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Christmas Season · Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Dawn Proper 2 · Year B

Titus 3:4-7

Doing What is Good

December 25, 2026

The Baptism of Christ, Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci
The Baptism of Christ, Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1475Uffizi Gallery, Florence
The water poured over his head in a clear Tuscan river, with two angels waiting at the bank holding the clothes.He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da VinciVerrocchio, with the young Leonardo painting the angel on the left and, it was said, making his master give up.Uffizi Gallery, FlorenceThe Uffizi, Florence.Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:(1-7), 8-20Lk 2:(1-7), 8-20
EpistleTitus 3:4-7Ti 3:4-7
Old TestamentIsa. 62:6-12Is 62:6-12
PsalterPs. 97Ps 97

Overview & Insights

“He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)

After a brief exhortation to Titus (2:15) to “teach these things” (at least 2:1–14), Paul returns in this section to the major concern of the letter—“good works” (i.e., genuinely Christian behavior) for the sake of the outsider (3:1–8) and in contrast to the false teachers (3:9–11).

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Commentary

Titus 3:4-7Ti 3:4-7 Working Preacher

A commentary drawing out how the appearing of God's goodness and loving-kindness, the Spirit, and adoption as heirs speak to Christmas.

Titus 3Ti 3 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching archive for Titus 3, exploring salvation not by works but by God's mercy and the washing of rebirth.

Titus 3Ti 3 Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

A Catholic scripture resource collecting reflections on Titus 3 and its language of God our Savior appearing in kindness.

Titus 3Ti 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An evangelical verse-by-verse study careful on justification by grace and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Classic commentaries on Titus 3Classic commentaries on Ti 3 BibleHub

A classic aggregator stacking public-domain commentators on Titus 3:4 verse by verse.

Background & Word Study

Titus 3Ti 3 Enter the Bible

Background notes on Titus, its Cretan setting, and the pastoral shape of the letter's gospel summary.

Overview: TitusOverview: Ti BibleProject

An animated overview showing how grace transforms a community, the frame around 3:4-7's baptismal gospel.

The Church Fathers

Titus 3, patristic commentaryTi 3, patristic commentary Catena

A patristic catena on rebirth, renewal by the Spirit, and becoming heirs of eternal life.

Questions preachers ask

What is the good news of Titus 3?

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us not because of our works but according to his mercy, that we might become heirs of eternal life.

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