Titus 3:7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Original Language Analysis
δικαιωθέντες
being justified by
G1344
δικαιωθέντες
being justified by
Strong's:
G1344
Word #:
2 of 11
to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκείνου
his
G1565
ἐκείνου
his
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
4 of 11
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
χάριτι
grace
G5485
χάριτι
grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
5 of 11
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
κληρονόμοι
heirs
G2818
κληρονόμοι
heirs
Strong's:
G2818
Word #:
6 of 11
a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor
γενώμεθα
we should be made
G1096
γενώμεθα
we should be made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
7 of 11
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
κατ'
according to
G2596
κατ'
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
8 of 11
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
Romans 8:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Romans 3:24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Titus 2:11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,James 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?Romans 11:6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Romans 3:28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Historical Context
Justification by grace through faith is Paul's central theological contribution, developed in Romans and Galatians, assumed here. The heir metaphor reflects Roman law: adopted sons received full inheritance rights equal to natural-born sons (Galatians 4:1-7, Romans 8:17). Christians are adopted heirs of God's kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you understand justification as God's legal declaration of your righteousness based on Christ's work, not progressive improvement?
- How does being an heir of eternal life (possessing it legally though not yet experientially) affect your present suffering and patience?
- In what ways do you functionally deny justification by grace, adding performance-based elements to your assurance?
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Analysis & Commentary
That being justified by his grace—ἵνα δικαιωθέντες τῇ ἐκείνου χάριτι (hina dikaiōthentes tē ekeinō chariti)—δικαιόω (dikaioō, justify/declare righteous) is forensic: God's legal verdict of "not guilty." τῇ χάριτι (tē chariti, by grace)—instrumental dative: grace is the means. Justification is by grace alone through faith alone (implied from context), not works (v. 5).
We should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (κληρονόμοι γενηθῶμεν κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου, klēronomoi genēthōmen kat elpida zōēs aiōniou)—κληρονόμος (klēronomos, heir) means we inherit what we didn't earn. κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα (kat elpida, according to hope)—we possess legally but await experientially. ζωῆς αἰωνίου (zōēs aiōniou, of eternal life) echoes v. 2—what God promised before time, we inherit through justification.