Grace That Renews and Produces Gospel-Shaped Good Works
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) , Public Domain · Translation notes · Reference sources
Remind believers to live submissive, peaceable, and gentle lives in society
The saving mercy of God in regeneration, renewal, and justification
Insist on good works and reject divisive, profitless controversy
Final ministry instructions emphasizing practical support and fruitful living
Biblical Theology
Christ is central as Savior, the mediator of divine mercy, and the basis of justification and eternal hope. Through Him the kindness and love of God appear, and through His saving work a purified, renewed, and fruitful people are formed.
Paul argues that Christian conduct in society must arise from the reality of salvation by mercy, not from self-righteousness. Believers were once enslaved to sin, but God saved them through regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, justified them by grace, and made them heirs of eternal life. Therefore, grace must produce humility, civic faithfulness, and active devotion to good works...
The covenant people of God are shown to be a renewed community created by divine mercy and marked by holiness in public life. Their identity is not rooted in ethnic distinction or legal achievement but in God’s saving action, producing a people who embody peace, obedience, and visible usefulness in the world.
The covenant people of God are shown to be a renewed community created by divine mercy and marked by holiness in public life. Their identity is not rooted in ethnic distinction or legal achievement but in God’s saving action, producing a people who embody peace, obedience, and visible usefulness in the world.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Isaiah 1:16-17
Micah 6:8
Romans 5:5
Remind believers to live submissive, peaceable, and gentle lives in society
Believers are to live submissive, gentle, and peaceable lives in society because they themselves were once enslaved to sin but have now been saved solely by God's mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Biblical Theology
We were once foolish, disobedient, enslaved to passions — but when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared, he saved us — not because of works but by his own mercy — through washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit...
He saved us through washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit — the most direct NT citation of Ezek 36:25-27 ('I will sprinkle clean water on you; I will give you a new heart; I will put my Spirit within you')...
Fulfillment: Ezekiel 36:25-27; Exodus 29:4; Deuteronomy 4:20
1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
The saving mercy of God in regeneration, renewal, and justification
3 For 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.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He 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.
6 This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
Insist on good works and reject divisive, profitless controversy
The trustworthy message of salvation by grace must be confidently affirmed so that believers devote themselves to good works, while foolish controversies and divisive people are to be rejected for the sake of church health.
Biblical Theology
The saying is trustworthy — insist on these things so those who have believed may devote themselves to good works. Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies — they are unprofitable and worthless. As for the divisive person, warn them once, then twice, then have nothing more to do with them.
Devoting themselves to good works is excellent and profitable for people — the OT pattern of covenant obedience as the fruit of salvation (Deut 26:16-19; Ezek 36:27 — I will cause you to walk in my statutes)...
Fulfillment: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Ecclesiastes 12:12; Deuteronomy 17:12
8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
11 knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final ministry instructions emphasizing practical support and fruitful living
The letter closes by highlighting gospel partnership, practical support for fellow workers, and the continuing call for believers to devote themselves to good works so they will not be unfruitful.
Biblical Theology
When Paul sends Artemas or Tychicus, Titus should come to Nicopolis. Help Zenas and Apollos on their way. Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works — they must help cases of urgent need. All who are with Paul send greetings. Grace be with you all.
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
13 Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.
14 And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.