KJV: 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;
YLT: (not by works that are in righteousness that we did but according to His kindness,) He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Darby: not on the principle of works which have been done in righteousness which we had done, but according to his own mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
ASV: not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
| ἔργων | works |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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| τῶν | - |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| δικαιοσύνῃ | righteousness |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: δικαιοσύνη Sense: in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God. |
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| ἃ | that |
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Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ὅς Sense: who, which, what, that. |
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| κατὰ | according to |
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Parse: Preposition Root: κατά Sense: down from, through out. |
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| τὸ | - |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| αὐτοῦ | His |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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| ἔλεος | mercy |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ἔλεος Sense: mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. |
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| ἔσωσεν | He saved |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἐκσῴζω Sense: to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction. |
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| ἡμᾶς | us |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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| διὰ | through |
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Parse: Preposition Root: διά Sense: through. |
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| λουτροῦ | [the] washing |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: λουτρόν Sense: bathing, bath, the act of bathing. |
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| παλινγενεσίας | of regeneration |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: παλιγγενεσία Sense: new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration. |
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| ἀνακαινώσεως | renewing |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ἀνακαίνωσις Sense: a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better. |
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| Πνεύματος | of [the] Spirit |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: πνεῦμα Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast. |
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| Ἁγίου | Holy |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: ἅγιος Sense: most holy thing, a saint. |
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Greek Commentary for Titus 3:5
(not in the Greek, only the article των tōn), “not as a result of works those in righteousness which we did.” Same idea as in Romans 3:20. [source]
See Psalm 109:26; 1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of σωζω sōzō Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας dia loutrou palingenesias). 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. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 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 “And renewal by the Holy Spirit” (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις anakainōsis see note on Romans 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. [source]
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. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. [source]
“And renewal by the Holy Spirit” (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις anakainōsis see note on Romans 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. [source]
Lit. not by works, those namely in righteousness, which we did. The thought is entirely Pauline. Ἑξ ἔργων strictly, out of, in consequence of works. Εν δικαιοσύνῃ inthe sphere of righteousness; as legally righteous men. Comp. Ephesians 2:9. We did emphatic. Comp. Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:12; Galatians 5:3. [source]
The phrase only 1 Peter 1:3. Comp. Romans 15:9; Ephesians 2:4; Judges 1:21. [source]
Λουτρόν only here and Ephesians 5:26. It does not mean the act of bathing, but the bath, the laver. Παλινγενεσία only here and Matthew 19:28, where it is used of the final restoration of all things. The phrase laver of regeneration distinctly refers to baptism, in connection with which and through which as a medium regeneration is conceived as taking place. Comp. Romans 6:3-5. It is true that nothing is said of faith; but baptism implies faith on the part of its recipient. It has no regenerating effect apart from faith; and the renewing of the Holy Spirit is not bestowed if faith be wanting. [source]
Only here and Romans 12:2. Comp. 2 Corinthians 5:7. Paul has ἀνακαινοῦν torenew, 2 Corinthians 4:16; Colossians 3:10: ἀνακαίνωσις renewing Romans 12:2. Ἁνακαινίζειν torenew, only Hebrews 6:6. The connection of the genitive is disputed. Some make it dependent on λουτροῦ bathso that the bath of baptism is conceived as implying regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Others construe with renewing only, ἀνακαινώσεως being dependent on διὰ ; through the laver of regeneration and (through) the renewing, etc. The former seems the more probable. The phrase renewing of the Holy Spirit only here. In N.T. the Spirit or the Holy Spirit is joined in the genitive with the following words: comfort, joy, power, love, demonstration, manifestation, earnest, ministration, fellowship, promise, fruit, unity, sword, sanctification. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Titus 3:5
The exposition of this much controverted passage does not fall within the scope of this work. We may observe, 1. That Jesus here lays down the preliminary conditions of entrance into His kingdom, expanding and explaining His statement in John 3:3. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. That this condition is here stated as complex, including two distinct factors, water and the Spirit. 3. That the former of these two factors is not to be merged in the latter; that the spiritual element is not to exclude or obliterate the external and ritual element. We are not to understand with Calvin, the Holy Spirit as the purifying water in the spiritual sense: “water which is the Spirit.”-DIVIDER- 4. That water points definitely to the rite of baptism, and that with a twofold reference - to the past and to the future. Water naturally suggested to Nicodemus the baptism of John, which was then awakening such profound and general interest; and, with this, the symbolical purifications of the Jews, and the Old Testament use of washing as the figure of purifying from sin (Psalm 2:2, Psalm 2:7; Ezekiel 36:25; Zechariah 13:1). Jesus' words opened to Nicodemus a new and more spiritual significance in both the ceremonial purifications and the baptism of John which the Pharisees had rejected (Luke 7:30). John's rite had a real and legitimate relation to the kingdom of God which Nicodemus must accept. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 5. That while Jesus asserted the obligation of the outward rite, He asserted likewise, as its necessary complement, the presence and creating and informing energy of the Spirit with which John had promised that the coming one should baptize. That as John's baptism had been unto repentance, for the remission of sins, so the new life must include the real no less than the symbolic cleansing of the old, sinful life, and the infusion by the Spirit of a new and divine principle of life. Thus Jesus' words included a prophetic reference to the complete ideal of Christian baptism - “the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26); according to which the two factors are inseparably blended (not the one swallowed up by the other), and the new life is inaugurated both symbolically in the baptism with water, and actually in the renewing by the Holy Spirit, yet so as that the rite, through its association with the Spirit's energy, is more than a mere symbol: is a veritable vehicle of grace to the recipient, and acquires a substantial part in the inauguration of the new life. Baptism, considered merely as a rite, and apart from the operation of the Spirit, does not and cannot impart the new life. Without the Spirit it is a lie. It is a truthful sign only as the sign of an inward and spiritual grace. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 6. That the ideal of the new life presented in our Lord's words, includes the relation of the regenerated man to an organization. The object of the new birth is declared to be that a man may see and enter into the kingdom of God. But the kingdom of God is an economy. It includes and implies the organized Christian community. This is one of the facts which, with its accompanying obligation, is revealed to the new vision of the new man. He sees not only God, but the kingdom of God; God as King of an organized citizenship; God as the Father of the family of mankind; obligation to God implying obligation to the neighbor; obligation to Christ implying obligation to the church, of which He is the head, “which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all things with all things” (Ephesians 1:23). Through water alone, the mere external rite of baptism, a man may pass into the outward fellowship of the visible church without seeing or entering the kingdom of God. Through water and the Spirit, he passes indeed into the outward fellowship, but through that into the vision and fellowship of the kingdom of God. [source]
Double compound (απο κατα ιστημι apoαποκατιστημι kataπαλινγενεσια histēmi), here only in the N.T., though common in late writers. In papyri and inscriptions for repairs to temples and this phrase occurs in Jewish apocalyptic writings, something like the new heaven and the new earth of Revelation 21:1. Paul has a mystical allusion also to the agony of nature in Romans 8:20-22. The verb apokathistēmi is used by Jesus of the spiritual and moral restoration wrought by the Baptist as Elijah (Matthew 17:11; Mark 9:12) and by the disciples to Jesus in Acts 1:6. Josephus uses the word of the return from captivity and Philo of the restitution of inheritances in the year of jubilee. As a technical medical term it means complete restoration to health. See a like idea in palingenesia (renewal, new birth) in Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5. This universalism of Peter will be clearer to him after Joppa and Caesarea. [source]
Only in Paul, and only three times; here, Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9. Compare John 3:3; Titus 3:5. The old, unrenewed self. Paul views the Christian before his union with Christ, as, figuratively, another person. Somewhat in the same way he regards himself in ch. 7. [source]
First aorist active participle of καταριζω katharizō to cleanse, either simultaneous action or antecedent. By the washing of water (τωι λουτρωι του υδατος tōi loutrōi tou hudatos). If λουτρον loutron only means bath or bathing-place (= λουτρον loutron), then λουτρωι loutrōi is in the locative. If it can mean bathing or washing, it is in the instrumental case. The usual meaning from Homer to the papyri is the bath or bathing-place, though some examples seem to mean bathing or washing. Salmond doubts if there are any clear instances. The only other N.T. example of λουτρον loutron is in Titus 3:5. The reference here seems to be to the baptismal bath (immersion) of water, “in the bath of water.” See note on 1 Corinthians 6:11 for the bringing together of απελουσαστε apelousasthe and ηγιαστητε hēgiasthēte Neither there nor here does Paul mean that the cleansing or sanctification took place in the bath save in a symbolic fashion as in Romans 6:4-6. Some think that Paul has also a reference to the bath of the bride before marriage. Still more difficult is the phrase “with the word” (εν ρηματι en rēmati). In John 17:17 Jesus connected “truth” with “sanctify.” That is possible here, though it may also be connected with καταρισας katharisas (having cleansed). Some take it to mean the baptismal formula. [source]
If λουτρον loutron only means bath or bathing-place (= λουτρον loutron), then λουτρωι loutrōi is in the locative. If it can mean bathing or washing, it is in the instrumental case. The usual meaning from Homer to the papyri is the bath or bathing-place, though some examples seem to mean bathing or washing. Salmond doubts if there are any clear instances. The only other N.T. example of λουτρον loutron is in Titus 3:5. The reference here seems to be to the baptismal bath (immersion) of water, “in the bath of water.” See note on 1 Corinthians 6:11 for the bringing together of απελουσαστε apelousasthe and ηγιαστητε hēgiasthēte Neither there nor here does Paul mean that the cleansing or sanctification took place in the bath save in a symbolic fashion as in Romans 6:4-6. Some think that Paul has also a reference to the bath of the bride before marriage. Still more difficult is the phrase “with the word” In John 17:17 Jesus connected “truth” with “sanctify.” That is possible here, though it may also be connected with καταρισας katharisas (having cleansed). Some take it to mean the baptismal formula. [source]
Present passive articular participle of ανακαινοω anakainoō Paul apparently coined this word on the analogy of ανανεομαι ananeomai Ανακαινιζω Anakainizō already existed (Hebrews 6:6). Paul also uses ανακαινωσις anakainōsis (Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5) found nowhere before him. By this word Paul adds the meaning of καινος kainos to that of νεος neos just before. It is a continual refreshment (καινος kainos) of the new (νεος neos young) man in Christ Jesus. [source]
“The new (young as opposed to old παλαιον palaion) man” (though αντρωπον anthrōpon is not here expressed, but understood from the preceding phrase). In Ephesians 4:24 Paul has ενδυσασται τον καινον endusasthai ton kainon (fresh as opposed to worn out) αντρωπον anthrōpon Which is being renewed (τον ανακαινουμενον ton anakainoumenon). Present passive articular participle of ανακαινοω anakainoō Paul apparently coined this word on the analogy of ανανεομαι ananeomai Ανακαινιζω Anakainizō already existed (Hebrews 6:6). Paul also uses ανακαινωσις anakainōsis (Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5) found nowhere before him. By this word Paul adds the meaning of καινος kainos to that of νεος neos just before. It is a continual refreshment (καινος kainos) of the new (νεος neos young) man in Christ Jesus. Unto knowledge “Unto full (additional) knowledge,” one of the keywords in this Epistle. After the image (κατ εικονα kat' eikona). An allusion to Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:28. The restoration of the image of God in us is gradual and progressive (2 Corinthians 3:18), but will be complete in the final result (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2). [source]
Comp. Luke 1:47; Judges 1:25. oP. Six times in the Pastorals. Used of both God and Christ (see Titus 1:3, Titus 1:4; Titus 2:10, Titus 2:13; Titus 3:4, Titus 3:6). The saving of men appears as God's direct will and act, 1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9as Christ's work, 1 Timothy 1:15, comp. 2 Timothy 2:10. In lxx σωτὴρ occurs twenty times, and in all but two instances, of God. [source]
Comp. 2 Timothy 1:3, 2 Timothy 1:5, 19. Const. with holding. The emphasis of the passage is on these words. They express conscientious purity and sincerity in contrast with those who are described as branded in their own conscience, and thus causing their followers to fall away from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:2). The passage illustrates the peculiar treatment of “faith” in these Epistles, in emphasizing its ethical aspect and its ethical environment. This is not contrary to Paul's teaching, nor does it go to the extent of substituting morals for faith as the condition of salvation and eternal life. See 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:1; Titus 3:5. Nonetheless, there is a strong and habitual emphasis on good works (see 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7, Titus 2:14; Titus 3:1, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14), and faith is placed in a series of practical duties (see 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Timothy 3:10). “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” is a significant association of faith with ethics. As Weiss puts it: “It is as if the pure conscience were the vessel in which the mystery of the faith is preserved.” The idea is sound and valuable. A merely intellectual attitude toward the mystery which, in every age, attaches to the faith, will result in doubt, questioning, and wordy strife (see 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9), sometimes in moral laxity, sometimes in despair. Loyalty and duty to God are compatible with more or less ignorance concerning the mystery. An intellect, however powerful and active, joined with an impure conscience, cannot solve but only aggravates the mystery; whereas a pure and loyal conscience, and a frank acceptance of imposed duty along with mystery, puts one in the best attitude for attaining whatever solution is possible. See John 7:17. [source]
Also typological. Most, expositors refer to baptism. The most significant passage in that direction is 1 Peter 3:21; comp. Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5. It may be, though I doubt if the idea is emphasized. I incline, with Dr. Bruce, to think that it indicates generally the thoroughness of the cleansing process undergone by one who surrenders himself, soul, body, and spirit, to God. [source]
Present middle volitive subjunctive as in Hebrews 4:16 with which exhortation the discussion began. There are three exhortations in Hebrews 10:22-25 (Let us draw near, προσερχωμετα proserchōmetha let us hold fast, κατεχωμεν katechōmen let us consider one another, κατανοωμεν αλληλους katanoōmen allēlous). Four items are added to this first exhortation. With a true heart With loyalty and fealty. In fulness of faith See Hebrews 6:11 for this very phrase. Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Perfect passive participle of ραντιζω rantizō with the accusative retained in the passive, an evident allusion to the sprinkling of blood in the old tabernacle (Hebrews 9:18-22) and the shedding of Christ‘s blood for the cleansing of our consciences (Hebrews 10:1-4). Cf. 1 Peter 1:2 for “the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” Our body washed with pure water Perfect passive (or middle) of λουω louō old verb to bathe, to wash. Accusative also retained if passive. υδατι Hudati can be either locative (in) or instrumental (with). See Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5 for the use of λουτρον loutron If the reference here is to baptism (quite doubtful), the meaning is a symbol (Dods) of the previous cleansing by the blood of Christ. [source]
This precise language in 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; and part of it in 2 Corinthians 11:31; Romans 15:6. See John 20:17 for similar language by Jesus.Great (πολυ polu). Much.Begat us again First aorist active articular The Stoics used αναγεννησις anagennēsis for παλινγενεσια palingenesia (Titus 3:5). If ανωτεν anōthen in John 3:3 be taken to mean “again,” the same idea of regeneration is there, and if “from above” it is the new birth, anyhow.Unto a living hope (εις ελπιδα ζωσαν eis elpida zōsan). Peter is fond of the word “living” (present active participle of ζαω zaō) as in 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 4:5, 1 Peter 4:6. The Pharisees cherished the hope of the resurrection (Acts 23:6), but the resurrection of Jesus gave it proof and permanence (1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:17). It is no longer a dead hope like dead faith (James 2:17, James 2:26). This revival of hope was wrought “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (δια αναστασεως dia anastaseōs). Hope rose up with Christ from the dead, though the disciples (Peter included) were slow at first to believe it. [source]
First aorist active articular The Stoics used αναγεννησις anagennēsis for παλινγενεσια palingenesia (Titus 3:5). If ανωτεν anōthen in John 3:3 be taken to mean “again,” the same idea of regeneration is there, and if “from above” it is the new birth, anyhow.Unto a living hope (εις ελπιδα ζωσαν eis elpida zōsan). Peter is fond of the word “living” (present active participle of ζαω zaō) as in 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 4:5, 1 Peter 4:6. The Pharisees cherished the hope of the resurrection (Acts 23:6), but the resurrection of Jesus gave it proof and permanence (1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:17). It is no longer a dead hope like dead faith (James 2:17, James 2:26). This revival of hope was wrought “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (δια αναστασεως dia anastaseōs). Hope rose up with Christ from the dead, though the disciples (Peter included) were slow at first to believe it. [source]
Read λύσαντι loosedTrench remarks on the variation of readings as having grown out of a play on the words λουτρόν , a bathing, and λύτρον aransom, both of which express the central benefits which redound to us through the sacrifice and death of Christ. He refers to this play upon words as involved in the etymology of the name Apollo as given by Plato; viz., the washer ( ὁ ἀπολούων ) and the absolver ( ὁ ἀπολύων ) from all impurities. Either reading falls in with a beautiful circle of imagery. If washed, compare Psalm 51:2; Isaiah 1:16, Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 36:25; Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5. If loosed, compare Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:18; Hebrews 9:12; Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3, Revelation 14:4. [source]