1 Remind them to follow what rulers tell them to do, and to obey authorities. They should always be ready to do what is good. 2 They should not speak badly about anyone, and they should not be argumentative. Tell them to show gentleness and kindness to everyone. 3 For there was a time when we too were foolish and disobedient. We were deceived and slaves to various desires and pleasures. We lived wicked lives full of jealousy, hateful people hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and love of God our Savior was revealed, he saved us, 5 not because of anything good that we've done, but because of his mercy. He did this through the cleansing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Now that we are set right by his grace we have become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 You can trust what I'm saying, and I want you to emphasize these instructions so that those who trust in God will think seriously about them and continue to do good. They are excellent and helpful for everyone. 9 Avoid pointless discussions, and obsessions about ancestry. Don't get into arguments, and avoid fights over the Jewish laws—they're useless and don't help at all. 10 Warn someone who is divisive once, and then again—after that don't pay them any attention, 11 realizing that they're perverse and sinful and have condemned themselves. 12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, try and come to me at Nicopolis because I'm planning to spend the winter there. 13 Do all you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that they have everything they need. 14 May our people learn the habit of doing good in providing for the daily needs of others. They need to be productive! 15 Everyone here with me sends their greetings. Give our best wishes to those who love us, those who trust in God. May grace be with you all.
Titus 3 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Artemas
One whom Paul planned to send to Titus in Crete, or Tychicus, so Titus could come to Paul at Nicopolis.
Cited in the guide: Titus 3:12
Zenas
A lawyer whom Paul asks Titus to send on his way with Apollos, supplied with everything they need.
Cited in the guide: Titus 3:13
Cross references (15)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Ecclesiastes 10:4; Galatians 6:9–10; Proverbs 24:21
- 2 Ephesians 4:31; 2 Timothy 2:24–25; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12–13; 1 Timothy 3:3
- 3 Ephesians 2:1–3; Colossians 1:21; Romans 6:17; Colossians 3:7; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
- 4 Ephesians 2:4–10; Titus 2:10–11; 1 Timothy 4:10; Romans 5:20–21; Romans 2:4
- 5 Ephesians 2:8–9; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 3:21
- 6 Joel 2:28; Romans 5:5; Acts 10:45; Ezekiel 36:25; Isaiah 44:3
- 7 Romans 8:17; Titus 2:11; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 1:2
- 8 Titus 3:14; Titus 2:14; Titus 1:9; Psalm 16:2–3; Titus 3:1
- 9 2 Timothy 2:14; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 1:14; 2 Timothy 2:16
- 10 Romans 16:17; 2 John 10; Matthew 18:15–17; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:14
- 11 Hebrews 10:26; Luke 19:22; John 3:18; Matthew 25:26–28; Acts 15:24
- 12 2 Timothy 4:9; Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:21; 1 Corinthians 16:8–9; 2 Timothy 4:12
- 13 Acts 18:24; 3 John 6–8; Matthew 22:35; Acts 28:10; Luke 7:30
- 14 Colossians 1:10; Titus 3:8; Matthew 7:19; Philippians 1:11; Luke 13:6–9
- 15 Colossians 4:18; 2 John 1–2; Ephesians 6:23–24; Galatians 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:2
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Having spoken of the love of God to man, of His ineffable regard for us, of what we were and what He has done for us, he has added, "These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works"; that is, Discourse of these things, and from a …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 13 (1889)
Ye never grudged any act of kindness, being "ready to every good work." Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, ye did all things in the fear of God.
But as many as separate from the Church, and give heed to such old wives' fables as these, are truly self-condemned; and these men Paul commands us, "after a first and second admonition, to avoid." And John, the disciple of the Lord, has intensified their condemnation, when he desires us not even to address to them the salutation of "good-speed;" …
… "Now I know in part, but then shall I know, even as also I am known; and now through a glass in a riddle, but then face to face." For the same apostle also says that we have been saved by the washing of regeneration, and yet declares in another place, "We are saved by hope: but hope that is …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)
Therefore Paul also said to Timothy, "Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words;" and again in another place, "From such turn away," and, "A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject." It is not, you see, that those truths furnish them with armor, but they become fools in this …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)