Titus

Titus

Greeting from Paul

From Paul,

a servant of God and a sent one of Jesus the Anointed One,

for the sake of the trust of God’s chosen ones

and the knowledge of the truth that leads to a set-apart life—

in the hope of age-enduring life,

which God, who does not lie, promised before the ages began,

and at the proper time revealed His word

through the message entrusted to me

by the command of God our Rescuer—

To Titus,

my true child in our common trust:

Grace and peace from God the Father

and Jesus the Anointed One, our Master and Rescuer.

Appointing Elders with Integrity

The reason I left you in Crete

was that you would set in order what was unfinished

and appoint elders in every town,

as I directed you.

An elder must be:

blameless,

the faithful husband of one wife,

with children who trust and are not open to accusation

of wild living or rebellion.

Since an overseer manages God’s household,

they must be blameless—

not arrogant, not quick-tempered,

not addicted to wine,

not violent, not greedy for gain,

but instead:

hospitable,

a lover of what is good,

thoughtful, self-controlled,

upright, set-apart, and disciplined.

They must hold firmly to the trustworthy word as taught,

so that they may be able both to encourage with sound instruction

and to correct those who contradict it.

Correcting Deception and Dishonesty

For there are many rebellious people,

empty talkers and deceivers—

especially those from the circumcision group.

They must be silenced,

because they are disrupting entire households

by teaching things they should not,

for the sake of dishonest gain.

One of their own prophets has said:

“Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

This testimony is true.

Therefore, correct them sharply,

so that they may become sound in the trust,

not paying attention to Jewish myths

or the commands of people

who turn away from the truth.

Pure or Defiled, According to the Heart

To the pure, all things are pure.

But to those who are corrupted and do not trust,

nothing is pure.

In fact, both their minds and consciences are defiled.

They claim to know God,

but by their actions they deny Him.

They are detestable, disobedient,

and unfit for any good work.

———

Teach What Aligns with Sound Instruction

But as for you,

speak what aligns with sound instruction.

Teach the older men to be:

thoughtful,

worthy of respect,

self-controlled,

sound in trust, love, and endurance.

Likewise, teach the older women to be:

reverent in behavior,

not slanderers,

not enslaved to much wine—

teachers of what is good.

So that they may train the younger women to:

love their husbands and children,

be self-controlled and pure,

keep their homes with care,

be kind,

and live in submission to their own husbands—

so that the word of God may not be slandered.

Call All Generations to Integrity

Encourage the younger men likewise to be self-controlled.

In everything, set an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching, show:

integrity,

dignity,

and sound speech that cannot be condemned,

so that anyone who opposes you may be ashamed,

having nothing bad to say about us.

Instruction for Servants

Urge servants to be submissive to their own masters in everything—

to be pleasing, not argumentative,

not stealing,

but showing complete trustworthiness,

so that in everything they may adorn the teaching of God our Rescuer.

The Grace That Trains Us

For the grace of God has appeared,

bringing rescue to all people,

training us to say “no”

to ungodliness and worldly desires,

and to live self-controlled, upright, and reverent lives

in the present age,

while we wait for the blessed hope—

the appearing of the glory

of our great God and Rescuer, Jesus the Anointed One,

who gave Himself for us

to redeem us from all lawlessness

and to purify for Himself

a people who are His own—

zealous for good works.

Speak These Things with Authority

Speak these things,

encourage and correct with full authority.

Let no one disregard you.

———

Be Ready for Every Good Work

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,

to be obedient,

to be ready for every good work,

to speak evil of no one,

to be peaceable and considerate,

and to show true gentleness toward all people.

From Foolish to Renewed

For we ourselves were once:

foolish,

disobedient,

led astray,

enslaved to various desires and pleasures,

living in malice and envy,

hated and hating one another.

But when the kindness and love of God our Rescuer appeared,

He rescued us—

not because of works of rightness that we had done,

but according to His mercy,

through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Set-Apart Breath,

whom He poured out on us richly

through Jesus the Anointed One, our Rescuer,

so that, having been made right by His grace,

we might become heirs according to the hope of age-enduring life.

Devoted to Good, Avoiding Division

This is a trustworthy word.

And I want you to insist on these things,

so that those who have trusted in God

may be devoted to doing good.

These things are good and beneficial for people.

But avoid:

foolish debates,

genealogies,

strife,

and quarrels about the instruction—

for they are unprofitable and empty.

Warn a divisive person once,

then a second time.

After that, have nothing more to do with them.

You can be sure such a person is warped and sinful;

they are self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Blessing

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you,

do your best to come to me in Nicopolis,

for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with care,

so that they lack nothing.

Let our people learn to devote themselves

to good works for urgent needs,

so that they will not be unfruitful.

All who are with me send you greetings.

Greet those who love us in the trust.

Grace be with you all.