Are Romans 2:4 and Titus 2:11 talking about two different types of grace?

Question:

Good day,

Titus 2:11 speaks about the grace that brings salvation, meaning unmerited favor. Does Romans 2:4 talk about a different grace, where God cares and supplies to all human beings so that they would want the grace mentioned in Titus 2:11?

Thanks.

Answer:

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:11-14).

"Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:1-4).

The reason God doesn't zap each of us when we sin, though we deserve it, is because He wants us to change (repent). Thus, God, in His kindness and patience, gives us time to change. But Paul is warning people in Romans 2 not to mistake this kindness of God for acceptance of their sins. Too often we have less patience with other people and their sins than God has with our own sins.

God's favor to mankind, an undeserved gift that is given to everyone, is His teachings on how to leave sin and live righteously. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). God didn't have to give us the Bible. He could have left us on our own to figure it out for ourselves, though that would have left all of us lost. God's grace is also seen in Jesus coming into this world to save us from sin and teach us to live with zeal for doing good. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17).

But to answer your question, Romans 2:4 isn't talking about grace. It is talking about God's patience and kindness. Both Romans 2:4 and Titus 2:11 are talking about how God is dealing with all of mankind, both the evil and the righteous, in an equal manner -- giving everyone an equal chance to be saved.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email