Titus 1:2

“In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began;” – Titus 1:2

In the previous text, we see that Paul has established himself not only as the author of this letter, but also that his credentials of an apostle was given by Jesus Christ himself, and his mission is to spread a faith that produces godly lives. Paul is now connecting this new thought of verse two to his introduction – he is sent as a delegate (apostle) in the hope of bringing eternal life to all men.

“In hope of eternal life”

The first thing God gives us ‘the sinner’ is the hope of eternal life. This comes before He tells us how, when, where, etc. This is a sign of love. God wants us to know first before anything else, that He wants us to be with Him, and never die.

Contrast this to the first words of the Serpent – ‘You will not surely die..’

This same thought is brought out again in (Titus 2:13) – “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

The purpose of the Gospel is to raise hope – hope in eternal life. A life with the creator, free from suffering and death.

“which God, who cannot lie”

Imagine a God who could lie, or at the very least change His mind. If His temper changed based on His mood or His circumstances.

(Hebrews 6:18 KJV) – “in which it was impossible for God to lie”

“promised”

This hope of eternal life is not a ‘wish’ or a ‘desire’ it is a promise – by a God who cannot lie. This is His covenant.

(Romans 11:29 NLT) – “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.”

(Romans 11:29 KJV) – “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

“before the world began”

It was God’s design that we should have eternal life, before the act of creation. Proof that humans were never meant to be involved with sin and suffering and death. This is an interesting point when compared to (Revelation 13:8) – “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Here we see that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, but before the world began humans were promised eternal life. It is almost like, before God committed to the creation, He made the promise that humans would have eternal life, but the second that he laid the foundations of the world, He knew that the Lamb would need to be slain for the eternal life to be granted. This seems to connect with (John 3:16) – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

God would have to give His son (The Lamb see John 1:29) for this promised gift of eternal life to be realized. What Amazing Love! With a God like this, it is easier to be saved than lost.

An application:

I thank-you, God, for your unchanging nature. I can depend on you no matter how uncertain life becomes. You are a rock of salvation. A pillar of hope. You have promised the gift of eternal life when we are faced with eternal death. Before I was conceived you had eternal life waiting for me. Teach me to wait patiently upon you and to trust in your unchanging character. Amen.