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.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:6 Or believing

Titus’s Work in Crete

I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife,[a] and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. A church leader[b] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,[c] violent, or dishonest with money.

Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:6 Or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; Greek reads must be the husband of one wife.
  2. 1:7a Or An overseer, or A bishop.
  3. 1:7b Greek must not drink too much wine.