3 “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 ESV)
Titus 3:6-7 continues the instructions the Apostle Paul began in 3:3-5. In stating the Holy Spirit is the source of regeneration, or the new birth (John 3:1-8), Paul further explains what God the Father did through the Holy Spirit on the basis of the completed work of Jesus Christ. This section is an excellent treatise regarding the Trinity.
To begin with, Paul describes God the Father pouring out the Holy Spirit. The word poured (ἐκχέω; ekcheō) means to shed or to pour out like a liquid. This was a rich pouring. Richly (πλουσίως; plousiōs) means lavishly and abundantly. God has blessed believers beyond measure (Acts 2:38–39; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11, 13; Eph. 3:20; 5:18).
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is contingent upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. The earthly ministry of Christ was the prerequisite for the New Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is because of the justifying grace of God that believers in Christ are heirs (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 3:29; I Peter 1:3-5). This status in Christ provides believers with confidence before God in their anticipation of eternal life in Christ.
Being justified (δικαιωθέντες; dikaiothentes) is an aorist passive plural verb. It refers to God the Father declaring the repentance sinner righteous on the basis of the perfect righteousness of Christ. It refers to the guilt of our sin being satisfied by the substitutionary atonement of the Lord Jesus on the cross.
Romans 5:1 (ESV) says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“The central truth of salvation is justification by faith alone. When a sinner repents and places his faith in Jesus Christ, God declares him just, imputes the righteousness of Christ to him, and gives him eternal life by virtue of the substitutionary death of Christ as the penalty for that sinner’s iniquity (Rom. 3:21–5:21; Gal. 3:6–22; Phil. 3:8–9). As adopted children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, believers become “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17; cf. 1 Pet. 1:3–4),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
God’s justifying work is on the basis on His sovereign grace alone, through God-given faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. It is because of God’s unmerited favor towards sinners they become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
“The purpose, then, of the work of God in saving us is “that … we might become heirs … of life everlasting”; that is, that even now in this present life we might have the right as children to look forward to the full possession of that which we now possess only in principle. When that future day arrives, we shall rejoice in the richest possible (because sinless!) fellowship with God in Christ (John 3:16; 17:3), basking in the sunshine of his love (John 5:42) and partaking, to the fullest extent possible for man, of his joy and glory (John 17:13). That life differs, accordingly, in essence from the “life”(?) of the unbeliever, and in degree even from the life of the believer here below. It is, moreover, actually ever-lasting, that is, never-ending. Of that life as it is in principle we are now the possessors; and of that life as it will be in perfection we are even now the heirs, but heirs-in-hope, hoping heirs. But this hope will certainly be realized (Rom. 5:5).”[1]
Take the opportunity today to thank God for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in your life (Rom. 8:9). Have a blessed day in the LORD.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 393.
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