TIT 3:5 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. οὐκ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. C·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140426
1. ἐξ
2. ek
3. by
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140427
1. ἔργων
2. ergon
3. works
4. -
5. 20410
6. N····GNP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140428
1. τῶν
2. ho
3. which
4. that
5. 35880
6. R····GNP
7. ¬which
8. ¬which
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140429
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140430
1. δικαιοσύνῃ
2. dikaiosunē
3. righteousness
4. -
5. 13430
6. N····DFS
7. righteousness
8. righteousness
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140431
1. ἅ
2. hos
3. that
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····ANP
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140432
1. ὧν
2. hos
3. -
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····GMP
7. ˱of˲ which
8. ˱of˲ which
9. -
10. -
11. 140433
1. ἐποιήσαμεν
2. poieō
3. practiced
4. -
5. 41600
6. VIAA1··P
7. practiced
8. practiced
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140434
1. ἡμεῖς
2. egō
3. we
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1N·P
7. we
8. we
9. -
10. Y65; R139881; Person=Paul; R139929; Person=Titus; R140168; R140210; R140248
11. 140435
1. ἀλλά
2. alla
3. but
4. -
5. 2350
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140436
1. κατά
2. kata
3. according to
4. -
5. 25960
6. P·······
7. according_to
8. according_to
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140437
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140438
1. τόν
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 140439
1. αὐτοῦ
2. autos
3. of him
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3GMS
7. ˱of˲ him
8. ˱of˲ him
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140440
1. ἔλεος
2. eleos
3. mercy
4. mercy
5. 16560
6. N····ANS
7. mercy
8. mercy
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140441
1. ἔλεον
2. eleos
3. -
4. -
5. 16560
6. N····AMS
7. mercy
8. mercy
9. -
10. -
11. 140442
1. ἔσωσεν
2. sōzō
3. he saved
4. saved
5. 49820
6. VIAA3··S
7. ˱he˲ saved
8. ˱he˲ saved
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140443
1. ἡμάς
2. egō
3. us
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1A·P
7. us
8. us
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140444
1. διά
2. dia
3. through
4. through
5. 12230
6. P·······
7. through
8. through
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140445
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 140446
1. λουτροῦ
2. loutron
3. +the washing
4. washing
5. 30670
6. N····GNS
7. ˓the˒ washing
8. ˓the˒ washing
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140447
1. παλιγγενεσίας
2. paliŋgenesia
3. of regeneration
4. regenerated
5. 38240
6. N····GFS
7. ˱of˲ regeneration
8. ˱of˲ regeneration
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140448
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. but
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140449
1. ἀνακαινώσεως
2. anakainōsis
3. renewal
4. renewed
5. 3420
6. N····GFS
7. renewal
8. renewal
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140450
1. Πνεύματος
2. pneuma
3. of +the spirit
4. spirit
5. 41510
6. N····GNS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y65; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 140451
1. Ἁγίου
2. hagios
3. holy
4. -
5. 400
6. A····GNS
7. holy
8. Holy
9. G
10. Y65; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 140452

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–11: Christians should live good lives among unbelievers

This section contains the last major theme in this letter. In 2:1–14, Paul had discussed relationships between Christians. Now in 3:1–11, he wrote about relationships that Christians have with non-Christians. He once more gave Titus instructions to pass on to the believers: they must submit to government authorities, be kind to other people, and not participate in useless arguments. God has given them new life because of what Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have done, and they should live in peace and be generous to others.

3:5a

He saved us,

and/when he saved/rescued us^(incl).
He delivered us from our sins.

He saved us: In Greek the verb that the BSB translates as saved is the main verb of this long sentence (3:4–7). The pronoun He refers to God our Savior, from 3:4. The pronoun us refers to Paul, Titus, and all believers, all God’s people.

3:5b

not by the righteous deeds we had done,

He did this, not because we had done righteous works/things
He did not do this because of anything good that we had done.

not by the righteous deeds we had done: This verse part explains that God did not save his people on the grounds of any good works that they had done. Their righteous acts were not the cause of or reason for their salvation. They did nothing to contribute to it. Their salvation is not a reward for their good deeds.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

it was not because of any upright actions we had done ourselves (NJB)

not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness (NASB)

not because we had done righteous deeds

In some languages it may be natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

He did not save us because of any righteous things we had done

It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. (NIrV)

righteous deeds we had done: This phrase is more literally “works that we did in righteousness.” Paul did not make it clear whether or not people had in fact ever done any righteous deeds. Try to leave this open or ambiguous. For example:

any good deeds that we have done

good things we might have done

righteous deeds: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as righteous deeds refers to behaving or acting in righteous ways, deeds done in obedience to God’s laws. Other ways to translate this include:

upright actions (NJB)

good works/deeds

things that are good in God’s sight

3:5c

but according to His mercy,

but because he had compassion on us.
Rather, he did this, because he is merciful.

but according to His mercy: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but here introduces a strong contrast. Paul now gave the real or true reason why God acted to save us. The reason was his own mercy. Here are some other ways to translate this:

Rather, he saved us because he had mercy on us.

No, it was because of his mercy that he saved us.

His mercy: This phrase refers to God’s mercy, that is, God’s compassion for us. In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a clause with a verb. For example:

God had mercy on us

God showed us kindness

General Comment on 3:5a-c

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in these verse parts and put the positive statement first (5c) and the negative second (5b). God saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of our good deeds that he saved us. For example:

^5aHe saved us ^5cbecause of his mercy. ^5bIt was not because of the righteous things that we had done.

3:5d

through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

He did this by washing us, so giving us new birth, and by renewing us by the Holy Spirit.
We received this salvation/deliverance because he cleansed us and in this way gave us new life, and because he gave us the Holy Spirit to cause us to live in a new way.

through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit: In Greek this complex phrase can be understood in a number of different ways. Here are the main options:

The Holy Spirit is the agent of one action, renewal. God saved people by means of two things: the washing of new birth and the renewal that was given or caused by the Holy Spirit. For example:
through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (NET)
The Holy Spirit is the agent of two actions (new birth, renewal). God saved people by means of one thing: washing them. This washing can be explained or understood as the new birth and renewal of the Holy Spirit. For example:
through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal (GW)
The Holy Spirit is the agent of three actions (washing, new birth, renewal). God saved people through these three actions of the Holy Spirit. For example:
through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us (GNT)

All these options have wide support among scholars, and all can be defended from the Greek sentence structure. Some English translations (such as the BSB) are ambiguous or unclear. These Notes and Display follow interpretation (1).3:5 See Knight, The Pastoral Epistles.

through: The Greek word that the BSB translates as through here introduces the means by which God saves people. Following interpretation (1) above, there are two means: “washing of rebirth” and “renewal by the Holy Spirit.”3:5 The Greek text does not contain the definite article “the” anywhere in this phrase. It has been supplied by the BSB. In some languages it may be best to omit it. So in some languages it may be natural to repeat the word through and translate the entire phrase as:

through washing of rebirth and through renewal by/of the Holy Spirit

the washing of new birth: The Greek word that the BSB translates as washing here means “cleansing.” It probably refers to inward cleansing, that is, to purifying people from sin. This washing or cleansing is symbolized by baptism. The phrase washing of new birth probably identifies washing as a new birth, that is, inward cleansing is a kind of rebirth, or results in new birth. For example:

cleansing us, causing us to receive new birth

new birth: The Greek word that the BSB translated as new birth means “new beginning.” This word also occurs in Matthew to refer to the new creation. In this context it refers to the new beginning in someone’s life when they receive new life and become a Christian. Other NT writers use the figure of speech “born again” to refer to the event of becoming a Christian (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:3, 1:23). If you have already translated these passages, check the expression you used there before deciding what to do here. Other ways to translate this include:

God gave us new birth/life

God enabled us to begin to live in a new way

God caused us to follow a new path

renewal: The Greek word the BSB translates as renewal means “new beginning” in the sense of “a fresh start.” This word also occurs in Romans 12:2. In this context it has a similar meaning to “new birth.” The difference between the two is that the word for “new birth” indicates the starting point of new life, and the word for renewal refers to the new type of life that results from that new birth. Here are some other ways to translate this:

new life (GNT)

making us/believers new people

by the Holy Spirit: As described in the note earlier in this verse part, scholars do not agree as to which action or actions Paul was referring as performed by the Holy Spirit. It is recommended that you translate this as referring to the action of “renewal,” that is, the Holy Spirit is the one who renews God’s people.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ

works ¬which in righteousness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [righteous works] or [good deeds]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

κατὰ τὸ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ἅ ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς ἀλλά κατά τό αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἔσωσεν ἡμάς διά λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καί ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος Ἁγίου)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of mercy, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [because he wanted to be merciful]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

λουτροῦ παλινγενεσίας

˓the˒_washing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ἅ ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς ἀλλά κατά τό αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἔσωσεν ἡμάς διά λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καί ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος Ἁγίου)

Paul combines two metaphors here. He is speaking of God’s forgiveness for sinners as if he were physically washing them clean from their sin. He is also speaking of sinners who become responsive to God as if they experience a new birth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [being forgiven from sin, born again spiritually,]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. not
2. -
3. 37560
5. ou
6. C-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140426
1. by
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140427
1. works
2. -
3. 20410
5. ergon
6. N-····GNP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140428
1. which
2. that
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····GNP
7. ¬which
8. ¬which
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140429
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140430
1. righteousness
2. -
3. 13430
5. dikaiosunē
6. N-····DFS
7. righteousness
8. righteousness
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140431
1. that
2. -
3. 37390
5. hos
6. R-····ANP
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140432
1. we
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1N·P
7. we
8. we
9. -
10. Y65; R139881; Person=Paul; R139929; Person=Titus; R140168; R140210; R140248
11. 140435
1. practiced
2. -
3. 41600
5. poieō
6. V-IAA1··P
7. practiced
8. practiced
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140434
1. but
2. -
3. 2350
5. alla
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140436
1. according to
2. -
3. 25960
5. kata
6. P-·······
7. according_to
8. according_to
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140437
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140438
1. mercy
2. mercy
3. 16560
5. eleos
6. N-····ANS
7. mercy
8. mercy
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140441
1. of him
2. -
3. 8460
5. autos
6. R-···3GMS
7. ˱of˲ him
8. ˱of˲ him
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140440
1. he saved
2. saved
3. 49820
5. sōzō
6. V-IAA3··S
7. ˱he˲ saved
8. ˱he˲ saved
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140443
1. us
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1A·P
7. us
8. us
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140444
1. through
2. through
3. 12230
5. dia
6. P-·······
7. through
8. through
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140445
1. +the washing
2. washing
3. 30670
5. loutron
6. N-····GNS
7. ˓the˒ washing
8. ˓the˒ washing
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140447
1. of regeneration
2. regenerated
3. 38240
5. paliŋgenesia
6. N-····GFS
7. ˱of˲ regeneration
8. ˱of˲ regeneration
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140448
1. and
2. but
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140449
1. renewal
2. renewed
3. 3420
5. anakainōsis
6. N-····GFS
7. renewal
8. renewal
9. -
10. Y65
11. 140450
1. of +the
2. spirit
3. 41510
4. GN
5. pneuma
6. N-····GNS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y65; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 140451
1. holy
2. -
3. 400
4. G
5. hagios
6. A-····GNS
7. holy
8. Holy
9. G
10. Y65; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 140452
1. spirit
2. spirit
3. 41510
4. GN
5. pneuma
6. N-····GNS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y65; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 140451

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear TIT 3:5