Add parallel Print Page Options

Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church

Remind them to be subject to rulers and[a] authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. They must not slander[b] anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. 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. [c] But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us in full measure[d] through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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

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. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Titus 3:2 tn Or “discredit,” “damage the reputation of.”
  3. 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.
  4. Titus 3:6 tn Or “on us richly.”
  5. 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…”
  6. Titus 3:7 tn Grk “heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
  7. 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.
  8. Titus 3:8 tn Grk “concerning these things.”
  9. Titus 3:9 tn Cf. 1 Tim 1:4.
  10. 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).
  11. Titus 3:11 tn Grk “knowing” (as a continuation of the previous clause).
  12. Titus 3:11 tn Grk “is perverted and is sinning.”
  13. Titus 3:11 tn Grk “is sinning, being self-condemned.”
  14. Titus 3:13 tn Grk “Eagerly help.”
  15. 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.
  16. Titus 3:13 tn Grk “that nothing may be lacking for them.”
  17. Titus 3:14 tn Grk “that those who are ours” (referring to the Christians).
  18. Titus 3:14 tn Grk “and also let our people learn.”
  19. Titus 3:15 tn Or “faithfully.”
  20. 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.

La base de la salvación

Recuérdales(A) que estén sujetos a los gobernantes(B), a las autoridades; que sean obedientes, que estén preparados para toda buena obra(C). Que no injurien a nadie, que no sean contenciosos(D), sino amables(E), mostrando toda consideración para con todos los hombres(F).

Porque nosotros también en otro tiempo éramos necios(G), desobedientes(H), extraviados(I), esclavos(J) de deleites y placeres diversos(K), viviendo en malicia(L) y envidia(M), aborrecibles y odiándonos unos a otros. Pero cuando se manifestó(N) la bondad(O) de Dios nuestro Salvador(P), y Su amor hacia la humanidad, Él nos salvó(Q), no por las obras de[a] justicia que nosotros hubiéramos hecho(R), sino conforme a Su misericordia(S), por medio del lavamiento de la regeneración(T) y la renovación por el Espíritu Santo(U), que Él derramó sobre nosotros(V) abundantemente por medio de Jesucristo(W) nuestro Salvador, para que justificados por Su gracia fuéramos hechos herederos(X) según la esperanza de la vida eterna[b].

Palabra fiel es esta(Y); y en cuanto a estas cosas quiero que hables con firmeza(Z), para que los que han creído en Dios procuren ocuparse(AA) en buenas obras(AB). Estas cosas son buenas y útiles para los hombres. Pero evita(AC) controversias necias(AD), genealogías(AE), contiendas y discusiones acerca de la ley(AF), porque son sin provecho y sin valor(AG). 10 Al hombre que cause divisiones(AH), después de la primera y segunda amonestación(AI), recházalo(AJ), 11 sabiendo que el tal es perverso y está pecando(AK), habiéndose condenado a sí mismo.

Recomendaciones finales y bendición

12 Cuando te envíe a Artemas o a Tíquico(AL), procura venir a verme(AM) en Nicópolis, porque he decidido pasar allí el invierno(AN). 13 Encamina con diligencia a Zenas, intérprete de la ley(AO), y a Apolos(AP), para que nada les falte. 14 Y que los nuestros(AQ) aprendan a ocuparse en buenas obras(AR), atendiendo a las necesidades apremiantes(AS), para que no estén sin fruto(AT).

15 Todos los que están conmigo te saludan(AU). Saluda a los que nos aman en la fe(AV).

La gracia sea con todos ustedes(AW).

Footnotes

  1. 3:5 Lit. en.
  2. 3:7 O de vida eterna, según la esperanza.

Saved in Order to Do Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,(B) to slander no one,(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time(D) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness(E) and love of God our Savior(F) appeared,(G) he saved us,(H) not because of righteous things we had done,(I) but because of his mercy.(J) He saved us through the washing(K) of rebirth and renewal(L) by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us(M) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace,(N) we might become heirs(O) having the hope(P) of eternal life.(Q) This is a trustworthy saying.(R) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.(S) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid(T) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels(U) about the law,(V) because these are unprofitable and useless.(W) 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.(X) 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus(Y) to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.(Z) 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos(AA) on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,(AB) in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.(AC)

Grace be with you all.(AD)

Graces of the Heirs of Grace

Remind them (A)to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, (B)to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 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. But when (D)the kindness and the love of (E)God our Savior toward man appeared, (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, (H)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace (I)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(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

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

  1. Titus 3:10 warning