Titus 3:1-7
We Were That Too
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1Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
2to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
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.
6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul tells Titus to remind believers of their public responsibilities: submit to rulers, obey, be ready for good work, speak without slander and treat everyone gently. Their faith should be visible beyond the church and household.
He gives a humbling reason for that gentleness. Believers themselves once lived in foolishness, disobedience and slavery to desires, with malice and envy toward others. Paul includes himself. Remembering the mercy we needed leaves little room to despise people who still need it.
God saved us because of His mercy, not because our righteous deeds earned His favor. His kindness and love appeared in a rescue that reached within: the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. God gave new life where sin had ruled.
He poured out the Spirit abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Justified by grace, believers are accepted as righteous before God and become heirs with the hope of eternal life. Their future rests in His gift, not in a record of achievement.
These truths support the opening commands. People who have received such mercy can obey, serve and show consideration without pretending they were always better than their neighbors. God's grace supplies both a new standing before Him and a new way of life among others.
Questions
1 How should believers behave toward others in public life?
AnswerThey should obey authorities, be ready for good work, avoid slander and show gentleness and consideration to everyone they encounter.
2 Why does Paul remind them of their former lives?
AnswerThey too once lived in disobedience, deception and harmful desires. Remembering their need for mercy should humble their treatment of others.
3 On what basis did God save His people?
AnswerHe saved them according to His mercy, not their righteous deeds, through new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
4 What future belongs to those justified by grace?
AnswerThey become heirs with the hope of eternal life, accepted by God's grace and supplied with His Spirit through Jesus Christ.
What This Means for Us
Before speaking harshly about a difficult neighbor or public figure, remember the mercy you have received. You can name wrongdoing truthfully without slander or contempt.
Choose a helpful action toward someone outside your usual circle. God's kindness has given you new life; ask His Spirit to make that kindness visible in your words and service.
Prayer
Merciful Savior, thank You for new birth, renewal and acceptance by grace. Keep us humble about our past and gentle toward our neighbors, living as heirs of the eternal life You promise. Amen.