Titus 2:14

who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

Who gave himself for us ... As Zerr said, "This clearly shows that Christ is the particular one of the godhead meant in the preceding verse."[35] Here the great ransom for many is in view (Mark 10:45). We do not inquire concerning the one to whom the ransom was paid, nor as to why it was necessary, nor if it could have been done in some other way. All such questions lie beyond our ability either to ask or to solve. Sufficient is the knowledge that our Lord "paid it all" that we might live. Men did not take his life away from him, but he freely laid it down upon our behalf (John 10:17,18). No bitterness assailed him as he bore our sins on the tree; but "for the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2).

From all iniquity ... The basic connection of salvation with the separation of the saved from the pursuit of iniquity is again apparent in this. Christ did not come to save men in their sins, but from their sins.

Purify unto himself a people... White accurately pointed out that Paul very likely has in mind here Ezekiel 37:23, thus:

I will save them out of their dwelling places wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

On the basis of this, White went on to affirm "that there is an allusion to holy baptism here, which is explicit in Titus 3:5."[36] It may not be denied that sinners are purified unto the Lord in their conversion and that thus they become the Lord's own possession.

[35] E. M. Zerr, op. cit., p. 204.

[36] Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 196.