Titus 1

 

1 Paul, who willingly belongs to God and is an apostle and follower of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of Jesus Christ, to those who are called and have acknowledged the truth, that is according to His life and Godlikeness,

Titus

2 In the (sure) hope of eternal life, (the life and immortality we see in Jesus Christ), which God, who cannot lie, (got down on one knee and) promised (us) before the world came into being;

 

3 But who now in the fullness of time has revealed His word (of promise) through  (the word made immortal flesh in Christ Jesus) declaring (the faith and the hope of the gospel to all people), which I have been entrusted and am compelled to declare according to the will of God our Savior;

 

4 To Ti’tus, my true son in the faith (that is revealed in Jesus Christ): (His) Grace (which influences our heart, that it is by His strength alone that we will share in His life, where He will show us kindness for all the ages to come) and (which puts our flesh to rest from all our labors) giving us the true peace, (that can only come) from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

 

5 For this reason, I had you stay behind in Crete, so that you might set in order the things that are lacking, by selecting men of good judgment (and sound doctrine) as elders in every city, as I directed you:

 

6 If you might find those who are beyond reproach (free of accusation), the husband of one wife, whose children are attentive to the faith, not seen as riotous or disobedient.

 

7 Because it is fitting (and makes the most sense) for an overseer to be beyond reproach, as he is the guardian (over the affairs) of the household of God; as not to be self-willed (but one who prefers others), not easily angered (but peaceful, not inclined to (the abuse of) wine (or strong drink), not a contentious person (but a peacemaker), not one who is predisposed (and overtaken) with a greedy desire for gain (of power or money).

 

8 But one who (being born of God and the fruit of His life) is a lover of strangers, having generosity toward all men, a lover of that which is good (seeing all men as innocent), upright, beloved, reverent toward God, gentle and pleasant;

 

9 Holding close to his heart the faithful (and sure) word (of our Lord Jesus) as he has been taught (by us), that he may be able by (the) sound doctrine (found in Christ) to both encourage and bring the truth to light, exposing the error of those who oppose the faith.

 

10 For there are many who are rebellious (refusing to submit to Christ, who is the teaching and instruction of God unto life) they speak empty and idle words (that can never produce eternal life) and are seducers (who want to exert control over men to bring them into bondage), especially those (who have confidence in their flesh) of the circumcision:

 

11 Whose (voices) it is incumbent upon us to silence, (seeing as) they have overthrown the faith of entire households, teaching things which (appeal to men’s lust for life through the strength contained in their flesh) disgraceful things that have no bases in the truth (in Christ) which they should not teach as such, so that they might gather to themselves gain (of power or money).

 

12 One of the Cre’ti-ans own poets said of them, the Cre’ti-ans are prone to repeat lies, harmful (wild) animals, and idle gluttons (who desire to do nothing but feed their flesh).

 

13 This reputation sure seems accurate. For that reason, correct them sharply (with the truth that is unto edification and not destruction), so that they may be grounded (in Christ, being persuaded by) the faith;

 

14 Not giving consideration to Jewish fables (that come from those false teachers), and to commandments from men (who have confidence in the flesh), that turn from, and are contrary to (the faith and disregard) the truth.

 

15 To the pure (in heart, who see the Father's desire in Christ to serve them with His indestructible life) all things are pure (and undefiled and their conscience is cleansed from the blood that ran out of Christ, sanctifying them from death): but to those who are defiled (by death) and unbelieving (that their death has been sent away in Christ) nothing is pure; but even their (heart), mind and conscience is defiled (by death).

 

16 They proclaim that they know God; but in (establishing) their own works they deny Him (not walking in His good work), being abominable (they make their own works their god), refusing to be persuaded of the truth (of His good work to give them blessing and life as a gift), and all their works (to gather to themselves eternal life) are (impotent and) completely worthless (in their ability to do so).