Titus 3:8

King James Version (KJV)

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

This is a faithful saying - Πιστος ὁ λογος· This is the true doctrine; the doctrine that cannot fail.

And these things I will - Και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι· And I will, or desire, thee to maintain earnestly what concerns these points. The things to which the apostle refers are those of which he had just been writing, and may be thus summed up: -

The ruined state of man, both in soul and body.

The infinite goodness of God which devised his salvation.

The manifestation of this goodness, by the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The justification which they who believed received through his blood.

The mission of the Holy Spirit, and the purification of the heart by his influence.

The hope of the resurrection of the body, and the final glorification of both it and the soul through all eternity.

The necessity of obedience to the will of God, and of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they had been called.

And all these points he wills him to press continually on the attention of believers; and to keep constantly in view, that all good comes from God's infinite kindness, by and through Christ Jesus.

They which have believed in God -

All Christians; for who can maintain good works but those who have the principle from which good works flow, for without faith it is impossible to please God.

These things are good and profitable - They are good in themselves, and calculated to promote the well-being of men.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

This is a faithful saying - See the notes at 1 Timothy 1:15. The reference here is to what he had been just saying, meaning that the doctrine which he had stated about the method of salvation was in the highest degree important, and entirely worthy of belief.

And these things I will that thou affirm constantly - Make them the constant subject of your preaching. “That they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” This shows that Paul supposed that the doctrines of the gospel were fitted to lead people to holy living; compare Titus 3:1, and the notes at Philemon 4:8. The “good works” here refer not merely to acts of benevolence and charity, but to all that is upright and good - to an honest and holy life.

These things are good and profitable unto men - That is, these doctrines which he had stated were not mere matters of speculation, but they were fitted to promote human happiness, and they should be constantly taught.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

8. Faithful. Or, “trustworthy” (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11). Paul refers to the statements in Titus 3:4-7 concerning God’s gracious salvation.

These things. The simple but ever-satisfying story of God’s matchless love imparts new wonder and courage each time it is retold. Although sincere Christians are steadily maturing in character development, the constant reminder of God’s justifying and sanctifying love provides daily peace and encouragement. Paul’s outline of the plan of salvation (vs. 4-7) will never be fully appreciated by Christians in this life. Consequently, constant rehearsals of the truth concerning the nature of God will reveal treasures both old and new. These new insights provide added incentive to hasten the restoration of God’s image.

They which have believed. The Greek implies the additional thought, “and still believe.” Daily eating of the bread of life will maintain the fervent spirit of the genuine Christian. The Scriptures declare that those who are satisfied with only the elementary facts of the gospel soon cease to be useful to the Christian church. Their lives are stagnant because their minds are dormant. Because of their dullness “of hearing,” as time passes by, such people are unprepared for the forward movement of God’s Spirit (see on Heb. 5:11 to 6:1).

Maintain. Literally, “take the lead in.”

Good works. See on Gal. 5:22, 23.

Profitable unto men. That is, the program of instruction Paul has outlined in this epistle. The “vain talkers and deceivers” (ch. 1:10) who had endeavored to lead astray the Cretan church designed their teachings to favor the natural impulses of the church members, with a view to monetary advantage (v. 11). Paul, however, was interested solely in their character transformation (see on ch. 2:1-10). Paul’s gospel disturbed the Cretans, as it did others elsewhere, but it was this very disturbance that led men to examine themselves and to appropriate the cleansing mercy and restoring grace of God (see on chs. 2:14; 3:5).

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Ellen G. White
The Sanctified Life, 87

He bids Titus instruct the church that while they should trust to the merits of Christ for salvation, divine grace, dwelling in their hearts, will lead to the faithful performance of all the duties of life. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.... This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:1-8). SL 87.1

Paul seeks to impress upon our minds the fact that the foundation of all acceptable service to God, as well as the very crown of the Christian graces, is love; and that only in the soul where love reigns will the peace of God abide. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above put all these things on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:12-17). SL 87.2

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Ellen G. White
The Faith I Live By, 143.3

Christ as the head of humanity was to take the same steps that we are required to take. Although sinless, He was our example in fulfilling all the requirements for the redemption of the sinful race. He bore the sins of the whole world. His baptism was to embrace the whole sinful world who by repentance and faith would be pardoned. “After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:4-8. Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. FLB 143.3

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Ellen G. White
That I May Know Him, 321.5

He would have every individual sense his responsibility to so use his precious time here in this world that it will be fruitful daily in good works. This is the only worthy aim of every living mortal—to employ his God-given faculties with endless results in view.¹⁴ TMK 321.5

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Cross References

a faithful

that thou

which