Print Page Options Listen to Titus 1:5-9

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Read full chapter

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good(A)

The reason I left you in Crete(B) was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders(C) in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless,(D) faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer(E) manages God’s household,(F) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.(G) Rather, he must be hospitable,(H) one who loves what is good,(I) who is self-controlled,(J) upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly(K) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine(L) and refute those who oppose it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:5 Or ordain
  2. Titus 1:6 Or children are trustworthy

Qualifications for Elders

(A)This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and (B)appoint elders in every town as I directed you— (C)if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[a] and his children are believers[b] and not open to the charge of (D)debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer,[c] (E)as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not (F)be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent (G)or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, (H)and disciplined. He must (I)hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in (J)sound[d] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:6 Or a man of one woman
  2. Titus 1:6 Or are faithful
  3. Titus 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos
  4. Titus 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13

Titus’s Ministry in Crete

The reason I left you in Crete(A) was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders(B) in every town. An elder(C) must be blameless,(D) the husband of one wife, with faithful[a] children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer(E) of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught,(F) so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching(G) and to refute those who contradict it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:6 Or believing

Qualifications of Elders

For this reason I left you in (A)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and (B)appoint (C)elders in every city as I directed you, namely, (D)if any man is above reproach, the (E)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of (F)dissipation or (G)rebellion. For the [a](H)overseer must be above reproach as (I)God’s steward, not (J)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not (K)addicted to wine, not pugnacious, (L)not fond of sordid gain, but (M)hospitable, (N)loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, (O)holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in (P)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:7 Or bishop