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Paul Paulos, a servant of God theos and de an apostle apostolos of Jesus Iēsous Christ Christos, for kata the faith pistis of the elect eklektos of God theos and kai the knowledge epignōsis of the truth alētheia that ho produces kata godliness eusebeia, for the sake of epi the hope elpis of eternal aiōnios life zōē, which hos God theos, who ho does not lie apseudēs, promised epangellomai before pro times chronos eternal aiōnios, and de revealed phaneroō his autos word logos at the proper idios time kairos · ho in en the proclamation kērygma, with which hos I egō have been entrusted pisteuō by kata the command epitagē of ho God theos our hēmeis Savior sōtēr, to Titus Titos, a true gnēsios son teknon in kata a common koinos faith pistis: Grace charis and kai peace eirēnē from apo God theos the Father patēr and kai Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous · ho our hēmeis Savior sōtēr.

For charin this reason houtos I left apoleipō you sy in en Crete Krētē, so that hina you might put right epidiorthoō the ho remaining things leipō and kai appoint kathistēmi elders presbyteros in every kata town polis, as hōs I egō directed diatassō you sy if ei anyone tis is eimi above reproach anenklētos, a man anēr of one heis woman gynē, having echō believing pistos children teknon, not open to en the charge katēgoria of debauchery asōtia or ē being rebellious anypotaktos. For gar it is necessary dei for an ho overseer episkopos to be eimi above reproach anenklētos as hōs a steward oikonomos of God theos, not arrogant authadēs, not quick-tempered orgilos, not a drunkard paroinos, not violent plēktēs, not greedy aischrokerdēs for gain , but alla hospitable philoxenos, loving what is good philagathos, self-controlled sōphrōn, just dikaios, holy hosios, disciplined enkratēs, holding fast to antechō the ho trustworthy pistos word logos that is in accordance with kata the ho teaching didachē, so that hina he might be eimi able dynatos both kai to exhort parakaleō with en · ho healthy hygiainō doctrine didaskalia · ho and kai to rebuke elenchō those ho who oppose antilegō it.

10 For gar there are eimi many polys rebellious people anypotaktos, senseless babblers mataiologos and kai deceivers phrenapatēs, especially malista those ho of ek the ho circumcision peritomē. 11 It is therefore necessary dei to muzzle epistomizō those hos who hostis are upsetting anatrepō entire holos households oikos by teaching didaskō what hos is not proper dei for charin shameful aischros gain kerdos. 12 One tis of ek them autos, their idios own autos prophet prophētēs, said legō, “ Cretans Krēs are always aei liars pseustēs, evil kakos beasts thērion, lazy argos gluttons gastēr.” 13 · ho This houtos testimony martyria is eimi true alēthēs, for dia which hos reason aitia rebuke elenchō them autos sharply apotomōs, so that hina they may be healthy hygiainō in en the ho faith pistis, 14 not being devoted prosechō to Jewish Ioudaikos myths mythos and kai commandments entolē of people anthrōpos who are turning away from apostrephō the ho truth alētheia. 15 All pas things are clean katharos to the ho clean katharos, but de to the ho defiled miainō and kai unbelieving apistos nothing oudeis is clean katharos, but alla both kai their autos · ho mind nous and kai · ho conscience syneidēsis are defiled miainō. 16 They profess homologeō to know oida God theos, but de by their ho deeds ergon they deny arneomai him, being eimi abominable bdelyktos and kai disobedient apeithēs and kai worthless adokimos for pros any pas good agathos work ergon.

Salutation

Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s chosen ones and [to lead and encourage them to recognize and pursue] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness, based on the hope and divine guarantee of eternal life, [the life] which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit, promised before the ages of time began, and at the appointed time has made known His word and revealed it as His message, through preaching, which was entrusted to me according to the command of God our Savior—

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications of Elders

For this reason I left you behind in Crete, so that you would set right what remains unfinished, and appoint [a]elders in every city as I directed you, namely, a man of unquestionable integrity, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of being immoral or rebellious. For the [b]overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain [but financially ethical]. And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach—whether in public or in private]. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error].

10 For there are many rebellious men who are empty talkers [just windbags] and deceivers; especially those of the circumcision [those Jews who insist that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law in order to be saved]. 11 They must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they should not teach for the purpose of dishonest financial gain. 12 One of them [Epimenides, a Cretan], a [c]prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This description is true. So rebuke them sharply so that they will be sound in the faith and free from doctrinal error, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and the commandments and rules of men who turn their backs on the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure; both their mind and their conscience are corrupted. 16 They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:5 The words elder, overseer, and bishop are used interchangeably to indicate the spiritually mature men who were qualified and selected to serve as leaders and shepherds over the church of God (v 7; cf Acts 20:17,28; 1 Tim 3:1-7; 1 Pet 5:1, 2).
  2. Titus 1:7 Or bishop.
  3. Titus 1:12 Epimenides was a highly regarded sixth century b.c. poet and philosopher from Crete. His description of his own people had by this time become a proverb.