At one time(A) 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(B) and love of God our Savior(C) appeared,(D) he saved us,(E) not because of righteous things we had done,(F) but because of his mercy.(G) He saved us through the washing(H) of rebirth and renewal(I) by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us(J) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace,(K) we might become heirs(L) having the hope(M) of eternal life.(N) This is a trustworthy saying.(O) 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.(P) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

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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. [a] 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[b] through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so,[c] since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”[d]

Summary of the Letter

This saying[e] is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths,[f] 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Titus 3:6 tn Or “on us richly.”
  3. 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…”
  4. Titus 3:7 tn Grk “heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
  5. 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.
  6. Titus 3:8 tn Grk “concerning these things.”