Fathers

Titus 3

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Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful. All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Titus 3:4

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Ver. 4. "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared." How? "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." Strange! How were we drowned in wickedness, so that we could not be purified, but needed a new birth? …

Homily on Titus 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

That is, when the Only-begotten became incarnate and became like us.

Commentary on Titus ↗

Oecumenius

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. Through His incarnation. not because of works done by us in righteousness. Not because, Paul says, we live so religiously as to urge him to become incarnate, but because God himself wished to have mercy on us, being unworthy. works done by us. For we did not do it.

Commentary On Titus ↗

Western Saints

Leo the Great

Accordingly let those men cease their complaints who with disloyal murmurs speak against the dispensations of God, and babble about the lateness of the Lord's Nativity as if that, which was fulfilled in the last age of the world, had no bearing upon the times that are past. For the Incarnation of the Word did but contribute to the doing of that which was done: and the mystery of man's salvation was never in the remotest age at a standstill. …

Sermons 23.4 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then, he describes the present state of our salvation, when he says, but when the benignity. First, he describes its order and process; second, he confirms what he has said, at it is a faithful saying. In regard to the first he does four things: first, he shows the cause of our salvation; second, the reason he saves, at not by the works of justice; third, the way he saves us, at by the washing; fourth, the end, at that, being justified. …

Commentary on Titus ↗