“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life — justification (dikaiōthentes) by grace is the legal verdict that restores status; the result is heirs (kleronomoi) with right to promised inheritance. The hope of eternal life (elpida aiōniou) specifies the inheritance as eschatological — not earthly possession but participation in God's unending life. Grace justifies; hope expectantly inherits.
Church Fathers on Titus 3:7
What means, “according to the hope”? That, as we have hoped, so we shall enjoy eternal life, or because you are even already heirs. Because he had been speaking of things future and not of the present, therefore he adds, that it is worthy of credit. These things are true, he says, and this is manifest from what has gone before. For He who has delivered us from such a state of iniquity, and from so many evils, will assuredly impart to us the good things to come, if we abide…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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