Washing of Regeneration (Titus 3:5), ESV Study Bible, & NLT Study Bible
He saved us – not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5; HCSB)
I have mentioned in previous posts how the study Bibles and commentaries feel compelled to backpedal from plain teachings about baptism. I am studying Titus 3 for a lesson that I will give in a couple of weeks. In my studies I was disappointed to see how the “washing of regeneration” was treated.
ESV Study Bible:
3:5 The transformation described in vv. 3—7 (formerly …but now) is not based on human effort. “We were once enslaved” (v. 3) but he saved us. God must act before salvation occurs. Salvation comes not because of works but by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Some have understood this as saying that baptism (“the washing”) causes salvation. However, in this context human deeds are clearly downplayed (“not because of works”) and the emphasis is on divine action and initiative (“he saved us”). The “washing” described here is the spiritual cleansing, which is outwardly symbolized in baptism.
NLT Study Bible:
3:5 He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth (literally He saved us through the washing of regeneration): See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. - and new life through the Holy Spirit (literally and renewing of the Holy Spirit): This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).
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At least the NLT Study Bible did not feel compelled to back away from the plain teaching of the text, although it does not say much about this washing at all. I think it is clear that the washing of regeneration refers to baptism. What else in the scriptures could be called “washing” that is directly tied to salvation? Only baptism. I am growing frustrated with the ESV Study Bible intention to dismiss every passage about baptism through its notes. Again, I think this swings the pendulum too far to the point of seemingly excluding baptism altogether. Yes, we fight the Roman Catholic concept that baptism apart from faith, belief, and repentance does not save. But let’s not throw baptism in the trash in our effort to fight error. Baptism is described here as the part of the mechanism through which we are saved. I wish the study notes would write more about what the verse means, rather than what the verse does not mean.
By the way, I like the NRSV on this verse. The rendering “water” instead of “washing” gives clarity to the reader that I believe is intended and obvious.
…he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5; NRSV)
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Your Thoughts
8 Comments so far8 Responses to “Washing of Regeneration (Titus 3:5), ESV Study Bible, & NLT Study Bible”
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Robert Jimenez
November 11, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Well the ESVSB was targeted to Reformed Evangelicals. It will have a strong bent in that direction. If you can ignore those areas (like I do), or not if you prefer them. I find the on-line version very useful, so far better than the NLTSB on-line version, but not by much. NLTSB is still in beta mode, so I hope that they make some improvements that will make it better or at least as good as the ESVSB.
Barry
November 13, 2008 at 6:31 am
Sounds like you got a touch of Isogesis….
Brent Kercheville
November 13, 2008 at 10:15 am
I simply desire for commentaries and study Bibles to reveal the interpretative options and let students decide. They can give reasons for why they take a particular position, but give all the options. Don’t just tell me what you believe. Treat me as smart enough to decide for myself.
All in all, both the ESV Study Bible and NLT Study Bible has done well. I just am seeing that the ESV Study Bible does not present the meaning of the text in some places, but tells the student what the text does not mean.
Jim Swindle
November 13, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I believe many people try to link water baptism and salvation too closely, while others try to rip them apart. Will water baptism in itself save me? No, of course not. Is water baptism closely linked with salvation? Of course. It’s a God-given way of expressing faith in Jesus who saves. We must not substitute water baptism for faith in Jesus, and we must not substitute other things (such as walking down an aisle or saying a “sinner’s prayer”) for water baptism.
Now that I’ve probably offended both my Baptist brothers (I link water baptism and salvation too closely) and my Church of Christ brothers (I don’t link water baptism and salvation closely enough), I’ll conclude by adding one more thing: I really appreciate that this blog, though written from a Church of Christ perspective, recognizes what the Lord is doing in other groups. Salvation is in Jesus.
Joe
November 14, 2008 at 9:21 am
I don’t think Brent is writing from a church of Christ perspective at all. May we all diligently study the scriptures as Brent does and not ignore clear as day instructions regarding salvation.
Brent Kercheville
November 14, 2008 at 10:33 am
Jim,
I think I agree with your general assessment of baptism. Baptism is not to be left out of the salvation process. But baptism does not mean that we can be dunked in water without faith, trust, and submission to Jesus and be saved.
I hope to strike that balance in my writings and teachings.
Jim Swindle
November 15, 2008 at 12:05 am
Brent, thank you for your comment and for your desire for balance. Joe, what’s clear as day to one believer may not be at all clear to another. However, as we mature in the faith, we should expect to come closer and closer together as we understand truth better. We must not just harden in our theological positions. God’s grace plus the Spirit’s guidance plus careful study plus correction from others, enables us to see things a bit more clearly, including seeing some places where we were wrong in our earlier interpretation of the Bible.
Joe
November 15, 2008 at 10:38 am
I’ll admit some passages are more difficult than others. This may be one passage that without further study could be interpreted the wrong way.
On the flip side, when Jesus says “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”, He expected everyone who heard the message to understand that.