An Exposition of the Epistle of Paul, the Apostle, to Titus and Philemon

By William Kelly

Titus - A New Translation

 

Chapter 1

1 Paul, bondman of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, according to faith of God's elect and acknowledgment of truth that is according to piety, 2 upon hope of life eternal which God that cannot lie promised before times everlasting, 3 but manifested in its own seasons his word in a preaching with which I was entrusted according to command of our Saviour God, 4 to Titus, genuine child according to common faith: grace and peace from God [the] Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. 5 For this cause I left thee in Crete that thou shouldest order further the things wanting, and appoint elders city by city, as I directed thee. 6 If any one is unaccused, husband of one wife, having children faithful, [who are] not under charge of profligacy, or unruly. 7 For the overseer must be unaccused as God's steward; not self-willed, not passionate, not remaining over wine, not a striker, not a seeker of base gain; 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, discreet [or, sober-minded], just, holy, temperate, 9 holding to the faithful word that is according to the doctrine, that he may be able both to exhort in the healthful teaching and to convict the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly [men], vain speakers and deceivers, specially they of [the] circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped; who are such as overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not for base gain's sake. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans [are] always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies [or, gluttons]. 13 This testimony is true; for which cause reprove them severely, that they may be healthful in the faith, 14 not paying heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men turning away as they do from the truth. 15 To the pure all things [are] pure; but to them that are defiled and unfaithful nothing [is] pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their works they deny [him], being abominable and disobedient, and for every good work reprobate.

Chapter 2

1 But speak thou the things which beseem the healthful teaching, 2 that aged men be sober, grave, discreet, healthful in faith, in love, in patience [or, endurance]; 3 that aged women likewise [be] in deportment as beseeming sacred things, not slanderous, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of good; 4 that they may school the young women to be husband-lovers, children-lovers. 5 discreet, chaste, home- workers, good, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God be not evil-spoken of. 6 The younger men likewise exhort to be discreet, 7 as to all things presenting thyself a pattern of good works, in the teaching incorruptness, gravity, 8 healthy speech not to be condemned, that he who is opposed may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of us. 9 Bondmen [exhort] to be subject to their own masters, to be well-pleasing in all things, not gainsaying, 10 not purloining, but displaying all good fidelity, that in all things they may adorn the teaching that [is] of our Saviour God. 11 For the grace of God appeared that bringeth salvation to all men, 12 teaching us that, having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, and justly, and piously in the present age, 13 awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for as, that he might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify to himself a people for [his] possession, zealous of good works. 15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all command (or, authority): let none despise thee.

Chapter 3

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of none, to be uncontentious, mild, displaying all meekness toward all men. 3 For we also were aforetime senseless, disobedient, led astray, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love to man of our Saviour God appeared, 5 [it was] not of works that [were] in righteousness which ourselves did, but according to his own mercy he saved us through a washing of regeneration and renewal of [the] Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to hope of life eternal. 8 Faithful [is] the word, and I would have thee stedfastly affirm about these things, that those who have believed (rod be careful to put forward (or, maintain) good works. These things are good and profitable to men; 9but foolish questions and genealogies and strifes and legal contentions, shun; for they are profitless and vain. 10 A sectarian man after a first and second admonition (or, warning) reject, 11 knowing that such a one is perverted and sinneth, being self-condemned.

12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me at Nicopolis, for there I am decided to winter. 13 Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos diligently on their way, that nothing be lacking to them. 14 And let ours also learn to apply themselves to good works for necessary wants, that they be not unfruitful. 15 All that [are] with me salute thee. Salute those that love us in faith. Grace [be] with you all.