Titus 3

1 Remind believers to willingly place themselves under the authority of government officials. Believers should obey them and be ready to help them with every good thing they do.

2 Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

What God Did for Us

3 Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other.4 However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear,5 he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.6 God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior.7 As a result, God in his kindnesst has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life.

8 This is a statement that can be trusted. I want you to insist on these things so that those who believe in God can concentrate on setting an example by doing good things. This is good and helps other people.

Advice for Titus

9 Avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about Moses’ Teachings. This is useless nonsense.10 Have nothing to do with people who continue to teach false doctrine after you have warned them once or twice.

11 You know that people like this are corrupt. They are sinners condemned by their own actions.

Farewell

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to visit me in the city of Nicopolis. I have decided to spend the winter there.

13 Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos your best support for their trip so that they will have everything they need.
14 Our people should also learn how to set an example by doing good things when urgent needs arise so that they can live productive lives.15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet our faithful friends.God’s good willt be with all of you.

Titus 3

1 Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,2 to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.3 For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.4 But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,6 which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.8 Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:9 but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain.10 A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter.13 Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.15 All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all.