“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
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 — these things (tauta) refer to verses 4-7, the soteriological summary. The saying is worthy of faith (pistos ho logos) affirms its authority and reliability. Titus must press (diabebaioō — strongly affirm) the doctrine's practical consequences: believers must be zealous for good works (ergōn kalōn proestamenos), making faith necessarily productive of virtue.
Church Fathers on Titus 3:8
Having spoken of the love of God to man, of His ineffable regard for us, of what we were and what He has done for us, he has added, “These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works”; that is, Discourse of these things, and from a consideration of them exhort to almsgiving. For what has been said will not only apply to humility, to the not being puffed up, and not reviling others, but to every other…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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