1Paul, 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;2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.5For 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:6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.7For 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;8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;9Holding 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.10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.15Unto 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.16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 1
English Standard Version
Greeting
1Paul, a servant[1] of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, (2Co 1:1; 1Ti 2:4; 1Ti 6:3)2in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began[2] (Nu 23:19; Ro 1:2; 2Ti 1:1; 2Ti 1:9; 2Ti 2:13; Tit 2:13; Tit 3:7; Heb 6:18; Heb 9:15)3and at the proper time manifested in his word[3] through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; (Ro 10:14; 1Ti 1:1; 1Ti 1:11; 1Ti 2:6)4To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (1Ti 1:2; 2Pe 1:1; 3Jo 1:4; Jud 1:3)
Qualifications for Elders
5This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— (Ac 14:23; 1Ti 1:3; 2Ti 2:2)6if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[4] and his children are believers[5] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. (Eph 5:18; 1Ti 3:2)7For an overseer,[6] as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, (Lu 12:42; 1Co 4:1; 1Ti 3:8; 1Pe 4:10; 1Pe 5:2; 2Pe 2:10)8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. (1Co 9:25)9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[7] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (2Th 2:13; 2Th 2:15; 1Ti 1:10; 1Ti 1:15; 2Ti 1:13)10For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.[8] (Ac 11:2; 1Ti 1:6)11They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. (1Ti 6:5; 2Ti 3:6; 2Pe 2:3)12One of the Cretans,[9] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”[10] (Ac 17:28)13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, (2Co 13:10; 1Ti 5:20; Tit 2:1; Tit 2:15)14not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. (Col 2:22; 1Ti 1:4; 1Ti 6:20)15To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. (Lu 11:41; Ac 10:15; Ro 14:23; 1Ti 4:3; 1Ti 6:5)16They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (1Ti 5:8; 2Ti 3:8; 1Jo 2:4)