15).
Titus 3:8
Heirs of Grace
7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Titus - Part 12): Sound Doctrine in Life
By A.W. Tozer4.3K24:54TitusMAT 7:21MAT 7:24TIT 1:16TIT 2:11TIT 3:1TIT 3:8TIT 3:14In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of sound teaching, which consists of both a foundation and a superstructure. He compares this concept to a tree with its roots and fruit, stating that one cannot exist without the other. The speaker references the book of Titus and the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7 to support his point. He highlights the need for right belief (theology) and right living (morality) to go hand in hand, just as a building needs to be constructed with the knowledge that it will face different weather conditions.
(Titus - Part 25): The Christian and Good Works I
By A.W. Tozer3.7K38:32TitusMAT 6:33LUK 18:1JHN 14:2ACT 20:241TI 1:152TI 4:7TIT 3:8In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of a faithful saying, which is a phrase often used by Paul in his writings. There is some debate among commentators about whether Paul meant the preceding or following statements to be the faithful saying. The preacher emphasizes the importance of believers being diligent in maintaining good works and being actively involved in serving God, even if they may not have certain talents like singing. He shares a testimony of a photographer who was converted by listening to a tape recording of one of his sermons.
(Titus - Part 26): The Christian and Good Works Ii
By A.W. Tozer3.6K33:51TitusEXO 2:11TIT 2:1TIT 3:8In this sermon, the preacher discusses the human tendency to choose short-term pleasures over long-term benefits. He uses examples like a person choosing to take a small amount of money instead of a larger sum, and someone starting piano lessons but quickly losing interest. The preacher suggests that this inclination towards instant gratification is due to our fallen nature and our desire to escape pain. However, he emphasizes that God allows difficulties in our lives for our own good and to teach us valuable lessons. The sermon also touches on the concept of the Space Age and how thinking from a heavenly perspective can help us overcome worldly concerns.
Social Aspects of Revival
By Bill McLeod1.2K42:25Spiritual AwakeningISA 60:22MAT 6:331TI 1:4TIT 2:7TIT 3:8TIT 3:14In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power of revival and its impact on society. He mentions the example of the 1904-05 revival and highlights the lasting blessings it brought, such as family bliss, peace of conscience, and holy conduct. The preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians being involved in supporting every good work, even if it is sponsored by the government. He also references Isaiah 60, which speaks of feeble churches becoming strong and small ones becoming a strong nation. The sermon concludes with a reference to chapter 61, where the Spirit of the Lord God is upon the speaker, indicating the potential for growth and strength in the church.
Working With God
By Bob Hoekstra1.1K52:23JHN 5:19JHN 14:101CO 3:91CO 15:102CO 6:12CO 9:8GAL 2:8EPH 2:10EPH 3:7EPH 3:202TI 2:21TIT 2:14TIT 3:81PE 4:10
This sermon emphasizes the importance of working with God in our lives, focusing on being vessels for honor, sanctified and prepared for every good work by God's grace. It highlights the need to cleanse ourselves, seek God's power at work in us, and be zealous for good works, all while acknowledging our dependency on God for effective service. The sermon draws parallels to Jesus' dependency on the Father and encourages a life of faith, humility, and prayer in working with God.
Love as Strong as Death
By Bill McLeod9581:17:37LoveLEV 19:181CO 13:12GAL 5:22TIT 3:8HEB 3:13HEB 10:24In this sermon, the pastor shares an illustration about a test he gave to his congregation to encourage them to love their neighbors as themselves. Initially, nothing happened, but when he repeated the command, people started getting up and engaging with one another. The pastor emphasizes the importance of loving one's neighbor and not being consumed by material possessions. He also references Bible verses that highlight the significance of love and how it surpasses other spiritual gifts.
Letters to 7 Churches 05 Thyatira-Careless Heart
By James Booker70443:59JHN 4:25JHN 9:35EPH 1:15TIT 3:8REV 2:18In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the description of Jesus as the discerning prince in Revelation 1:14-15. He highlights three aspects of Jesus' character: his preeminence, as the Son of God; his perception, with eyes like flames of fire; and his purifying work, symbolized by his feet like undefined brass. The preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' discernment in our lives and allowing his penetrating gaze to convict and purify us. He encourages believers to maintain a close relationship with Jesus through daily contact, allowing his Word and the Holy Spirit to search and transform their hearts.
Titus 3:8-11
By St. John Chrysostom0DAN 4:27ACT 4:35PHP 4:171TI 1:42TI 2:25TIT 3:8John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of maintaining good works and avoiding unprofitable disputes and contentions. He encourages believers to be diligent in almsgiving and to seek out opportunities to help those in need, highlighting that good works are beneficial to all. Chrysostom warns against engaging in futile arguments with heretics and advises to reject those who persist in heresy after repeated admonitions. He stresses the significance of almsgiving as a powerful virtue that not only benefits others but also strengthens one's relationship with God.
The Word Salvation
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0TIT 3:8Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes that salvation in the Bible is solely the work of God for individuals, not the work of individuals for God, and is granted upon the condition of faith. Good works are a result of salvation, not a requirement for it, as salvation encompasses various divine works like Atonement, Grace, Justification, and Sanctification. The transformation brought by salvation is the greatest work God can do for man, leading believers to be conformed to the image of Christ. Salvation is viewed in three tenses: past (saved from guilt), present (being saved from sin's power), and future (saved from the presence of sin into God's presence).
"Good Works-God's Design for Christians"
By A.W. Tozer0Good WorksGod's WillMAT 5:16ROM 12:1GAL 6:9EPH 2:10TIT 3:8A.W. Tozer emphasizes that good works are God's design for Christians, highlighting the dual feelings of hope and fear that arise from biblical teachings. He reflects on the Apostle Paul's assertion that maintaining good works is beneficial for humanity, urging believers to recognize that God's commands are ultimately for their advantage and eternal profit. Tozer illustrates that while earthly pursuits may offer immediate gratification, true fulfillment comes from aligning with God's will, which is always aimed at our long-term good. He encourages Christians to embrace the challenges and sacrifices of faith, understanding that they lead to spiritual growth and eternal rewards. The sermon concludes with a call to choose God's way over fleeting pleasures, trusting in His wisdom and love.
Epistle 321
By George Fox0Faith in ActionGood WorksMAT 26:10JHN 13:17GAL 6:9COL 1:102TH 2:171TI 5:10TIT 2:14TIT 3:8HEB 10:24JAS 1:27George Fox emphasizes the significance of good works in the life of a believer, illustrating that Christ gave Himself to redeem us and purify a people zealous for good deeds. He references various scriptures to highlight the importance of being fruitful in good works, caring for the needy, and practicing pure religion by helping the afflicted. Fox encourages the church to actively engage in acts of kindness and charity, reminding them that faith without works is dead. He concludes by urging believers to not only profess their faith but to live it out through their actions, following the example set by Christ.
"Good Works-the Proof of Salvation"
By A.W. Tozer0Faith and WorksEvidence of SalvationEPH 2:8TIT 3:8A.W. Tozer emphasizes that good works are the evidence of true salvation, urging believers to maintain them as a reflection of their faith in God. He explains that while salvation is not earned through works, genuine faith naturally produces good deeds as a response to God's grace. Tozer highlights the importance of affirming this truth constantly, as it is foundational to the Christian life. He warns against the extremes of neglecting good works or believing they are a means to salvation, asserting that true believers will be known by their actions. Ultimately, Tozer calls Christians to actively engage in good works as a demonstration of their faith and love for God.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is a faithful saying - Πιστος ὁ λογος· This is the true doctrine; the doctrine that cannot fail. And these things I will - Και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι· And I will, or desire, thee to maintain earnestly what concerns these points. The things to which the apostle refers are those of which he had just been writing, and may be thus summed up: - 1. The ruined state of man, both in soul and body. 2. The infinite goodness of God which devised his salvation. 3. The manifestation of this goodness, by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 4. The justification which they who believed received through his blood. 5. The mission of the Holy Spirit, and the purification of the heart by his influence. 6. The hope of the resurrection of the body, and the final glorification of both it and the soul through all eternity. 7. The necessity of obedience to the will of God, and of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they had been called. 8. And all these points he wills him to press continually on the attention of believers; and to keep constantly in view, that all good comes from God's infinite kindness, by and through Christ Jesus. They which have believed in God - All Christians; for who can maintain good works but those who have the principle from which good works flow, for without faith it is impossible to please God. These things are good and profitable - They are good in themselves, and calculated to promote the well-being of men.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Greek, "faithful is the saying." A formula peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles. Here "the saying" is the statement (Tit 3:4-7) as to the gratuitousness of God's gift of salvation. Answering to the "Amen." these things, &c.--Greek, "concerning these things (the truths dwelt on, Tit 3:4-7; not as English Version, what follow), I will that thou affirm (insist) strongly and persistently, in order that they who have believed God (the Greek for 'believed in God' is different, Joh 14:1. 'They who have learnt to credit God' in what He saith) may be careful ('Solicitously sedulous'; diligence is necessary) to maintain (literally, 'to set before themselves so as to sustain') good works." No longer applying their care to "unprofitable" and unpractical speculations (Tit 3:9). These things--These results of doctrine ("good works") are "good and profitable unto men," whereas no such practical results flow from "foolish questions." So GROTIUS and WIESINGER. But ALFORD, to avoid the tautology, "these (good works) are good unto men," explains, "these truths" (Tit 3:4-7).
John Gill Bible Commentary
This is a faithful saying,.... Meaning the whole of what is before expressed, concerning the state and condition of God's elect by nature; the appearance of the love and kindness of God to them in the effectual calling; the salvation of them, according to the mercy of God, and not by works of righteousness; regeneration, and renovation by the Spirit of God, in which such an abundance of grace is communicated; and justification by the free grace of God, as God's way of salvation; and by which men are made to appear to be heirs of eternal life, and to have hope of it: now all, and each of this is a faithful saying, is true doctrine, and to be believed, professed, and published: wherefore it follows, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; that is, the above doctrines; the Arabic version renders it, "I will that thou be firm in these things"; and the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, "I will that thou confirmest them": the sense of the apostle is, that he would have Titus be assured of those truths himself; be at a point about them, and without any doubt or hesitation concerning them; and abide firm and constant in them, and speak of them with certainty, boldness, and confidence to others; and endeavour to confirm and establish them in them: for which purpose he would have them be frequently inculcated and insisted on; and that with this further view, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works; for "that", does not design the subject matter of the charge, or what the apostle would have constantly affirmed, but the end, and final event and issue of it; and nothing can more strongly engage to a studious concern for the performance of good works than the frequent insisting upon the above doctrines of grace: "by good works", are meant, not merely honest trades, and the lawful occupations and businesses of life, which should be carefully attended to, and diligently followed, in order to be useful and profitable to themselves, their families, and others; but every good work, every branch of duty, moral, civil, and religious: to "maintain" these according to the signification of the word used, is to excel in them; to outdo others; to go before others, by way of example, and so to provoke to love and to good works; and to make them the employment and business of men's lives; for which there should be a thoughtfulness, a carefulness, a studious concern, especially in those who "have believed in God"; who are regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God, and are justified by faith in the righteousness of Christ; who believe in him for peace, pardon, righteousness, life, and salvation: these are under great obligations to perform good works; the love of Christ should constrain them to them; and they are the only persons that are capable of doing them well, for they are sanctified, and made meet, and ready for every good work; they are created in Christ Jesus to them; they have the Spirit of Christ in them, and the strength of Christ with them, without which they cannot be performed well; and they have faith in Christ, without which it is impossible to please God. These things are good and profitable unto men: which is to be understood not of good works, though these are good in themselves, and profitable to men in their effects; being done among them, and before them, they set them an example of doing good likewise, when evil communications corrupt good manners; and many of them issue in their temporal good, profit, and advantage: but rather the doctrines of the Gospel are here designed, which are before briefly treated of, and are said to be a faithful saying; and which the apostle would have affirmed with, certainty and constancy, in order to engage believers to the performance of good works; and that for this reason, because these doctrines are "good", excellent, valuable, and precious, comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones: the author, matter, end, and use of them are good; they come from God; they are concerning Jesus Christ, and his grace; they contain good tidings of good things; and are exceeding useful to influence faith, hope, love, and a cheerful obedience to the will of God: they are profitable in the hands of the Spirit of God for conviction, conversion, comfort, and edification; for the quickening and enlightening of dead and dark sinners; for the reviving, establishing, and building up of the saints; they are the wholesome words of Christ, and are according to godliness, and are nourishing, when other doctrines eat as a canker: and this sense is confirmed, not only by what goes before, but by what follows after in the next verse; where insipid notions and controversies are opposed unto them, as unprofitable and vain.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:8 The trustworthy saying is 3:4-7 (cp. 1 Tim 1:15).