Titus 3:5

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to Titus, his delegate in Crete, in the theological center of the letter where he states the ground of salvation before turning to ethical instruction.

The words — ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ (en dikaiosunē, "in righteousness") modifies the excluded works: it is not merely "works" that are set aside, but specifically works done in righteousness, closing off the strongest possible human claim.

The thread — Paul repeats the same formula in Ephesians 2:8-9 and 2 Timothy 1:9, and 1 Corinthians 6:11 uses the washing language as a past-tense marker of conversion.

Why it lands — It removes the reader's own moral performance from the equation of salvation, leaving nothing to add to or subtract from what God has done.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Cross-references

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Ephesians 5:26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
Romans 11:6 And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.