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The main thoughts which run through these verses are the cause and method of redemption. These are set against the old state of sin, in which we were "foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."

I. SALVATION AS TO ITS PRIMARY CAUSE. The cause is Divine, lodged within the Divine heart, and is twofold.

1. Love. The love of God for a "world of sinners lost," is the first cause of man's redemption. That love is like Himself — free, boundless, inexplicable, and eternal. "For God so loved the world," etc. "God is love."

2. Mercy. The object of love can only be touched by the hand of mercy. This speaks of the sinfulness of our nature, and that compassion which has found a way for love to operate on the human heart. The original of the gospel is not a human device, or the work of righteousness, but the gift of God to fallen man.

II. SALVATION AS TO ITS METHOD. There are here also two observations made by the apostle.

1. The removal of guilt. The washing of regeneration means the removal of the guilt of the soul, and the acceptance of the peace of the Father. It was the custom to sprinkle the proselytes with water, in token of their renouncing their idolatry, and be made clean to enter the service of the true God.

2. The renewal of Divine influences. The Spirit rests on believers to light them, and to guide them; also to comfort them. Regeneration must be followed by the indwelling Spirit. This is a comparison taken from nature, where all living things are renewed in the spring of the year. Thus we are reminded of the necessity for the constant power of the Holy Ghost in our daily life.

(Weekly Pulpit.)

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KJV: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

WEB: But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,