Titus 1 (BHT-FTN)

“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.+1:1The genitive has been interpreted as a subjective genitive. This is reflected in the 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.+1:2Because of the length of this sentence in Greek, it is difficult to know exactly what ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι ( ep’ elpidi) is meant to be read in connection with. Because it is explicitly mentioned as the basis for “faith” in Rm 4:18, I am inclined to see it as connected with “faith.” However, if this choice is made, it means that ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι should be interpreted as being connected, too, with “knowledge,” since the two are coordinated by καὶ ( kai). Hence, the interpretation reflected in the CJB, NIV, and NCV is also reflected in translation here (ie, interpretation 2 in ESS [Tit and Phm], 16).+1:2This is a more literal rendering of ζωῆς αἰωνίου ( zōēs aiōniou), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+1:2ἀψευδὴς ( apseudēs) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and therefore dashes have been used to give this element extra focus. Cf NLT.+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.+1:4γνησίῳ ( gnēsiō) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+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.+1:5IT. Cf NLT.+1:5τὰ λείποντα ( ta leiponta) is in P2 (see BART Display), and therefore a demonstrative pronoun (in Greek, the article is a weak demonstrative) and italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:5πρεσβυτέρους ( presbuterous) is in a DFE position (see BART Display), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:5διεταξάμην ( dietaxamēn) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore the clause has been translated so as to allow this element to land in clause-final for extra focus and stress.+1:6Lit If someone is blameless. Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:6μιᾶς γυναικὸς (mias gunaikos) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore inversion has been been used to give extra focus to this element.+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). τέκνα πιστά ( teka pista) is in a split focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT). The split element has been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:7ἀνέγκλητον ( anenklēton) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics and a comma have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:7θεοῦ ( theou) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and therefore a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this element within the ME (see following note).+1:7Lit as a steward of God. ME (see UBSHS [Tit], 272). Cf CJB, NET, NIV, TEV.+1:7Maintaining consistency in translation with 1 Ti 3:8 (see translation and note there).+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. πιστοῦ ( pistou) is in an embedded focal position (confirmed through personal correspondence with Dr. Stephen Levinsohn), and has therefore been placed at the end of the phrase for extra focus and stress.+1:9κατὰ τὴν διδαχὴν ( kata tēn didachēn) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and therefore an adverb and commas have been used to give extra focus to this element.+1:9δυνατὸς ( dunatos) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb (drawn from L-N; see L-N, 74.4) has been used to give extra focus to this element.+1:9παρακαλέω ( parakaleō) has a broad range of meaning, depending on the context (see translation and notes at 2 Co 1:4).+1:9IT. Cf TEV.+1:9See notes at Mt 18:15 and 1 Ti 5:20. The same applies here.+1:9τοὺς ἀντιλέγοντας ( tous antilegontas) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:10Lit deceivers. A verbal form has been used in translation, since ματαιολόγος ( mataiologos) has been translated such as to make sure that any potential connection with 1 Ti 1:6 isn’t lost in translation. Cf ISV, NCV, NLT, TEV.+1:10“This is true” (cf NLT) has been supplied in translation to ensure that “those of the circumcision” is processed in connection with “the rebellious/empty talkers/deceivers,” since “deceivers” has been translated as a verb (see preceding note).+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.+1:11ὅλους οἴκους ( holous okious) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:11In 1 Ti 3:8 and Tit 1:17 (see translation and notes there), Paul uses a word that is a compound of the two words used here, and therefore I have translated here in a way similar to how I have translated in those two verses.+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.+1:15πάντα ( panta) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+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.+1:16θεὸν ( theon) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:16ἀρνοῦνται ( arnountai) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:16βδελυκτοὶ καὶ ἀπειθεῖς ( bedeluktoi kai apeitheis) is in a split focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:16ἀδόκιμοί ( adokimoi) is in a DFE position (see BART Display), and has therefore been placed in clause-final for extra focus and stress. The 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.