The Grace of God has Appeared!
Titus 2:11-15
We were lowly in our sin; he became lowly to wash away that sin. He shall return in glory as our great God; we shall reflect that glory as those belonging to him.
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#grace
#training
#godliness
Published November 29th, 2015; Updated May 18th, 2016
Roots and Relationship
Phrase
Roots and Relationship
There are two great functions with which the grace of God has appeared in the coming of Jesus (Titus 3:4-6). The first way this grace is manifest is in saving his people from their sin—that is, justifying them by his grace (Titus 3:7). This revelation of the grace of God is at the heart of God's plan and lies deep in the hearts of all who love the gospel. But the second way God's grace has appeared to us is no less significant. Jesus has appeared to "train us" in godliness. This is not an addition needed to complete our justification, but something different altogether—a training that draws strength from rich roots and revolves around a relationship. The roots of our godliness are the goodness and loving kindness of God. Growing knowledge and comprehension of God's merciful salvation which washed us new through the Spirit's inner-work and the Son's precious purchase is what feeds our flourishing in godliness. Put another way, it is God's eternal life instilled in our roots which makes our leaves green with good works (Titus 3:4-8). Our training also revolves around a relationship. Our godly living is not an end in and of itself, but rather shows we are awaiting Someone worthy of such a reception. The grace of God has appeared, and will appear again in glory. Jesus' first coming was lowly, but his second will shine. So too are his people to be transformed. We were lowly in our sin; he became lowly to wash away that sin. He shall return in glory as our great God; we shall reflect that glory as those belonging to him. That reflection begins now in our hearts and will one day envelop us altogether. Now we are trained in godliness; then we shall shine like the sun (Matthew 13:43).
notes
Phrase
NT
Titus 2:11-15
esv
The Grace of God has Appeared
For the grace ... has appeared,
of God
Source
bringing salvation
Manner #1
for all people,
Advantage
training us
Manner #2
to renounce ungodliness
Content #1
and worldly passions,
and to live self- controlled,
Content #2
upright,
and godly lives
in the present age,
Temporal
waiting
Manner
for our blessed hope,
Content
the appearing
Explanation
of the glory
Subjective
of our great God
and Savior
Jesus Christ,
who gave himself
for us
to redeem us
Purpose #1
from all lawlessness
Separation
and to purify ... a people
Purpose #2
for himself
for his own possession
Purpose
who are zealous
for good works.
Context
Declare this!
Declare these things;
exhort
and rebuke
with all authority.
Manner of 15a-c
Let no one disregard you.
Ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις
παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι,
προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,
ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων.
Ταῦτα λάλει καὶ παρακάλει καὶ ἔλεγχε μετὰ πάσης ἐπιταγῆς• μηδείς σου περιφρονείτω.
Ὑπομίμνῃσκε αὐτοὺς ἀρχαῖς ἐξουσίαις ὑποτάσσεσθαι, πειθαρχεῖν, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἑτοίμους εἶναι,
μηδένα βλασφημεῖν, ἀμάχους εἶναι, ἐπιεικεῖς, πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους πραΰτητα πρὸς πάντας ἀνθρώπους.
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