Qualifications of Elders

For this reason I left you in (A)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and (B)appoint (C)elders in every city as I directed you, namely, (D)if any man is beyond reproach, the (E)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of (F)indecent behavior or (G)rebellion. For the [a](H)overseer must be beyond reproach as (I)God’s steward, not (J)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not (K)overindulging in wine, not [b]a bully, (L)not greedy for money, but (M)hospitable, (N)loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, (O)holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to [c]exhort in (P)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:7 Or bishop
  2. Titus 1:7 Or combative
  3. Titus 1:9 Or encourage

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good(A)

The reason I left you in Crete(B) was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders(C) in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless,(D) faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer(E) manages God’s household,(F) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.(G) Rather, he must be hospitable,(H) one who loves what is good,(I) who is self-controlled,(J) upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly(K) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine(L) and refute those who oppose it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:5 Or ordain
  2. Titus 1:6 Or children are trustworthy