For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
What does Titus 3:3 mean?
Spiritual privileges do not make void or weaken, but confirm civil duties. Mere good words and good meanings are not enough without good works.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Titus 3:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Titus 3:3
For we ourselves - We who are Christians. There is no reason for supposing, as Benson does, that this is to be understood as confined to Paul himself. There are some things mentioned here which were not probably true of him before his conversion, and the connection does not require us to suppose that he referred particularly to himself. He is stating a reason why those to whom Titus was appointed to preach should be urged to lead holy lives, and especially to manifest a spirit of order, peace, kindness, and due subordination to law.
Key words
- ourselves
-
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,.
- sometimes
-
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,.
- foolish
-
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,.
Context in Titus 3
Show chapter context
Titus 3 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as grace, good works, and final instructions. Titus is a compact pastoral letter about elders, sound teaching, good works, and the gracious training of the Christian life. Read this chapter with the wider themes of good works, grace, and order in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Passages on godly leadership, servant leadership, the responsibilities of leaders, and examples of leadership in Scripture.