The Grace of God Has Appeared
Titus and Christmas
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
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The whole letter, in shortThe main points of the whole letter, in a few sentences.
Paul writes to Titus that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone and teaching us to live godly lives as we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. When God's kindness and love appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous deeds we had done, but by his mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Where it is in the Bible: Titus 2:11-14 and 3:4-7
All the sections at a glanceA map of the letter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Grace Has Appeared | 2:11-12 | God's grace brings salvation and teaches us |
| 2. The Blessed Hope | 2:13-14 | We wait for Jesus, who gave himself for us |
| 3. Kindness and Love Appeared | 3:4-5 | God saved us by his mercy |
| 4. Heirs of Hope | 3:6-7 | Justified by grace, we have eternal life |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this short letter to Titus, a younger coworker he left on the island of Crete to lead the churches there (1:5).
What was happening. The churches in Crete were new. Titus needed to appoint leaders and teach people how to live as Christians (1:5, 2:1).
What this passage is. Two short passages that the church reads at Christmas. Each one says God's grace and kindness "appeared." That's what Christmas is: God showing up.
How to read it. Look for what God did, and what that means for how we live.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Grace Has Appeared
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone" (2:11).
Grace is God's undeserved love. It "appeared" when Jesus was born.
That grace teaches us to say no to wrong and to live wise, good, and godly lives right now.
Section 2 of 4The Blessed Hope
We wait for "the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2:13).
Jesus appeared once as a baby. He will appear again in glory.
"He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (2:14).
Zealous means eager and full of energy.
Section 3 of 4Kindness and Love Appeared
"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy" (3:4-5).
God saved us "through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (3:5).
The washing of new birth is baptism.
Section 4 of 4Heirs of Hope
God poured out his Spirit on us generously through Jesus.
"So that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life" (3:7).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "The grace of God has appeared" (2:11) | In Jesus, God's love came into the world. |
| "Bringing salvation to everyone" (2:11) | God's grace is for all people. |
| "The blessed hope" (2:13) | Jesus will come again. |
| "Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2:13) | Jesus is God. |
| "Not by the righteous deeds we had done" (3:5) | We are saved by mercy, not by being good. |
| "The washing of new birth" (3:5) | Baptism, where God makes us new. |
| "Heirs with the hope of eternal life" (3:7) | Eternal life is ours as God's children. |
Back Then
Crete is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Greece.
Titus was a Greek who became a Christian and traveled with Paul (Galatians 2:1-3).
These verses are read at Christmas because they say God's grace and kindness "appeared."
Literal Reader Alert
Does grace mean we can do whatever we want? No. Paul says grace teaches us to live godly lives. Grace changes us.
Is baptism just a symbol? Lutherans believe baptism is God's work, a washing where he gives new birth and the Holy Spirit, as Titus says.
What does "justified" mean? Declared right with God.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Believers | Hopeful | They wait for the blessed hope (2:13) |
| Believers | Grateful | God saved them by his mercy (3:5) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does Christmas mean to you? Tap one.
Grace appeared
God's love showed up in a baby, for everyone.
Mercy
God saved you, not because of what you did.
New birth
In baptism, God washed you and made you new.
Waiting
Jesus will appear again. That's our blessed hope.
You Might Have Heard
"God saves good people."
What's true: God wants us to do good.
What the passage is mainly about: "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy" (3:5). Christmas is God's kindness appearing for people who didn't deserve it.
Where Jesus is: Born at Christmas, given for us, coming again in glory.
Good News
God's grace appeared. It came as a baby in Bethlehem.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone" (2:11).
God saved us by his mercy, washed us in baptism, and made us heirs of eternal life.
The grace of God has appeared in Jesus. He saved us not because of our good deeds, but by his mercy, through the washing of new birth.
Big Idea
The grace and kindness of God appeared in Jesus. He saved us not by our good deeds but by his mercy, and we wait for his glorious return.
If this letter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther quotes Titus 3:5-8 to explain how baptism gives new birth. He says it is not the water alone, but God's word with the water, and faith that trusts it.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Titus 2:11-14 on Christmas Eve and Titus 3:4-7 on Christmas Day, in all three years.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
How did that feel?
You finished The Grace of God Has Appeared.
Using this at church
Read in church on
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Grace of God Has Appeared, explained in plain words. Two short passages read at Christmas: God's grace and kindness appeared. About 6 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-grace-of-god-has-appeared/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church