Titus 2 (BHT-ATN)

“The Gift of God Has Appeared with Salvation for the Whole Human Race”

1 You, however, are to call people to the kind of conduct that agrees with teaching that is sound.+ 2 Older men are to be temperate, of honorable conduct, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. 3 Older women, likewise, are to conduct themselves in a manner that is reverent, not slandering others, not enslaved to too much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they can train the younger women to love their husbands, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, diligent in tending to their duties at home, kind,+ and submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited. 6 The younger men, likewise, you must exhort to be self-controlled, 7 in every respect yourself showing to be an example of good deeds, in your teaching demonstrating sincerity,+ honorable conduct, 8 and sound instruction+ that is above reproach, so that your opponents may feel ashamed of their behavior, having nothing they can say about us that is bad. 9 Slaves are to submit themselves in all respects to their masters, and are to serve them well,+ not being defiant, 10 not misappropriating the things entrusted to them, but showing themselves to be at all times trustworthy and honest,+ so that they may bring credit+ in all respects to the teaching about God our Savior.

11 For the gift of God has appeared with salvation+ for the whole human race, 12 shaping us through training and discipline, so that we may conduct ourselves in the present age, having renounced ungodly behavior and worldly desires, in a self-controlled and righteous and godly manner, 13 as we wait expectantly for the arrival of our blessed hope,+ namely, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah, 14 who gave himself for us in order to release us by payment from slavery to every kind of wickedness and cleanse for himself a people who are his treasured possession,+ who are eager to do what is good.

15 These are the things you must teach; exhort and bring correction with full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.

+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.+2:1Lit You are speak the things that are appropriate to sound teaching. Paul’s use of πρέπω ( prepō) in other contexts (cf 1 Co 11:13; Eph 5:3; 1 Ti 2:10), and the immediate context (see vv 2-10), indicate that conduct is primarily in view here. Cf CJB, NET, NLT. Cf also 1 Co 4:17.+2:5Or good.+2:7Or integrity, or purity.+2:8Or a sound message, or sound speech.+2:9Lit to be well-pleasing. ME (see ANLEX, 177, sv εὐάρεστος 2; UBSHS [Tit], 288).+2:10Lit demonstrating all good trustworthiness. ME (see UBSHS [Tit], 289).+2:10Or may make attractive. Lit may adorn. ME (see ANLEX, 235, sv κοσμέω 2; BDAG, 560, sv κοσμέω 2.b.β.). Cf LEB, NET, TEV.+2:11Lit pertaining to salvation. Cf HCSB.+2:13Cf Rm 8:23-24.+2:14Or special possession, or chosen possession. Cf the LXX at Ex 19:5, 23:22; Dt 7:6, 14:2, 26:18.