Tit 3:4-7 | RWP | e4.org | The kindness ( η χρηστοτης ). See for this very word used of God as here. His love toward man ( η φιλανθρωπια ). "The philanthrophy of God our Saviour." Old word from φιλανθρωπος , for love of mankind, in N.T. only here and . Appeared ( επεφανη ). See and here as there the Incarnation of Christ. See for σωτηρ with θεος (God).

‏ Titus 3:4-7

The kindness ( η χρηστοτης ). See Ro 2:4 for this very word used of God as here.

His love toward man ( η φιλανθρωπια ). "The philanthrophy of God our Saviour." Old word from φιλανθρωπος, for love of mankind, in N.T. only here and Ac 28:2.

Appeared ( επεφανη ). See 2:11 and here as there the Incarnation of Christ. See 1Ti 1:1 for σωτηρ with θεος (God).

Done (not in the Greek, only the article τÂων ), "not as a result of works those in righteousness which we did." Same idea as in Ro 3:20f.

According to his mercy he saved us ( κατα το αυτου ελεος εσωσεν ). See Ps 109:26; 1Pe 1:3; Eph 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of σωζω.

Through the washing of regeneration ( δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας ). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Mt 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια in Ac 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον, see Eph 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Ro 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it.

And renewing of the Holy Spirit ( κα ανακαινωσεως πνευματος αγιου ). "And renewal by the Holy Spirit" (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις, see Ro 12:2. Here, as often, Paul has put the objective symbol before the reality. The Holy Spirit does the renewing, man submits to the baptism after the new birth to picture it forth to men.

Which ( ου ). Genitive case by attraction from ο (grammatical gender) to the case of πνευματος αγιου. We do not have grammatical gender (only natural) in English. Hence here we should say "whom," even if it does not go smoothly with εξεχεεν (he poured out, second aorist active indicative of εκχεω ). The reference is to the great Pentecost (Ac 2:33) as foretold by Joel (Joe 2:28).

Richly ( πλουσιως ). Then and to each one in his own experience. See Ro 10:12; 1Ti 6:17.

Being justified by his grace ( δικαιωθεντες τη εκεινου χαριτ ). First aorist passive participle of δικαιοω and instrumental case of χαρις as in Ro 3:24; 5:1.

That we might be made heirs ( ινα κληρονομο γενηθωμεν ). Purpose with ινα and first aorist passive of γινομα. See Ro 4:13; 8:17.