Titus 3 (BHT-ATN)

“These Things Are Valuable and Beneficial for People”

1 Remind them to submit themselves to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for indeed every kind of good work, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable, gracious, displaying toward all people the utmost humility.+ 3 After all, we, too, were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaves to evil desires and passions of various kinds, living lives of malice and envy, loathsome, hating one another. 4 Yet when this appeared—God our Savior’s kindness and compassionate concern for mankind— 5 it wasn’t because of works of righteousness that we ourselves did that he saved us, but because of his own great mercy, by washing us, by regenerating and renewing us through the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus the Messiah our Savior, 7 so that, having been mercifully+ held to be righteous by his gift, we might become heirs in accordance with the hope of the life of the coming age. 8 Trustworthy+ is this saying. These things I want you to assert with confidence, so that those who have put their faith in God will be careful to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are valuable+ and beneficial for people. 9 Keep away, however, from foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and quarrels about Torah, because they are useless and worthless. 10 If someone is causing divisions, give him a first and then a second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with him,+ 11 because you know that such a person is twisted and sinful; his own actions are proof enough of his guilt.+

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do everything you can to come to me in the city of Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Make every effort+ to furnish food and anything else needed for travel to Zenas the lawyer and Apollos; make sure they don’t lack a thing for their journey. 14 The believers in Crete,+ too, must learn to devote themselves to good deeds, so as to meet pressing needs, so that they aren’t unfruitful. 15 Those who are with me, all of them, send you greetings. Please greet our dear friends in the faith. Grace be with all of 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.+3:2Or gentleness, or courtesy.+3:7IT. The extension of mercy is implied here. See James B. Prothro, A Pauline Theology of Justification: Forgiveness, Friendship, and Life in Christ. (Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2023). Cf Rom 4:1-8.+3:8Or Faithful.+3:8Or good.+3:10Lit A divisive man, after one and a second warning, have nothing to do with [him]. ME (see UBSHS [Tit], 309). Cf CJB, NLT, NIV, TEV.+3:11Lit being self-condemned. ME (see UBSHS [Tit], 310). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+3:13Lit Diligently, or Earnestly. ME (see L-N, 68.65). Cf NET, NRSV.+3:14Lit Ours, or Our own. ME (see BDAG, 438, sv ἡμέτερος; Robertson, Word Pictures, Tit 3:14; Vincent, Word Studies, 4:352; UBSHS [Tit], 313).