Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Titus 3:7

"that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." — Titus 3:7 (ASV)

“So that” here denotes not only purpose but also result; the aim of salvation has been accomplished. “Having been justified by his grace” records the result of salvation in our past. Sin had brought guilt and condemnation, but when we received Christ as our Savior, we were “justified” (“declared righteous”; GK 1467) and given a standing of acceptance before him. Justification is always the act of the Father, motivated by his grace, his free unmerited favor bestowed on the basis of Christ’s perfect work. This condensed comment assumes knowledge of Paul’s doctrine of justification.

The second stated result comprehends our present standing in relation to the future. “Might become heirs” denotes not just a future prospect but a present reality. As members of God’s family, we now are heirs, but entrance upon our inheritance belongs to the future. Our standing as heirs is in full harmony with “the hope of eternal life” (cf. 1:2). Our present experience of salvation can give us only a tantalizing foretaste of the nature of our future inheritance.