Titus 3:4

"For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."

Key Reflection

Titus 3:4 paints a vivid picture of human nature as the Apostle Paul understands it, drawing from his own and his readers' past experiences. For the first-century Christians, this description would resonate deeply, as they were once part of the same societal structures that perpetuated such behaviors. The original audience would have recognized themselves in terms of their former lives, acknowledging the prevalence of foolishness, disobedience, deception, and a range of vices like malice, envy, and hatred towards others—traits that characterized not just individuals but whole communities steeped in sin and rebellion against God's will.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. But after that. Gr., when-- ote. The meaning is, that "when the love of God was manifested in the plan of salvation, he saved us from this state by our being washed and purified." The idea is not, that "the love of God appeared" after we had sinned in this way; but that when his mercy was thus displayed we were converted from our sins, and made pure in his sight. The kindness. h crhstothv, --the goodness, or the benignity. The word is rendered goodness and good in Ro 2:4; Ro 3:12; Ro 11:22, thrice; kindness, 2 Co 6:6; Eph 2:7; Col 3:12; Tit 3:4; and gentleness, Ga 5:22. The act of redeeming us was one of great kindness, or goodness. And love of God. Marg., pity.

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