Good Works as Described in Titus 3

The Bible has numerous critical statements about “works,” particularly “works of the law.” Paul repeatedly emphasizes that we are justified through faith in Christ, not by performing works of the law. Salvation “is not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8, NKJV).

However, “good works” are a different story. According to my search in the ESV, the phrase “good works” (in plural) is used 13 times in the New Testament, with eight of those instances found in the Pastoral Epistles. Without fail, this phrase is used positively and sincerely to describe exemplary Christian actions.

Few chapters in the Bible advocate for good works as persistently as Titus 3. If someone claims that Paul and James disagree on the necessity of good works, direct them to this chapter. Here, we can identify three key aspects of good works: their foundation, their importance, and their definition.

The Foundation of Good Works

William Wilberforce, a well – known advocate for good deeds, once described Christianity as “a scheme… for making the fruits of holiness the effects, not the cause, of our being justified and reconciled.” Good works are the fruit, not the root. To use another analogy, good works are the activities that take place within a house, but they are not the foundation of the house.

This aligns precisely with what Paul writes in Titus 3:8: “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” Notice that it is “those who have believed in God” who are called to engage in good works. Saving faith and good works are not like two separate hands; rather, faith in God serves as the foundation for good works.

Paul isn’t referring to a general belief in God’s existence. Instead, he means a specific faith in God’s loving kindness shown to us through the gospel. Observe how he starts verse 8. Good works are the outcome of Titus “[insisting] on these things.” We emphasize these things so that believers will perform good works. But what are “these things”? What is this “trustworthy saying”? The answer lies in the preceding verses:
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (verses 4–7)
The only message that can reliably produce good works is the one that tells us our own works cannot save us. It may seem counterintuitive, but this is the gospel. If we want a house filled with good works, we must first lay a solid foundation for them.

The Importance of Good Works

Sometimes, those who center their faith on the gospel can be hesitant about emphasizing good works. We might think, “Just preach the gospel, and good works will naturally follow without us having to focus on them.” But this is not what we see in Titus 3. Instead, Paul says things like “let our people learn to devote themselves to good works” (v. 14) and “[let believers] be careful to devote themselves to good works” (v. 8). There is a sense of urgency in his words that is often lacking in our preaching.

Good works require our dedication. After all, we were “created in Christ Jesus for” good works (Eph. 2:10). We must actively “learn” to do them. The ability to perform good works is instilled in us when we are born again, so the potential is there. However, actually doing them is a learned skill, similar to riding a bike or reading. Part of fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples is teaching people to do good works (Matt. 28:20).

Just as those who focus on the social gospel often over – emphasize good works at the expense of the gospel, some gospel – centered Reformed believers sometimes focus so much on the gospel that they neglect to encourage people to engage in good works. The former tries to build a house without laying a foundation, while the latter wants to lay a foundation but never build on it. Both approaches go against what Titus 3 teaches, and neither will honor the doctrine of God our Savior in the way Paul intended.

The Definition of Good Works

At this point, someone might ask, “Okay, I understand good works are important. But what exactly are they?” Fortunately, Titus 3 offers a basic definition. Good works are practical acts of love that meet people’s needs.
I derive this definition from several parts of Titus 3. In verse 8, when discussing good works, Paul says, “These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Unlike “foolish controversies” and “quarrels about the law” (v. 9), good works are beneficial to others. Then, in verse 14, Paul states, “Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need.” When you notice a need and, out of love, try to meet it, that is a good work. Good works are an outpouring of love for Christ that addresses the needs of others.
We can see a practical example in verse 13, where Paul says, “Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.” When your church sends someone out for the sake of the gospel, ensuring that all their needs are met is a good work. This is what the Philippians did for Paul (Phil. 4:15–18), and it’s what Paul wanted the Cretan church to do for Zenas and Apollos.
Good works can address needs that are large or small, material or spiritual, and the recipients can be almost anyone. Here are some examples:

• Sharing the gospel with those who haven’t heard it is a good work because lost people need to hear the message.
• Comforting a 4 – year – old who wakes up at 2:00 a.m. after a bad dream by getting out of bed to hold them is a good work.
• Studying linguistics or learning Greek and Hebrew to help translate the Bible into languages that don’t have it yet is a good work, as many people groups still need the Bible in their native tongues.
• Offering prayer and compassion to those who are hurting, such as putting your arm around them and praying, is a good work.
• Changing a baby’s diaper, cooking supper, and reading bedtime stories are good works. Parents, if you’re unsure, ask someone at Child Services about what neglect looks like, and remember that these acts are important.
• Using your entrepreneurial skills to start a company and provide meaningful employment so that people can support their families is a good work.
• Staying sober, arriving on time, and following the boss’s instructions at work are good works, as companies need reliable employees.
• A policeman taking down an active shooter is doing a good work. Also, becoming a policeman, soldier, lawyer, or social worker to protect the vulnerable and maintain law and order can all be good works.

Become Enthusiastic for Good Works

It’s evident that “good works” is not a narrow concept. There are countless opportunities; the fields are full of possibilities, and the need is great. William Wilberforce said, “No man has a right to be idle.” In this world, there is always “some ignorance to instruct, some wrong to redress, some want to supply, some misery to alleviate.”
Good works don’t have to make you famous. Not every Christian will be as well – known as Wilberforce. Most people will not be remembered for their good deeds in this life. As the novelist George Eliot put it, “[The] good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
But the gospel assures us that one day, those tombs will be emptied, and those hidden lives will be recognized by our heavenly Father in front of the entire universe. On that day, you will hear Jesus say,
“Well done, good and faithful servant. I was hungry and you fed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was scared and you comforted me. I was soiled and you changed me. I was ignorant and you taught me. I was threatened and you protected me. I was orphaned and you adopted me. I was aimless and you mentored me. I was unemployed and you hired me. I was lost and you evangelized me. I was unpopular and you befriended me.”
Then you will know that your life was not in vain and your efforts were not wasted. This is what Jesus died to achieve: “a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). So, let’s not grow tired of doing good. Instead, let’s learn to wholeheartedly devote ourselves to good works.