Fathers

Titus 3

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Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Titus 3:5

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

He saved us not by works which we had done, in other words: we had not even done works worthy of justification, nor were we saved by them, but His grace accomplished everything. Alas, we were so immersed in evil that we could no longer be cleansed, but had need of regeneration. For this is what regeneration and renewal mean — a second birth and a new formation. Just as we do not prop up a completely dilapidated house, but tear it down to its foundations and build it anew, so God did not merely repair us, but fully recreated us. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Cyprian

But what a thing it is, to assert and contend that they who are not born in the Church can be the sons of God! For the blessed apostle sets forth and proves that baptism is that wherein the old man dies and the new man is born, saying, "He saved us by the washing of regeneration." But if regeneration is in the washing, that is, in baptism, how can heresy, which is not the spouse of Christ, generate sons to God by Christ? …

Epistle LXXIII ↗

Methodius of Olympus

And this very thing the prophet before had announced in the words: No ambassador, nor angel, but the Lord Himself saved them; because He loved them, and spared them, and He took them up, and exalted them. And all this was, not of works of righteousness which we have done, nor because we loved Thee,-for our first earthly forefather, who was honourably entertained, in the delightful abode of Paradise, despised Thy divine and saving commandment, and was judged unworthy of that life-giving place, and mingling his seed with the bastard …

Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

It is true we have not yet risen as Christ has, but we are said to have risen with Him on account of the hope which we have in Him. So again he says: "According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration." Evidently what we obtain in the washing of regeneration is not the salvation itself, but the hope of it. And yet, because this hope is certain, we are said to be saved, as if the salvation were already bestowed. …

Reply To Faustus The Manichaean 11.7 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

Who is the one who is born of the Spirit and is made Spirit? It is one who is renewed in the Spirit of his mind. It is one who is regenerated by water and the Holy Spirit. We receive the hope of eternal life through the laver of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. And elsewhere the apostle Peter says: "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." For who is he that is baptized with the Holy Spirit but he who is born again through water and the Holy Spirit? …

On the Holy Spirit 3.10.64 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then, when he says, not by the works, he states the reason why he saves: first, he rejects the supposed reason; second, he mentions the true reason. The supposed reason is that we are saved because of our own merits. But he rejects this when he says, not by the works of justice which we have done: "there is a remnant chosen by grace" (Rom 11:5); "not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going to possess their land" (Deut 9:5). …

Commentary on Titus ↗