Obedience to Authorities
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
God's Mercy to Us
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Avoiding Divisions
9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Final Remarks and Greetings
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. {It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Heirs of Grace
1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
Avoid Divisions
(Romans 16:17–20)
9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning; 11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.
Final Remarks and Greetings
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. 13 Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. 14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Heirs of Grace
1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, 2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth a and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
Avoid Divisions
(Romans 16:17–20)
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Remarks and Greetings
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need. 14 And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send you greetings.
Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with all of you. b
Footnotes:
5 a Or of regeneration
15 b BYZ and TR include Amen.
Obedience to Authorities
1Remind them to be subject to principalities and authorities, to obey rule, unto every good work to be ready, 2of no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome -- gentle, showing all meekness to all men,
God's Mercy to Us
3for we were once -- also we -- thoughtless, disobedient, led astray, serving desires and pleasures manifold, in malice and envy living, odious -- hating one another; 4and when the kindness and the love to men of God our Saviour did appear 5(not by works that are in righteousness that we did but according to His kindness,) He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6which He poured upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7that having been declared righteous by His grace, heirs we may become according to the hope of life age-during. 8Stedfast is the word; and concerning these things I counsel thee to affirm fully, that they may be thoughtful, to be leading in good works -- who have believed God; these are the good and profitable things to men,
Avoiding Divisions
9and foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about law, stand away from -- for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A sectarian man, after a first and second admonition be rejecting, 11having known that he hath been subverted who is such, and doth sin, being self-condemned.
Final Remarks and Greetings
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for there to winter I have determined. 13Zenas the lawyer and Apollos bring diligently on their way, that nothing to them may be lacking, 14and let them learn -- ours also -- to be leading in good works to the necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
15Salute thee do all those with me; salute those loving us in faith; the grace is with you all!
The Favor of God paraphrase
Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel
¹ Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do whatever is good! ² They should slander no one, avoid quarrels, be gentle, and show true humility to everyone. ³ For we, too, were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy! He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Having been justified by His grace, we become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
⁸ This is a trustworthy saying! And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Avoiding Divisive Behavior
⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You can be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
¹² As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all!
Footnotes:
1.“Submit to rulers and authorities” (verse 1) reflects the instruction for Christians to live peacefully within their societies, respecting governing authorities unless it contradicts God’s commands.
2.“The washing of rebirth” (verse 5) uses the Greek word paliggenesia, which refers to spiritual rebirth, symbolizing the new life given by God through salvation.
3.“Renewal by the Holy Spirit” (verse 5) emphasizes that the transformation believers experience is not from their efforts but by the active work of the Holy Spirit.
4.“Heirs with the hope of eternal life” (verse 7) refers to the believers’ inheritance in God’s kingdom, made possible by their justification through Jesus’ sacrifice.
5.“Divisive person” (verse 10) translates the Greek term hairetikos, meaning someone who causes division or promotes heresy, and stresses the importance of unity in the church.
6.“Doing what is good” (verse 14) highlights the practical nature of faith, where believers are encouraged to live productively, meeting the needs of others and avoiding idleness.
7.“Nicopolis” (verse 12) was a city in Greece where Paul planned to spend the winter, showing the ongoing missionary strategy and fellowship among early Christian leaders.
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