You’ve attended church your whole life.
You volunteer regularly. You give generously.
You’ve probably read the Bible cover to cover three times.
And I bet you pray daily. You’ve shared your faith with neighbors.
Surely God will accept you because of all you’ve done for Him.
This is exactly the mindset Paul shatters in a single verse.
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5 (NIV)
This verse stands as one of Scripture’s clearest declarations that salvation comes through God’s mercy, not human merit.
Understanding what Paul means here can transform how you view your relationship with God, your assurance of salvation, and your motivation for obedience.
The Context: What We Were
To understand verse 5, we must read verse 3.
Paul reminds Titus and the Cretan believers of their former condition: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” (ESV).
Paul includes himself in this description. “We ourselves” encompasses everyone, not just particularly wicked people. Before Christ, believers were foolish (lacking spiritual wisdom), disobedient (rebelling against God), deceived (believing lies about sin and God), enslaved (controlled by desires and passions), and hateful (living in malice and envy).
This isn’t a description of serial killers or terrorists. This is the spiritual resume of religious, moral people apart from Christ.
The Message paraphrase captures it vividly: “It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back.”
Paul establishes this dark picture intentionally. The worse our condition, the more stunning God’s salvation.
The more helpless we are, the clearer it becomes that salvation must be God’s work, not ours.
Not by Works of Righteousness
The NASB translates verse 5: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy.”
The NKJV reads: “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”
The CSB says: “not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.”
What does “works of righteousness” mean? These aren’t just bad works or sinful actions.
Paul specifically says “works of righteousness “works done according to God’s righteous law, works done in obedience to His commands, even works done from right principles, in faith, with a view to God’s glory.
In other words, Paul isn’t just saying God doesn’t save us based on our sins.
He’s saying God doesn’t save us based on our good works either.
Even our best works, our most righteous deeds, our most sincere obedience cannot earn salvation.
Why not?
Because salvation requires perfection. James 2:10 explains: “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (ESV).
Romans 3:23 declares: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (ESV).
One sin disqualifies. Every human, no matter how righteous they appear, falls short.
Paul makes this point throughout his letters.
Ephesians 2:8-9 states: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (ESV).
Romans 3:20 declares: “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight” (ESV).
Galatians 2:16 emphasizes: “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (ESV).
If salvation depended on our works, no one would be saved.
Our best efforts are “like filthy rags” before God’s perfect holiness (Isaiah 64:6).
We need a salvation that comes from outside ourselves, based on something other than our performance.
According to His Mercy
The verse pivots on a single word: “but.”
We’re not saved by our works, BUT we are saved according to God’s mercy.
The Amplified Bible expands: “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy.”
The Greek word for mercy is eleos, which refers to compassion, pity, and kindness toward someone in distress.
God’s mercy is His compassionate response to our helpless condition. We couldn’t save ourselves. We were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1).
God saw our misery and moved with compassion.
Mercy means not getting what we deserve. Justice would give us judgment. Mercy gives us salvation instead.
The NLT captures this: “He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy.”
God’s mercy is sovereign and free, extended according to His will, not based on anything in us that deserves it.
This mercy isn’t small or reluctant.
Ephesians 2:4 calls God “rich in mercy.” His mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). First Peter 1:3 speaks of His “great mercy.”
The Washing of Regeneration
Paul explains how God saves: “through the washing of rebirth” (NIV), “by the washing of regeneration” (NKJV), “through the washing of the new birth” (NET). The CEV simplifies: “He saved us by washing away our sins.”
The Greek word loutron literally means “bath” or “washing.”
It refers to spiritual cleansing that removes sin’s defilement.
The only other New Testament use is Ephesians 5:26, which speaks of Christ cleansing the church “by the washing of water with the word.”
“Regeneration” translates the Greek palingenesia, a compound word from palin (again) and genesis (birth). It means to be born again, to experience new birth.
This is the same concept Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:3-7: “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (ESV).
Regeneration isn’t reformation or self-improvement. It’s not trying harder or turning over a new leaf.
It’s a radical transformation where God imparts new spiritual life to someone who was spiritually dead.
Second Corinthians 5:17 describes the result: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (ESV).
This washing and regeneration happens at the moment of salvation.
It’s not a process you complete over time. When you trust Christ, God instantly cleanses you from sin and imparts new life. You become a new person at the moment of faith.
The Renewing of the Holy Spirit
Paul adds another dimension: “and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (NIV), “and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (KJV), “and the renewing of the Holy Spirit” (NASB). The Amplified Bible expands: “and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
The Greek anakainosis means “renewal” or “renovation,” but not in the sense of improving something old. Rather, it refers to the ongoing work of making new, refreshing, revitalizing. While regeneration happens once at salvation, renewal continues throughout the Christian life.
Romans 12:2 uses a related word: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (ESV). The Holy Spirit continually renews believers, conforming them progressively to Christ’s image. This is sanctification, the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus.
Notice the agent of both washing and renewal: the Holy Spirit. Salvation is completely God’s work. The Father initiates salvation in mercy. The Son accomplishes salvation through His death and resurrection. The Spirit applies salvation, regenerating and renewing believers. We contribute nothing.
Why This Matters Profoundly
Understanding Titus 3:5 transforms several crucial areas:
It destroys pride. If salvation depends on God’s mercy rather than our works, we have nothing to boast about. We’re all beggars who received undeserved grace.
It produces assurance. If salvation depended on our works, we could never be sure we’d done enough. But if it depends on God’s mercy, we can be confident. First John 5:13 promises: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (ESV).
It motivates genuine obedience. We don’t obey to earn salvation but because we’ve received it. Gratitude, not fear, becomes our motivation. Grace trains us to holiness (Titus 2:11-12).
It humbles us toward unbelievers. We were once just as lost as anyone. We didn’t save ourselves. This should produce compassion toward the lost, not condemnation.
It magnifies God’s glory. When salvation comes through mercy not works, God receives all the credit. Ephesians 2:7 explains God saves us “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace” (ESV).
Common Misunderstandings
Several common errors need correction:
“This means good works don’t matter.” Wrong. While works don’t save us, saved people do good works. Ephesians 2:10 states: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (ESV). Works don’t produce salvation, but salvation produces works.
“If I sin after salvation, I lose it.” No. Salvation doesn’t depend on your performance. It depends on God’s mercy. First John 1:9 promises forgiveness when believers confess sin.
“I must do something to activate God’s mercy.” Salvation requires faith, but even faith is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8). Faith itself is part of His merciful salvation.
“Some people are too sinful for God’s mercy.” False. Paul calls himself the “foremost” of sinners yet received mercy (1 Timothy 1:15-16). No one is beyond God’s mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions
If salvation isn’t by works, what is baptism’s role?
Baptism is an act of obedience following salvation, not a work that earns salvation. It’s the outward expression of inward faith, publicly identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection. Water baptism doesn’t regenerate; the Holy Spirit does. Baptism testifies to regeneration that has already occurred through faith.
Does this verse teach we should stop doing good works?
Absolutely not. The verse says works don’t save us, not that saved people don’t do works. Genuine faith always produces works (James 2:17). We do good works out of gratitude for salvation, not to earn it. Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the root.
Can I lose salvation if I don’t maintain good works?
No. Salvation depends on God’s mercy, not your maintenance. True believers persevere not by their own strength but by God’s keeping power. Philippians 1:6 promises: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (ESV). God finishes what He starts.
What if I feel like my works should count for something?
That feeling comes from pride. We naturally want credit for our efforts. But salvation requires recognizing our complete inability and God’s complete sufficiency. Until you stop trusting your works and trust only His mercy, you cannot be saved. Romans 4:5 states: “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (ESV).
How can I know if I truly have this salvation?
First John 5:11-13 explains: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (ESV). Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior? If yes, you have eternal life because God’s promise is certain.
Prayer for Grateful Hearts
Merciful Father, I confess that apart from You, I was foolish, disobedient, enslaved to sin, and deserving only judgment. Thank You for not treating me as my sins deserve. Thank You for saving me not based on my works but according to Your boundless mercy. Thank You for washing me clean through regeneration and renewing me daily by Your Holy Spirit. Help me never take Your mercy for granted or return to trusting in my own righteousness. May my life overflow with good works, not to earn Your favor but to express my gratitude for the salvation You’ve freely given. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Recommended Reading and Resources
BibleRef.com. (n.d.). What does Titus 3:5 mean? [Biblical commentary]
Bible Study Tools. (n.d.). Titus 3:5 – He saved us not by righteous things we had done. [Verse exposition]
GotQuestions.org. (2022). What is the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5)? [Doctrinal study]
His Word Today. (2022). Titus: The washing of regeneration. [Theological article]
Institute for Creation Research. (n.d.). The washing of regeneration. [Biblical study]
MacArthur, J. (2007). Titus: Moody Press. Moody Publishers. [Biblical commentary]
McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary series: Titus. Thomas Nelson. [Devotional commentary]
Precept Austin. (n.d.). Titus 3:5 commentary. [Verse-by-verse exposition]
Precept Austin. (n.d.). Regeneration: New birth. [Theological study]
Yarbrough, R. (2018). The letters to Timothy and Titus: Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans. [Scholarly commentary]
