Titus 1:1

for the faith of

"to strengthen the faith of"

that agrees with godliness

"that is suitable for honoring God"

Titus 1:2

with the hope of everlasting life

"with the confidence of receiving everlasting life"

before all the ages of time

"before time began"

Titus 1:3

At the right time he revealed his word

"At the proper time he caused people to understand his message"

with which I have been entrusted

"that he trusted me to deliver"

God our Savior

"God, who saves us"

Titus 1:4

a true son

"you who are like a son to me"

our common faith

"the teachings that we both believe"

Grace and peace

"May you experience kindness and peace within"

Christ Jesus our Savior

"Christ Jesus who is our Savior"

Titus 1:5

For this purpose I left you in Crete, that you might set

"This is the reason I left you in Crete: I wanted you to set"

I left you in Crete

"I told you to stay in Crete"

set in order things not yet complete

"finish arranging things that needed to be done"

ordain elders

"appoint elders"

elders

In the early Christian churches, Christian elders gave spiritual leadership to the assemblies of believers.

Titus 1:6

An elder must be blameless, the husband

"An elder must not have a bad reputation and must be the husband"

the husband of one wife

"a man who has only one woman" or "a man who is faithful to his wife". This means that he has only one wife, that is, he does not have any other wives or concubines. It may also imply that he does not commit adultery and that he has not divorced a previous wife.

faithful children

Possible meanings are 1) children who believe in Jesus or 2) children who are trustworthy.

Titus 1:7

overseer

This is another name for the same position of spiritual leadership that Paul referred to as "elder" in 1:6.

a manager of the household of God

Paul speaks of the church as if it were God's household and the overseer as if he were a servant in charge of managing the household.

not addicted to wine

"not an alcoholic" or "not one who drinks much wine"

not a brawler

"not one who likes to fight"

Titus 1:8

Instead

Paul is changing his argument from what an elder should not be, to what an elder is to be.

Titus 1:9

hold tightly to

"be devoted to" or "know well". Paul speaks of devotion to the Christian faith as if it were grasping the faith with one's hands.

truthful teaching

"trustworthy words"

Titus 1:10

rebellious people

These are rebellious people who oppose Paul's gospel message.

empty talkers and deceivers

"people who say useless things and deceive others"

those of the circumcision

This refers to the Christian Jews who taught that men must be circumcised in order to follow Christ.

Titus 1:11

It is necessary to stop them

"They must be stopped from influencing others by their words"

are upsetting whole families

"are ruining whole families"

for disgraceful profit

This refers to profit that people make by doing things that are not honorable.

what they should not teach

These are things that are not proper to teach regarding Christ and the Law because they are not true.

Titus 1:12

One of their own prophets

"A prophet from Crete itself" or "A Cretan that they themselves consider to be a prophet"

Cretans are always liars

"Cretans lie all the time"

Titus 1:13

Therefore, correct them severely

"You must use strong language that the Cretans will understand when you correct them"

Titus 1:14

Jewish myths

This refers to the false teaching of the Jews.

turn away from the truth

"reject the truth"

Titus 1:15

To those who are pure, all things are pure

"If people are pure on the inside, everything they do will be pure"

To those who are pure

"To those who are acceptable to God"

to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure

"if people are morally defiled and do not believe, they cannot do anything pure"

Titus 1:16

they deny him by their actions

"how they live proves that they do not know him"

They are detestable

"They are disgusting"

Titus 2:1

But you, speak what fits

"But you, Titus, in contrast with the false teachers, be sure to say those things that fit"

Titus 2:2

to be temperate

"to be sober-minded”

temperate, dignified, sensible

"temperate and dignified, to control their desires"

and sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance

"and they must firmly believe the true teachings about God, truly love others, and continually serve God even when things are difficult"

Titus 2:3

slanderers

This word refers to people who say bad things about other people whether they are true or not.

or being slaves to much wine

"and not drinking too much wine"

Titus 2:5

so that God's word may not be spoken of as evil

"so that no one insults God's word"

Titus 2:6

In the same way, encourage

"Also be sure to encourage"

Titus 2:7

present yourself as an example of good works

"show yourself to be an example of one who does right and proper things"

Titus 2:8

a truthful message

"trustworthy words"

Titus 2:9

their masters

"their own masters"

in everything

"in every situation"

please them

"satisfy their masters"

Titus 2:10

demonstrate all good faith

"show that they are worthy of their masters' trust"

in every way

"in everything they do"

they may bring credit to the teaching about God our Savior

"they may cause people to understand that the teaching about God our Savior is good"

God our Savior

"our God who saves us"

Titus 2:11

the grace of God has appeared

Paul speaks of the grace of God as if it were a person who goes to other people.

Titus 2:12

trains us

Paul speaks of the grace of God (Titus 2:11) as if it were a person who goes to other people and trains them to live holy lives.

trains us to reject godlessness

"teaches us not to dishonor God"

worldly desires

"strong desires for the things of this world" or "strong desires for sinful pleasures"

in this age

"as we live in this world"

Titus 2:13

we look forward to receiving

"we eagerly wait to receive"

our blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

"the good thing for which we confidently wait, that is, the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"

Titus 2:14

gave himself for us

"gave himself to die for us"

to redeem us from all lawlessness

Paul speaks of Jesus as if he were setting slaves free from their evil master.

a special people

A group of people that he treasures.

are eager

"have a strong desire"

Titus 2:15

give correction with all authority

"correct with all authority those people who do not do these things"

Let no one

"Do not allow anyone to"

disregard you

"refuse to listen to your words"

Titus 3:1

submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them

"do as the political rulers and government authorities say by obeying them"

rulers and authorities

These words have similar meanings and are used together to include everyone who holds authority in the government.

be ready for every good work

"be ready to do good whenever there is opportunity"

Titus 3:2

to insult no one

"to speak evil of no one"

Titus 3:3

For once we ourselves

"This is because we ourselves were once"

once

"formerly" or "previously"

we ourselves

"even we" or "we also"

were thoughtless

"were foolish" or "were unwise"

We were led astray and enslaved by various desires and pleasures

"Various desires and pleasures had lied to us and so led us astray" or "We had allowed ourselves to believe the lie that various desires and pleasures could make us happy, and then we were unable to control our feelings or stop doing things we thought would give us pleasure"

We lived in evil and envy

"We were always doing evil things and not wanting others to have good things"

We were detestable

"We caused others to hate us"

Titus 3:4

when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared

Paul speaks of God's kindness and love as if they were people that came into our sight.

Titus 3:5

by his mercy

"because he had mercy on us"

washing of new birth

Paul is probably speaking of God's forgiveness for sinners as if God were physically washing them and he is also speaking of sinners who become responsive to God as if they had been born again.

Titus 3:6

whom God richly poured on us

"whom God gave to us generously". It is common for New Testament writers to speak of the Holy Spirit as a liquid that God can pour out in large amounts.

through our Savior Jesus Christ

"when Jesus Christ saved us"

Titus 3:7

having been justified

"since God has declared us to be without sin"

we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life

"we might become like God's heirs, confidently waiting to inherit eternal life" or "we might have the confident expectation that God will cause us to live forever". The people to whom God has made promises are spoken of as if they were heirs, inheriting property and wealth from a family member.

Titus 3:8

may be careful to engage themselves in good works

"may seek to do good works"

Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish debates

"So avoid arguments concerning unimportant matters"

genealogies

This is the study of family kinship relationships.

strife

arguments

the law

"the law of Moses"

Titus 3:10

Reject anyone

"Have everyone stay away from anyone"

after one or two warnings

"after you have warned that person once or twice"

Titus 3:11

such a person

"a person like that"

has turned from the right way

Paul speaks of someone who has rejected the truth as if he had left the correct path on which he had been walking.

condemns himself

"brings judgment on himself"

Titus 3:12

When I send

"After I send"

Artemas ... Tychicus

These are men's names.

spend the winter

"stay until winter has ended"

Titus 3:13

Zenas ... Apollos

These are men's names.

Titus 3:14

Our people

Paul is referring to the believers in Crete.

that provide for urgent needs

"that help people who need important things immediately"

needs, and so not be unfruitful

"needs; in this way they will be fruitful" or "needs, and so they will do good works". Paul speaks of people doing good works as if they were trees bearing good fruit.

Titus 3:15

All those

"All the people"

those who love us in faith

"the believers who love us" or "the believers who love us because we share the same belief"

Grace be with all of you

"May God's grace be with you"