The
Book of Titus with Commentary
Content added weekly
New King James Version
Titus 1
Greeting
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment
of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life
which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due
time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me
according to the commandment of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ[a] our Savior.
Qualified Elders
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the
things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I
commanded you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one
wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or
insubordination. 7 For a bishop[b] must be blameless, as a steward of
God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not
violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is
good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the
faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound
doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
The Elders’ Task
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers,
especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped,
who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for
the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own,
said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy
gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them
sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to
Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To
the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and
unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are
defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being
abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
Titus 2
Qualities of a Sound Church
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound
doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in
faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be
reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers
of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love
their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste,
homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things
showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing
integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[a] 8 sound speech that cannot
be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having
nothing evil to say of you.[b]
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well
pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but
showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our
Savior in all things.
Trained by Saving Grace
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for
the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior
Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from
every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people,
zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no
one despise you.
Titus 3
Graces of the Heirs of Grace
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey,
to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be
peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves
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 and the love of God our Savior toward
man 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, 6 whom 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 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm
constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Avoid Dissension
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings
about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a
divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that
such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Final Messages
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 with haste, that they may
lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works,
to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Farewell
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
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