Titus 3 5

Titus 3:5 kjv

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;

Titus 3:5 nkjv

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5 niv

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5 esv

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,

Titus 3:5 nlt

he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3 verses

Titus 3 5 Meaning

Titus 3:5 concisely declares that salvation is not attained by human acts of righteousness, but entirely springs from God's undeserved mercy. This salvation involves a spiritual new birth, signified by a cleansing "washing," and is brought about and sustained by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. It highlights that humanity's former sinful state is exchanged for a new, Spirit-infused life.

Titus 3 5 Context

Titus 3:5 is a foundational statement of Christian theology within Paul's practical instruction to Titus. In the verses preceding (Titus 3:1-2), Paul exhorts believers in Crete to submit to authorities and live peaceably, demonstrating gentleness to all. He then immediately transitions in Titus 3:3-4 to explain the basis for such a transformed life: the recognition of their own former spiritual depravity ("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").

Verse 5, therefore, serves as the critical turning point and theological ground. It answers how they escaped that former wretched state, providing a vivid contrast between humanity's inability to save itself and God's powerful, merciful intervention. It sets the stage for the good works that are evidence of salvation (Titus 3:8, 14), rather than the means of salvation. Historically, this countered common pagan ideas of self-improvement for divine favor and Jewish notions of salvation through strict adherence to the Law. The epistle as a whole balances sound doctrine with sound living, demonstrating that theological truth has practical implications for daily conduct.

Titus 3 5 Word analysis

• not by works of righteousness which we have done:

  • Word: "not" (ouk) – absolute negation, emphasizing that human effort is excluded as a means of salvation.
  • Word: "works" (ergōn) – actions, deeds.
  • Word: "righteousness" (dikaiosynē) – uprightness, conformity to a divine standard. Here refers to human attempts to gain merit.
  • Word: "done" (epoiesamen) – action performed by "us."
  • Analysis: This phrase forms a polemic against any notion that human performance or moral good can earn God's favor or merit salvation. It highlights the inadequacy of self-effort. This refutes both pagan concepts of earning favor through piety/rituals and legalistic interpretations of the Mosaic Law as a path to justification. It stresses humanity's spiritual bankruptcy.

• but according to His mercy:

  • Word: "but" (alla) – strong contrast, shifting the focus entirely from human effort to divine initiative.
  • Word: "according to" (kata) – in accordance with, determined by.
  • Word: "His" (autou) – refers to God.
  • Word: "mercy" (eleos) – compassionate kindness, pity. God's pity for undeserving sinners.
  • Analysis: The sole origin of salvation is God's nature, specifically His undeserved compassion and grace. This grounds salvation firmly in God's character and free will, not in any perceived human worth or action. It reveals God as the benevolent actor.

• He saved us:

  • Word: "He" (autos) – emphatic, referring to God.
  • Word: "saved" (esōsen) – from sōzō, meaning to rescue, deliver, make whole. Perfect tense verb in Greek, indicating a completed past action with ongoing results.
  • Word: "us" (hēmas) – referring to believers.
  • Analysis: A clear declaration of the divine act of salvation. The perfect tense underscores that this is a definite, finished act by God for believers, establishing a secure standing, though the effects unfold throughout life.

• by the washing of regeneration:

  • Word: "by" (dia) – through the instrumentality of.
  • Word: "washing" (loutrou) – bath, bathing. In other NT contexts, sometimes refers to literal baptism.
  • Word: "regeneration" (palingenesias) – palin (again) + genesis (birth); "new birth," "renewal," "restoration." In the NT, used only here for personal transformation and in Mt 19:28 for cosmic renewal.
  • Analysis: This phrase speaks of a transformative spiritual rebirth. The "washing" often points symbolically or sacramentally to water baptism, not as a meritorious act, but as the outward sign and visible declaration of the inward, spiritual reality of regeneration wrought by the Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the cleansing from sin and the new spiritual life received.

• and renewing of the Holy Ghost:

  • Word: "and" (kai) – connects the two aspects, showing they are intertwined, often seen as two facets of the same event.
  • Word: "renewing" (anakainōseōs) – renovation, fresh start, spiritual restoration. This word implies a continuous or ongoing process beyond the initial moment.
  • Word: "Holy Ghost" (Pneumatos Hagiou) – Holy Spirit.
  • Analysis: The Holy Spirit is identified as the active agent not only in the initial "new birth" (regeneration) but also in the ongoing process of transforming and restoring the believer (sanctification). This emphasizes the Spirit's vital role in both beginning and sustaining the Christian life, renewing minds, hearts, and conduct according to God's will.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "not by works of righteousness... but according to His mercy": This powerful antithesis clarifies that salvation is unilaterally from God, removing all human boasting and highlighting divine grace as the sole basis.
  • "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost": These two closely linked phrases describe the how of salvation from God's perspective. Regeneration (the initial impartation of new life) is described with imagery of cleansing and new birth, while renewal (the ongoing transformation) is explicitly attributed to the Spirit's dynamic power. They present salvation as a holistic process initiated by God through the Spirit.

Titus 3 5 Bonus section

• The term "washing of regeneration" (loutron palingenesias) is significant. The word loutron can mean a literal bath or act of bathing. In early church history and theological discourse, this phrase was often strongly associated with Christian baptism, underscoring its symbolic meaning of cleansing and new life. It's crucial to distinguish between the outward rite and the inward spiritual reality; baptism symbolizes and signifies the work the Spirit does in regeneration and renewal, it does not merit salvation itself.
• The connection between "regeneration" (palingenesia) and "renewing" (anakainōsis) indicates a dynamic process. Regeneration is the initial impartation of new life, the decisive turning point. Renewing describes the ongoing, transformative work of the Holy Spirit throughout a believer's life, sanctifying and conforming them to Christ. Both aspects are essential to the complete picture of salvation and Christian living.
• Paul often juxtaposes human inability/works with divine mercy/grace and the Spirit's work throughout his letters (e.g., Romans, Galatians, Ephesians), making Titus 3:5 a concise summation of these broader theological themes. It acts as a powerful reminder against legalism, self-righteousness, and any form of works-based salvation.

Titus 3 5 Commentary

Titus 3:5 encapsulates the Gospel's core message: salvation is entirely God's work, motivated by His mercy, not human merit. Paul forcefully rejects any contribution of human "works of righteousness" to one's salvation, affirming the radical grace that underscores Christian redemption. This directly countered the prevailing thoughts of the time, whether legalistic adherence to the Law (as taught by some Jewish teachers) or moralistic self-improvement prevalent in Greco-Roman ethics. Our righteous deeds, however good by human standards, are fundamentally insufficient and flawed to meet God's perfect standard for justification.

Instead, salvation originates "according to His mercy." This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and benevolent character as the spring of salvation. He saves out of His pity and compassion for humanity, which is depicted just prior as rebellious, foolish, and enslaved to sin. The act of saving is definitive, a completed historical event ("He saved us"), with profound, enduring effects for the believer.

The verse then describes the mechanism of this salvation: "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." The "washing of regeneration" speaks of a spiritual new birth. While many see a clear reference to water baptism as the outward symbol of this inward spiritual reality, the emphasis is on the inner spiritual transformation (regeneration/new birth), rather than the physical ritual itself. It is the spiritual cleansing and creation of a new spiritual life. This regeneration is intrinsically linked with, and indeed performed by, the "renewing of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Spirit is the active agent in creating new life within the individual (regeneration) and in continuously transforming the believer's mind, will, and affections into conformity with Christ's image (renewal, leading to sanctification). Thus, salvation involves both a definitive new beginning and an ongoing divine work in the believer's life, entirely sourced in God's grace and powered by His Spirit. This grace then leads to and empowers the good works mentioned later in the chapter (Titus 3:8), which become the fruit, not the root, of salvation.