Titus 1
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
This letter comes from Paul, servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I'm sent to build up the trust of God's chosen people and to share the knowledge of the truth that leads to lives lived for God.
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (aiōnios g166)
This gives them the hope of eternal life that God (who cannot lie) promised ages ago, (aiōnios g166)
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
but which at the proper time he revealed through his word in the message which I was entrusted to give, following the command of God our Savior.
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
This letter is sent to Titus, my true son through the trust in God we share in common. May you have grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
The reason I left you in Crete was for you to organize what was still needed and to appoint elders in every town, as I told you.
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
An elder must have a good reputation, the husband of one wife, and have children who believe and who are not accused of being wild or disobedient.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
As a leader for God, a head elder must have a good reputation and not be arrogant. He should not have a quick temper nor get drunk; he shouldn't be violent or greedy for money.
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
He should be hospitable, someone who loves what's good and does what's right. He should be living a life for God, self-controlled,
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
and must be devoted to the trustworthy message as it's taught. In this way he can encourage others through correct teaching, and be able to convince those who disagree.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
For there are many rebels around who talk a lot of deceptive nonsense, especially from the circumcision group.
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Their talking must stop, these people who throw whole families into turmoil, teaching things that aren't right for the sake of making money.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
As someone of their own people, a prophet, has stated, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts who are lazy, greedy people.”
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
This is a true statement! Consequently give them a good telling-off so that they can have a healthy trust in God,
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
not paying attention to Jewish myths and human commandments from those who deviate from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
To those who have clean minds everything is clean, but to those who are corrupt and refuse to trust in God, nothing is clean—both their minds and their consciences are corrupt.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
They claim to know God, but they prove this is false by what they do. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
