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” (Titus 3:4-5 KJV).
This certainly is a great gospel text! It begins with the little word “but,” which places the hopefulness of verses 4 and 5 in contrast with the hopelessness found in verse 3. It assures us that God has made all the difference. He is the source of our hope; “He saved us,” not “works of righteousness” (which, of course, apart from being saved, people cannot do). And what motivated God to provide salvation? Note the expressions of God’s character found in our text: “kindness,” “love,” “mercy,” and in verse 6, “grace.” All of these “appeared” in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Observe in Him the heart of our God.
Let’s briefly pause to notice the contrast between man’s sinfulness in verse 3 with the precious aspects of God’s character already mentioned: we see self-centeredness vs. love (philanthropia, love of human beings), maliciousness vs. kindness, envy vs. mercy, hate vs. grace. A stark contrast indeed! Note also, verse 4 initiates a blessed sequence which culminates in verse 7: kindness and love motivating mercy, mercy bringing about salvation, salvation leading to justification, and, ultimately, justification enabling inheritance. This sequence of blessings is reminiscent of Romans 8:32. Truly, with Christ, God “freely gives us all things.”
Moving on to verse 5, we find two wonderful (and profound) phrases: “the washing of regeneration” and “renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Before determining their meaning, let us first notice that since “saved” here is in the past tense, these phrases cannot speak of ongoing processes. Rather, they must describe events completed at the moment of salvation. And indeed, they do. In fact, they tell us how salvation happens.
The first phrase speaks of an experience of cleansing, and the Greek word for “washing” indicates the comprehensiveness of that cleansing. It speaks of bathing, that is, a complete and thorough washing of whatever is being cleansed. The Greek word for “regeneration” is composed of two words – the first one, “again,” and the second, “beginning,” indicating a “new beginning.” It is by this new beginning that sinners receive total cleansing from sin’s defilement.
Examining our second phrase, we find a renewing (or renewal) accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Whereas the first phrase emphasizes cleansing from sin, the second has to do with a broader, all-inclusive experience. True, there is a close relationship and similarity between “regeneration” and “renewal.” This has led some to conclude that the “and” connecting the above phrases has the sense of “even,” thereby making the second phrase an explanation of the first.
Yet, although very similar, the underlying grammatical structure indicates that these phrases are distinct, each one having its own emphasis. The first, as already stated, emphasizes a comprehensive cleansing; the second emphasizes the comprehensive renewal of a believer’s entire inner being. In summary, then, this Scripture passage enables us to understand God’s “so great salvation” for what it truly is – a mighty miracle of God. Have you, dear reader, experienced this mighty miracle in your life?
