For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

The Grace of God appears and teaches. It brings salvation from sin and death and instruction for godly living. The Greek word for “teaching” in Titus 2:12 is paideuó and means “to correct, to chasten, to discipline, to train children.” The word was used for training up a child who was under development. That’s interesting as we consider what Paul was telling Titus to do for local churches. 

The Grace of God brings salvation to people, which is the idea of being born into the family of God. Paul often referred to Christians as children (e.g. Ephesians 4:14; 5:1, 8; Philippians 2;15). Both Paul and Peter described new Christians as babes and encouraged them to grow in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1; 1 Peter 2:2). An important aspect of a baby growing into childhood and adulthood is correction, discipline and training. A young Christian is developing into what God wants them to become – “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). 

Salvation, spiritual birth, is just the beginning. Once a child is born they need to be fed regularly, cared for, discipline and trained to know how to live well in this present world. What Paul emphasized to Titus was that the Grace of God does both very well — bringing salvation and training newborns and young children how to live. 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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