Matthew Henry Commentary Titus 3

Spiritual privileges do not invalidate or weaken, but confirm civil duties. Mere good words and good intentions are not enough without good works. They were not to be quarrelsome, but to show meekness on all occasions, not only toward friends, but to all people, though with wisdom (James 3:13). And let this text teach us how wrong it is for a Christian to be rude to the worst, weakest, and most degraded. The servants of sin have many masters; their lusts hurry them in different directions, pride commanding one thing, covetousness another.

Thus they are hateful, deserving of hatred. It is the misery of sinners that they hate one another, and it is the duty and happiness of saints to love one another. And we are delivered out of our miserable condition only by the mercy and free grace of God, the merit and sufferings of Christ, and the working of His Spirit. God the Father is God our Savior.

He is the fountain from which the Holy Spirit flows to teach, regenerate, and save His fallen creatures; and this blessing comes to mankind through Christ. Its source and origin are the kindness and love of God to humanity. Love and grace, through the Spirit, have great power to change and turn the heart to God. Works must be present in the saved but are not among the causes of their salvation.

A new principle of grace and holiness is produced, which influences, governs, and makes a person a new creature. Most claim they want heaven in the end, yet they do not care for holiness now; they want the end without the beginning. Here is its outward sign and seal in baptism, therefore called the washing of regeneration. The work is inward and spiritual; this is outwardly signified and sealed in this ordinance.

Do not neglect this outward sign and seal; yet do not rest in the outward washing, but look to the answer of a good conscience, without which the outward washing will be of no avail. The worker in this is the Spirit of God; it is the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Through Him we mortify sin, perform duty, and walk in God's ways; all the working of the Divine life in us, and the outward fruits of righteousness, are through this blessed and Holy Spirit. The Spirit and His saving gifts and graces come through Christ as a Savior, whose mission and work are to bring us to grace and glory.

Justification, in the gospel sense, is the free forgiveness of a sinner, accepting him as righteous through the righteousness of Christ received by faith. God, in justifying a sinner in the way of the gospel, is gracious to him, yet just to Himself and His law. As forgiveness is through a perfect righteousness, and satisfaction is made to justice by Christ, it cannot be merited by the sinner himself.

Eternal life is set before us in the promise; the Spirit works faith in us, and hope for that life; faith and hope bring it near and fill us with joy in expectation of it.

When the grace of God toward humanity has been declared, the necessity of good works is emphasized. Those who believe in God must be careful to maintain good works, seeking opportunities to do them, being influenced by love and gratitude.

Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, as well as subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager for novelties, but rather love sound doctrine, which is most edifying. Though we may now think some sins are light and little, if the Lord awakens the conscience, we will feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its followers must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well as keeping away from evil. Let “ours” pursue some honest labour and employment, to provide for themselves and their families.

Christianity obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and in that calling to abide with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard and fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with their fruits and effects, according to need; and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your souls.

This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection for them and his desire for their good, and it would be a means for them to obtain what was requested and for it to be bestowed upon them. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and prayed for, concerning ourselves or others; it is “all good.”