THE
LETTER
OF
PAUL, THE DELEGATE,
TO
TITUS.
[WRITTEN FROM MACEDONIA, A. D. 56.]
I.—PAUL (Latin:Paulos; little), a slave of God, and a Delegate of Yeshua The Anointed, for the faith of those chosen of God, and the acknowledgment of the truth, which is according to godliness;–in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;–who has now declared his word, at the proper time, by the proclamation with which I am entrusted, according to the appointment of God our Savior.
4 To Titus, my genuine son, according to the common faith: Favor, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Yeshua The Anointed our Savior.
5.–For this purpose, I left you in Crete, that you might set in order the things left unfinished, and to appoint elders (Gk:presbuteros, elder, of age, a term of rank or office) in every city, as I commanded you. If anyone is without blame, the husband of one wife, having faithful children who are not accused of unsaved living, or rebellion. For a elder should be blameless, as a manager for God; not self-willed, not prone to anger, not given to wine, not quarrelsome, not one who seeks greedy gain; but hospitable (Gk:philoxenos, fond of guests); who loves good (Gk:philagathos fond to good), prudent, just, holy, self-controlled; holding fast the true teaching, as he has been taught; that he may be able by wholesome teaching, both to exhort and to refute those who contradict.
10 For there are many unruly and foolish talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert whole families, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of filthy gain. One of themselves, a forthteller of their own, has said, “The Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy bodies.” This testimony is true; for which cause rebuke them sharply, that they may be heed you in the faith,–not giving care to Jewish fables, and precepts of men who pervert the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the polluted and unbelieving, nothing is pure; for both their understanding and conscience are polluted. They profess to know God; but by works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work rejected.
Chapter 2
II.–But as for you, speak the things, which are fitting for wholesome teaching: that aged men be discreet, honest, self-controlled, sound in faith, love (agape), and in patient enduring. That aged women, in like manner, should behave as holy persons;–not gossips, not enslaved to much wine, good teachers; that they may persuade the young women to be lovers (philandros) of their husbands, lovers (philoteknos ) of their children;– self-controlled, pure, caring for their families, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be defamed.–The young men, in like manner, exhort to govern their passions.
7 In all things make yourself a pattern of good works: in teaching show soundness, honesty, wholesome speech which cannot be condemned; that he, who is on the opposite side, may be ashamed, having nothing bad to say concerning you. Exhort slaves to be subordinate to their own masters, and in all things to be careful to please, not answering again, not secretly stealing, but showing all good faith, that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in all things.
11 For the favor of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men; teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously, and godly in this present world;–expecting the blessed hope, namely, the appearing of the glory of the great God, and of our Savior Yeshua The Anointed; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a special people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and reprove with all authority; let no one despise you.
Chapter 3
III.—Remind them to be subordinate to rulers and powers, to obey, to be ready for every good work; to speak evil of no one; to be peaceable, but gentle, showing all humility to all men. For even we ourselves were formerly unwise, disobedient, roaming, slavishly serving many desires and pleasures, living in wickedness and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and love (Gk:philanthropia fondness of mankind) toward man of God our Savior shone forth, he saved us,–not on account of works of righteousness which we had done,–but according to his own mercy, through the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit; which he had poured out on us richly through Yeshua The Anointed our Savior: that being justified by his favor, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
9 This teaching is true: and concerning these, I charge you to affirm strongly, that those who have believed in God, be careful to maintain good works;–These are the things that are honorable and profitable to men. But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and fighting against the law, resist; for they are unprofitable and empty. 10 Reject a factious man, after a first and second admonition; knowing that such a person is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.
12 When I shall send Areemas to you, or Tychicus, make an effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. Diligently help Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey that nothing may be lacking for them. And let our people also learn to practice good works, for necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful. All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love (phileo) us in the faith. Favor be with you all.