 | 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, |
 | 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; |
 | He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
| Titus 3:5 |
Commentary
3:5not by works of righteousness: Since Paul has been exhorting Titus to emphasize good works in his ministry with the Cretans, he wants to make it clear that such works have no value in saving a person. Rather, it is solely on the basis of God's mercy that we are delivered from the penalty of our sin.
washing of regeneration: This phrase refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, who in a moment makes a person new by the cleansing of regeneration (the new birth). This new nature is the ground for living the Christian life and performing good deeds.
renewing of the Holy Spirit: The continual process of Christian living is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works.
3:5not by works of righteousness: Since Paul has been exhorting Titus to emphasize good works in his ministry with the Cretans, he wants to make it clear that such works have no value in saving a person. Rather, it is solely on the basis of God's mercy that we are delivered from the penalty of our sin.
washing of regeneration: This phrase refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, who in a moment makes a person new by the cleansing of regeneration (the new birth). This new nature is the ground for living the Christian life and performing good deeds.
renewing of the Holy Spirit: The continual process of Christian living is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Tit 3:5). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
Regeneration
(Gk. palingenēsia, lit. "becoming again" or "being born again") is produced by "the word of truth" (James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23) and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6). Regeneration and renewal describe the work of God in changing a heart from one that has a propensity to evil to one that is capable of faith and good works (Ezek. 36:26, 27).
Regeneration
(Gk. palingenēsia, lit. "becoming again" or "being born again") is produced by "the word of truth" (James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23) and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6). Regeneration and renewal describe the work of God in changing a heart from one that has a propensity to evil to one that is capable of faith and good works (Ezek. 36:26, 27).
Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Tit 3:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.