3:5 – Famous verse.  Really works along with 4-6 and we can see the Trinity involved in the salvation experience of every believer.  Vs. 4 – the Grace of God; vs. 5 – the renewing work of the Holy Spirit; and vs. 6 – offered through Jesus Christ.  The washing is done immediately at the moment we believe but the renewing is a life long process beginning when we believe and ending when we reach our inheritance when the final work is complete (Rom. 12:2).  We are saved by Grace and not by works of righteousness.  (Rom. 4:4-5; Gal. 2:15-17; Eph. 2:8-9).

3:7 – “Having been justified” – God’s act of grace by which He pardons a sinner and declares him righteous on account of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is given to us as part of our union with Christ by faith.  We had to first be given the equivalent of God’s righteousness (imputation).  Imputation is the charging to the account of one person something which properly belongs to another.

(Rom. 3:22; 4:11; 9:30-32; 4:4,5).  Because righteousness has been imputed to us, God calls us justified.  This produces reconciliation (Rom. 5:1).  It occurs the moment we put our faith in Christ (Rom. 3:28; 5:1; Gal. 3:24).  Justification does not occur from keeping the Law of Moses (Gal. 2:16).  James 2:21-26 describes justification during our lives. 

“we might become heirs” – We are heirs of eternal life but not actually in possession of it yet, but it should be sure:  John 1:12; Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 3:26-29; Titus 3:5-7; 1John 5:11-12; col. 1:9-14; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 9:15; 1Pet 1:3-5; Eph. 1:14; Rom. 4:9-16

3:8 – Doctrine clearly taught, and accepted by faith, will produce good works in the lives of the hearers.  Right beliefs must result in fruit in the Christian life.   “These things are excellent in themselves as spiritual truth, and as such they are valuable for good and holy living.”

3:9 – “avoid” – compare the idea of “profitable” in verse 8 with “unprofitable” in this verse.  These are vain activities, empty and useless.  These teachings and discussions only promoted arguments and strife.

3:10 – “a heretic” – a person who is quarrelsome and stirs up factions through promotion of erroneous opinions (self-chosen oppinions).  This is a rebellious person trying to raise a following.  Paul instructs Titus to warn a couple of times and then ignore this person (have nothing to do with him).  Too much attention may cause this person to be pushed into prominence.  Having nothing to do with him will allow him to fizzle out on his own and not gain popularity.

He offers a very different  rule of action when the error is not foolish, but vital and fundamental, or where the offense involves immorality (1Cor. 5:1-13; 1Tim. 1:19-20).

3:11 – “Knowing that” – the heretic’s refusal to listen shows Titus what the man really is.   His refusal to heed strong teaching shows that his error is of the heart, as well as of the mind.  He is “perverted” in his thinking and is being twisted or turned out of the right way.  He sins and goes on sinning.  Therefore, he is self-condemned, and by his actions, passes judgement on himself.