Titus

Greeting

1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and athe acknowledgment of the truth bwhich accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who ccannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

4 To dTitus, a true son in our common faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and 1the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Qualified Elders

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should eset in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, fhaving faithful children not accused of 2dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a 3bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, gnot given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

The Elders’ Task

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle htalkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, ifor the sake of dishonest gain. 12 jOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. kTherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and lcommandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 mTo the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to nknow God, but oin works they deny Him, being 4abominable, disobedient, pand disqualified for every good work.

Qualities of a Sound Church

2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, ahomemakers, good, bobedient to their own husbands, cthat the word of God may not be blasphemed.

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be da pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, eincorruptibility, 8 1sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of 2you.

9 Exhort fbondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not 3pilfering, but showing all good 4fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Trained by Saving Grace

11 For gthe grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 hlooking for the blessed ihope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 jwho gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed kand purify for Himself lHis own special people, zealous for good works.

15 Speak these things, mexhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Graces of the Heirs of Grace

3 Remind them ato be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, bto be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For cwe ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when dthe kindness and the love of eGod our Savior toward man appeared, 5 fnot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through gthe washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 hwhom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace iwe should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 jThis is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Avoid Dissension

9 But kavoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 lReject a divisive man after the first and second 1admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Messages

12 When I send Artemas to you, or mTychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and nApollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

Farewell

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.