Titus 1-3

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) a servant of God^(B) and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for^[a] the faith of God’s elect^(C) and their knowledge of the truth^(D) that leads^[b] to godliness,^{(E) 2} in the hope of eternal life^(F) that God, who cannot lie,^(G) promised before time began.^{(H) 3} In his own time he has revealed^(I) his word^(J) in the preaching with which I was entrusted^(K) by the command^(L) of God our Savior:^(M)

⁴ To Titus,^(N) my true son^(O) in our common faith.

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.^(P)

Titus’s Ministry in Crete

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete^(Q) was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders^(R) in every town. ⁶ An elder^(S) must be blameless,^(T) the husband of one wife, with faithful^[c] children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. ⁷ As an overseer^(U) of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding to the faithful message as taught,^(V) so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching^(W) and to refute those who contradict it.

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. ¹¹ It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. ¹² One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true.^(X) For this reason, rebuke them sharply,^(Y) so that they may be sound in the faith ¹⁴ and may not pay attention to Jewish myths^(Z) and the commands of people who reject the truth.^(AA)

¹⁵ To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience^(AB) are defiled. ¹⁶ They claim to know God,^(AC) but they deny him by their works.^(AD) They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.^(AE)

Sound Teaching and Christian Living

2 But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching.^{(AF) 2} Older men^(AG) are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love,^(AH) and endurance. ³ In the same way, older women^(AI) are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission^(AJ) to their husbands, so that God’s word^(AK) will not be slandered.

⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men^(AL) to be self-controlled ⁷ in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity^[d] in your teaching. ⁸ Your message is to be sound beyond reproach,^(AM) so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

⁹ Slaves are to submit to their masters^(AN) in everything, and to be well-pleasing,^(AO) not talking back ¹⁰ or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior^(AP) in everything.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation^[e] for all people,^{(AQ) 12} instructing us to deny godlessness^(AR) and worldly lusts^(AS) and to live in a sensible, righteous,^(AT) and godly^(AU) way in the present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope,^(AV) the appearing of the glory^(AW) of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us^(AX) to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession,^(AY) eager to do good works.

¹⁵ Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard^[f] you.

Christian Living among Outsiders

3 Remind them to submit^(AZ) to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness^(BA) to all people. ³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions^(BB) and pleasures,^(BC) living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,^{(BD) 5} he saved us^(BE)—not by works of righteousness that we had done,^(BF) but according to his mercy^(BG)—through the washing of regeneration^(BH) and renewal by the Holy Spirit.^{(BI) 6} He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly^(BJ) through Jesus Christ our Savior ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(BK) we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.^{(BL) 8} This saying is trustworthy.^(BM) I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. ⁹ But avoid foolish debates,^(BN) genealogies,^(BO) quarrels,^(BP) and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive^(BQ) person after a first and second warning.^{(BR) 11} For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Closing

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you,^(BS) make every effort to come to me^(BT) in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos^(BU) on their journey, so that they will lack^(BV) nothing.

¹⁴ Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.^{(BW) 15} All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.^(BX)