D. Scott Meadows
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 (Tit 3.8).
πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες τῷ Θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστι τὰ καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις·
Surprisingly, justification by faith alone (sola fide) is the greatest stimulus to good works. The same apostle who wrote that “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,” hastens to add that it was “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit 3.5). He tells Christians that we are “justified by his grace,” and that this was in order to our becoming “heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (v. 7), even endless fellowship with God in the new creation.
These thoughts pave the way for the grand statement of our text about “good works,” a phrase that occurs 16 times in Scripture (Matt 5.16; John 10.32; Acts 9.36; Rom 13.3; Eph 2.10; 1 Tim 2.10; 5.10, 25; 6.18; 2 Tim 3:17; Tit 2.7, 14; 3.8, 14; Heb 10.24; 1 Pet 2.12), the thing itself always warmly praised. Careful reflection on each of these verses is most instructive.
Everyone knows that “good works” means praiseworthy deeds, but biblical theology greatly enriches our understanding. A whole chapter (XVI) is devoted to the subject in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, which we also commend to your study. From it we may piece together this more complete theological definition of good works:
Good works are only such deeds as God has commanded in His Word, proceeding from a regenerate heart, performed by the power of the Holy Spirit alone, done in a right manner according to the Word, and to a right end, the glory of God, and therefore, good works can only be done by true Christians.
When proud unbelievers stand before Christ on Judgment Day, they will be horrified to discover that all their “righteousnesses” are as “filthy rags” in His sight (Isa 64.6), and that their whole lives are judged to be so much sin, justifying their condemnation to eternal torments. Humble believers, having judged themselves in this age as morally bankrupt, will not be condemned with the arrogant in the age to come (1 Cor 11.31-32). They will express delightful surprise (Matt 25.34-40) when they receive great and eternal rewards according to their good works (Matt 16.27; Rev 22.12, 14).
Titus 3.8 sets forth several important aspects of the biblical doctrine of good works which we may consider under three heads.
Foundation
The “faithful [trustworthy] saying” looks back rather than forward according to “the virtually unanimous opinion of commentators” (Knight, NIGTC), namely, at least to the doctrine of justification by free grace in verses 4-7. “I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works” (ESV). It is by constantly affirming sola fide that the Christian preacher will inspire believing hearers to good works. Dabney ends “The Moral Effects of a Free Justification” (Discussions, Vol. 1) this way:
Now, then, if grace does beget evangelical love in the believer’s heart [it does], we have in it a principle of new obedience as much more permanent and powerful as it is purer than the mercenary selfishness of the legalist. But this is just what the gospel promises and effects. When the penitent beholds the divine compassion flowing in the redeeming blood of his Saviour, and comprehends the freeness and vastness of the love of redemption, he learns that most potent of all motives, “The love of Christ constraineth us.” We may righteously join in the indignant reply:
“Talk they of morals? O thou bleeding Lamb, The great morality is love to thee!” The Bible doctrine of gratuitous justification . . . is the best, yea, the only adequate enforcement of true holiness.
Maintenance
This explains why Paul directs Titus and all gospel preachers, with respect to good works, to exhort in particular “they who have believed in God.” It is pointless, and spiritually dangerous besides, to give unbelievers the impression that they can do good works before they become Christians. Only the gospel quickens sinners to good works.
However, believers must be stimulated to maintain good works, and to excel in them. While regeneration makes the heart spiritually alive, good works are not automatic. Regeneration makes exhortation effective. Paul exhorts Christians to “work out . . . salvation with fear and trembling,” because it is God who works in them “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil 2.12-13). Local church preaching is critical to this end.
Praise
“These things” probably refers broadly to the truths just explained about free justification and its relation to good works. “Good and profitable” describes these truths’ intrinsic excellence and practical usefulness. They glorify God and help people. This is the highest commendation. This biblical gospel of Jesus Christ uniquely promotes true worship and human well-being. Sola fide preserves the full credit of our salvation for God alone and transforms believers to be more and more like the benevolent Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.