Titus 1 (BHT-ATN)

“To: Titus, My Genuine Son in the Faith We Share”

1 From: Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle of Jesus the Messiah, to encourage+ the faith of those whom God has chosen and spread+ the knowledge of the truth that leads to godly conduct,+ 2 a faith and knowledge based on the hope of life in the coming age, which God—who never lies—promised before the beginning of the ages.+ 3 Yet he put his word on open display at his own appointed time through the message,+ with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior.

4 To: Titus, my genuine son in the faith we share.+

Grace and peace from God the Father and Messiah Jesus our Savior.

“This Is Why I Had You Stay Behind on the Island of Crete”

5 This is why I had ˢyou+ stay behind on the island of Crete: To set in order those things that still needed to be done, and appoint elders in every city, just as I gave you instruction. 6 An elder must be blameless,+ a man who is to his wife faithful,+ whose children are responsible+ and not open to the charge of reckless behavior and rebellion. 7 Indeed, it is imperative for an overseer to be blameless, since it is God’s work over which he has been made steward+—not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not given to too much wine, not a bully, not money-hungry, 8 but hospitable, a friend of what is good,+ sensible, upright, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast to the teaching+ that is reliable,+ precisely as it has been taught, so that he may be specially competent to strengthen and encourage people with sound teaching and to bring clear yet firm+ correction to those who oppose it. 10 For there are many who are rebellious, who engage in fruitless chatter and deceive people. This is true especially of those who belong to the faction that is strict about Gentile circumcision.+ 11 They must be silenced, because they are overturning the faith+ of entire households, teaching things that they shouldn’t teach because they are hungry for people’s money. 12 A certain one of the Cretans+ has said, one of their own prophets:+

“People of Crete, ever speaking lies and deceit,

evil beasts who do nothing but eat.”+

13 What this man says+ is true. For this reason point out their error to them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith, 14 not occupying themselves with Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn their backs+ on the truth. 15 All things are ritually+ clean for+ those who are morally clean. For those who are defiled and unbelieving, however, nothing is clean; indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 Such people+ profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him. They are utterly detestable and disobedient, and are with respect to any good work unapproved, frauds that they are.+

+1:1In this context, κατὰ ( kata) is most likely signaling purpose, goal, and benefit (see BDAG, 512, sv κατά 4; UBSHS [Tit], 261). The specific advantage must be determined from the nouns in the prepositional phrase. The benefit in this situation would be something like “build up” (cf HCSB, TNT), or “help” (TEV), or “encourage” (CEV), or “further” (RSV) (for further discussion, see UBSHS [Tit], 261). “Build up” or “encourage” sound more natural in English with “faith,” but a bit awkward with “knowledge.” Therefore, a different verb (“spread” [cf 2 Co 2:14]) has been used with the second noun in translation.+1:1See note at “encourage” above.+1:1Or of the truth that accords with the faith. Lit of the truth that is according to religion/godliness/devotion/the faith. Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NIV. The function of κατὰ ( kata) here must again be determined from the context (for a brief discussion, see ESS [Tit and Phm], 262; UBSHS [Tit], 262). Cf also translation and notes at 1 Ti 3:15-16; NET Bible Notes, 1 Ti 3:16.+1:2Cf 1 Co 2:6-8.+1:3Lit through what is preached, or through the proclamation. Cf Ga 2:7, 1 Th 2:4; 1 Ti 1:11.+1:4Or in our common faith.+1:5Unless otherwise noted (through superscript [ᵖyou] or some other means), all second person pronouns are in the second person singular.+1:6Lit If someone is blameless. Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:6Or a man devoted solely to his wife, or a man married only once, or a man who has only one wife. Lit a husband of one wife, or a man of one woman. ME (see translation and notes at 1 Ti 3:2).+1:6Or whose children are believers, or whose children are trustworthy. Drawing from the BSL at Col 4:7 in translation here (see BSL, Col 4:7, sv πιστός). While it is probably assumed here that the children are believers, I am inclined to agree with the NET Bible Notes, namely, that “the parallel with 1 Tim 3:4…argues for the sense” of trustworthy/faithful/dependable (see NET Bible Notes, Tit 1:6).+1:7Lit as a steward of God. ME (see UBSHS [Tit], 272). Cf CJB, NET, NIV, TEV.+1:8Lit a lover of what is good. See translation and note at 2 Ti 3:3. The opposite is meant here.+1:9Or word, or message.+1:9Or trustworthy, or faithful.+1:9See notes at Mt 18:15 and 1 Ti 5:20. The same applies here.+1:10Lit those from/who belong to the circumcision. ME(H) (see translation and notes at Ac 10:45, 11:2, and Ga 2:12; UBSHS [Tit], 275). Cf CJB, NIV.+1:11IT. “Faith” is implied here (see UBSHS [Tit], 276). Cf 2 Ti 2:18.+1:12Lit of them. Cf CJB, TEV.+1:12Lit A certain one of them has said, a prophet of their own. ME. Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, TEV.+1:12Lit Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies. Following the lead of the ISV in giving the saying a proverbial/poetic feel in English. “Lazy stomachs” means gluttony (see L-N, 8.68). Cf UBSHS (Tit), 277.+1:13Lit This testimony. ME. Cf NCV.+1:14See translation and notes at 2 Ti 1:15. The same verb is used here.+1:15IT. καθαρός ( katharos) is used twice in this verse, the first time in reference to ritual cleanness, and the second time in reference to moral cleanness (see BDAG, 489, sv καθαρός 2, 3; UBSHS [Tit], 279).+1:15Or to, or with respect to.+1:16Lit They. Cf NLT.+1:16The lexeme used here (ἀδόκιμος [ adokimos]) is the opposite of δόκιμος ( dokimos), which “pert.[ains] to being genuine on the basis of testing” ( BDAG, 256, sv δόκιμος 1). Cf the translation and notes at 2 Co 13:5, 2 Ti 3:8, and Php 2:22.