Titus 2:11-3:10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Transformation of Life. 11 [a]For the grace of God has appeared, saving all(A) 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance[b] of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ,(B) 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.(C)
15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you.(D)
Chapter 3
1 [c]Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities,[d] to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.(E) 2 They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.(F)
4 But when the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,(G)
5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
he saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the holy Spirit,(H)
6 whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,(I)
7 so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.(J)
8 This saying is trustworthy.
Advice to Titus.[e] I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others.(K) 9 [f]Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law,(L) for they are useless and futile. 10 After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic,(M)
Footnotes
- 2:11–15 Underlying the admonitions for moral improvement in Ti 2:1–10 as the moving force is the constant appeal to God’s revelation of salvation in Christ, with its demand for transformation of life.
- 2:13 The blessed hope, the appearance: literally, “the blessed hope and appearance,” but the use of a single article in Greek strongly suggests an epexegetical, i.e., explanatory sense. Of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ: another possible translation is “of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”
- 3:1–8 The list of Christian duties continues from Ti 2:9–10, undergirded again as in Ti 2:11–13 by appeal to what God in Christ has done (Ti 2:4–7; cf. Ti 2:11–14). The spiritual renewal of the Cretans, signified in God’s merciful gift of baptism (Ti 3:4–7), should be reflected in their improved attitude toward civil authority and in their Christian relationship with all (Ti 3:1–3).
- 3:1 Magistrates and authorities: some interpreters understand these terms as referring to the principalities and powers of the heavenly hierarchy. To be open to every good enterprise: this implies being good citizens. It could also be translated “ready to do every sort of good work” (as Christians); cf. Ti 3:14.
- 3:8–11 In matters of good conduct and religious doctrine, Titus is to stand firm.
- 3:9 See note on 1 Tm 6:20–21.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.