AICNT TIT book

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,[fn] according to the faith of God's chosen and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before eternal times, 3 but revealed in due times his word through the proclamation, which I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior,

Grace [[mercy and]][fn] and peace from God the Father and [[the Lord]][fn] {Christ Jesus}[fn] our Savior.

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might put in order what remains and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you, 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wild living or disobedience. 7 For an overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, and disciplined, 9 holding firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to refute those who oppose it.

10 For there are many [also][fn] who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whom it is necessary to silence, who overturn whole households, teaching things they ought not for the sake of shameful gain.

12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be healthy in faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commands of men who turn away from the truth.

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but their minds and consciences are corrupted.

16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being detestable and disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

2 Older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.

3 Likewise, older women should be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, {not}[fn] enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home,[fn] kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

7 In everything, present yourself as an example of good works, in teaching demonstrating integrity, dignity, [[incorruptibility]][fn] 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about {us}.[fn]

9 Slaves should be submissive to their own masters in all things, pleasing them, not talking back, 10 not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the teaching of our savior God in all things.

11 {For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men},[fn] 12 instructing us, so that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we might live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

13 Awaiting the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God[fn] and savior, Jesus Christ,[fn] 14 who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

15 Speak these things, encourage, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, showing all humility to all men.

3 For we were once also foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, detestable, hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and love for mankind of our savior God appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,[fn] 6 which he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our savior, 7 that having been justified by his grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 The saying is trustworthy; and concerning these things, I want you to insist, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are good and beneficial for men.

9 But avoid foolish disputes and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.

10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, so that nothing may be lacking for them.

14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

[[To Titus, first ordained bishop of the church of the Cretans, written from Nicopolis of Macedonia.]][fn]

1:1, Christ: The Greek word for Christ means (1) fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ, (2) the personal name ascribed to Jesus, Christ. (BDAG, Χριστός)

1:4, mercy and: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

1:4, the Lord: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

1:4, Christ Jesus: Later manuscripts read “Jesus Christ.”

1:10, also: NA28[] SBLGNT BYZ TR ‖ Absent from some manuscripts. THGNT N(01) A(02) C(04)

2:3, not: NA28 BYZ TR ‖ Some manuscripts read “nor.” SBLGNT THGNT

2:5, workers at home: Pertaining to carrying out household responsibilities (BDAG, οἰκουργός). Later manuscripts read “keepers” rather than “workers.”

2:7, incorruptibility: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

2:8, us: Some manuscripts read “you.” A(02)

2:11, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men: Later manuscripts read “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

2:13, God: The BDAG entry of the Greek word for “God” states, “Some writing in our literature uses the word θεός in reference to Christ without necessarily equating Christ with the Father, and therefore in harmony with the Shema of Israel. Dt 6:4.” BDAG further gives a fourth definition of θεός : “4 that which is nontranscendent but considered worth of special reverence or respect, god ... of humans θεοί John 10:34f; humans are called θεός in the Old Testament” (BDAG, θεός).

2:13, GPT-4 gives the additional variation “the glory of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ” on account of syntactical ambiguity.

3:5, Spirit: The Greek word for Spirit is given the following definitions by BDAG: (1) air in movement, blowing, breathing, (2) that which animates or gives life to the body, breath , (life-)spirit, (3) a part of human personality, spirit, (4) an independent noncorporeal being, in contrast to a being that can be perceived by the physical senses, spirit, or (5) God's being as controlling influence, with focus on association with humans, Spirit, spirit ... (c) Because of its heavenly origin and nature this Spirit is called (the) Holy Spirit. (BDAG, πνεῦμα)

3:15, Amen: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

3:15, Later manuscripts add. TR