Titus 3
Expanded Bible
The Right Way to Live
3 Remind the believers to ·yield to the authority of [submit/be subject to] rulers and ·government leaders [authorities], to obey them, to be ready to do ·good [whatever is good; L every good work], 2 to ·speak no evil about anyone [slander no one], to ·live in peace [avoid fighting], and to be gentle and ·polite [considerate; courteous] to all people.
3 In the past we also were foolish. We did not obey, we were ·wrong [mislead; deceived], and we were slaves to ·many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed [L various passions and pleasures]. We spent our lives doing evil and being ·jealous [envious]. People hated us, and we hated each other. 4 But when the kindness and ·love [love of humanity] of God our Savior ·was shown [appeared; was revealed], 5 he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of ·good deeds we did to be right with him [or righteous deeds we did]. He saved us through the washing ·that made us new people [L of new-birth/regeneration and renewal] ·through [by] the Holy Spirit. 6 God poured out ·richly [generously; abundantly] upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Being [L …so that having been] ·made right with God [justified; declared righteous] by his grace, we could ·have the hope of receiving [L become heirs with the hope/expectation of] ·the life that never ends [eternal life].
8 This ·teaching is true [saying/word is trustworthy; 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11], and I want you to ·be sure the people understand [or insist on] these things. Then those who ·believe [trust; have faith] in God will ·be careful to use their lives for [devote themselves to; or take the lead in] doing good. These things are good and will ·help [be beneficial for] everyone.
9 But ·stay away from [avoid] foolish ·arguments [controversies; debates] and ·talk about useless family histories [L genealogies; 1 Tim. 1:4] and ·arguments [quarrels; disputes] and ·quarrels [fights] about the law [1:10, 14; 1 Tim. 1:3–7]. Those things are ·worth nothing [unprofitable] and ·will not help anyone [empty]. 10 After a first and second warning, ·avoid [reject; have nothing to do with] someone who ·causes arguments [is divisive; causes factions]. 11 You can know that such people are ·evil [warped; perverted; corrupt] and sinful; ·their own sins prove them wrong [L …being self-condemned].
Some Things to Remember
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus [Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12] to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis [C a city located on the west coast of Greece], because I have decided to stay there this winter. 13 ·Do all you can [Make every effort] to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos [Acts 18:24, 27; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6] on their journey so that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to ·use their lives for [devote themselves to; or take the lead in] doing good deeds to ·provide what is necessary [meet urgent needs] so that their lives will not be ·useless [unfruitful].
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Titus 3
New English Translation
Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and[a] authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 2 They must not slander[b] anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 [c] But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure[d] through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 And so,[e] since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”[f]
Summary of the Letter
8 This saying[g] is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths,[h] so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies,[i] quarrels, and fights about the law,[j] because they are useless and empty. 10 Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. 11 You know[k] that such a person is twisted by sin[l] and is conscious of it himself.[m]
Final Instructions and Greeting
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Make every effort to help[n] Zenas the lawyer[o] and Apollos on their way; make sure they have what they need.[p] 14 Here is another way that our people[q] can learn[r] to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful. 15 Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith.[s] Grace be with you all.[t]
Footnotes
- Titus 3:1 tc Most later witnesses (D1 0278 1241 1505 M lat sy) have καί (kai, “and”) after ἀρχαῖς (archais, “rulers”), though the earliest and best witnesses (א A C D* F G Ψ 33 104 1739 1881) lack the conjunction. Although the καί is most likely not authentic, it has been added in translation due to the requirements of English style. For more discussion, see TCGNT 586.
- Titus 3:2 tn Or “discredit,” “damage the reputation of.”
- Titus 3:4 tn Verses 4-7 are set as poetry in NA28. These verses probably constitute the referent of the expression “this saying” in v. 8.
- Titus 3:6 tn Or “on us richly.”
- Titus 3:7 tn This is the conclusion of a single, skillfully composed sentence in Greek encompassing Titus 3:4-7. Showing the goal of God’s merciful salvation, v. 7 begins literally, “in order that, being justified…we might become heirs…”
- Titus 3:7 tn Grk “heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
- Titus 3:8 sn This saying (Grk “the saying”) refers to the preceding citation (Titus 3:4-7). See 1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11 for other occurrences of this phrase.
- Titus 3:8 tn Grk “concerning these things.”
- Titus 3:9 tn Cf. 1 Tim 1:4.
- Titus 3:9 sn Fights about the law were characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus as well as in Crete (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-7; Titus 1:10, 14).
- Titus 3:11 tn Grk “knowing” (as a continuation of the previous clause).
- Titus 3:11 tn Grk “is perverted and is sinning.”
- Titus 3:11 tn Grk “is sinning, being self-condemned.”
- Titus 3:13 tn Grk “Eagerly help.”
- Titus 3:13 tn Although it is possible the term νομικός (nomikos) indicates an expert in Jewish religious law here, according to L&N 33.338 and 56.37 it is more probable that Zenas was a specialist in civil law.
- Titus 3:13 tn Grk “that nothing may be lacking for them.”
- Titus 3:14 tn Grk “that those who are ours” (referring to the Christians).
- Titus 3:14 tn Grk “and also let our people learn.”
- Titus 3:15 tn Or “faithfully.”
- Titus 3:15 tc Most witnesses (א2 D1 F G H Ψ 0278 1241 1505 M lat sy bo) conclude this letter with ἀμήν (amēn, “amen”). Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. Further, early and excellent witnesses (א* A C D* 048 33 81 1739 1881 sa) lack the particle, rendering the omission the preferred reading.
Titus 3
New King James Version
Graces of the Heirs of Grace
3 Remind them (A)to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, (B)to 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 (C)we 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 (D)the kindness and the love of (E)God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 (F)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through (G)the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 (H)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace (I)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 (J)This 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 (K)avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 (L)Reject a divisive man after the first and second [a]admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Final Messages
12 When I send Artemas to you, or (M)Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and (N)Apollos 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.
Footnotes
- Titus 3:10 warning
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
