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Titus 1

BSB·16 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos — small; humbleG3972 — Full Word Study →, a servantδοῦλοςdoulos — Slave; servant in bondage or serviceG1401 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → andδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → an apostleἀπόστολοςapostolos — One sent as an official messenger or delegateG652 — Full Word Study → of JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → forκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → the faith of God’sΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → electἐκλεκτῶνeklektōn — chosen, elect, selected by GodG1588 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → their knowledge of the truth thatτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → leads toκατ’kat’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → godlinessεὐσέβειανeusebeian — Godliness; reverent devotion to GodG2150 — Full Word Study →, 2inἐπ’ep’ — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → the hope of eternalαἰωνίουaiōniou — eternal, everlasting, foreverG166 — Full Word Study → lifeζωῆςzōēs — Life, living existence, vitalityG2222 — Full Word Study →, whichἣνhēn — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, who cannot lieἀψευδὴςapseudēs — incapable of lying; truthfulG893 — Full Word Study →, promisedἐπηγγείλατοepēngeilato — to promise, profess, or claim openlyG1861 — Full Word Study → beforeπρὸpro — before (in time or place)G4253 — Full Word Study → timeχρόνωνchronōn — A period of time; duration or seasonG5550 — Full Word Study → beganαἰωνίωνaiōniōn — eternal, everlasting, foreverG166 — Full Word Study →. 3In His own timeκαιροῖςkairois — The right or appointed time; a season or opportunityG2540 — Full Word Study → He has madeἐφανέρωσενephanerōsen — To reveal, make manifest, or display openlyG5319 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → word evident inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the proclamation entrustedἐπιστεύθηνepisteuthēn — to believe, trust, have faith inG4100 — Full Word Study → to meἐγὼegō — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → byκατ’kat’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → the command of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → SaviorΣωτῆροςSōtēros — One who saves; deliverer; rescuerG4990 — Full Word Study →. 4To TitusΤίτῳTitō — Honorable, respectedG5103 — Full Word Study →, my true childτέκνῳteknō — child; offspring; son or daughterG5043 — Full Word Study → inκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → our common faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →: GraceΧάριςCharis — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → peaceεἰρήνηeirēnē — Peace; absence of conflict; inner tranquilityG1515 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → the Father andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → SaviorΣωτῆροςSōtēros — One who saves; deliverer; rescuerG4990 — Full Word Study →. 5The reasonχάρινcharin — because of, for the sake of, on account ofG5484 — Full Word Study → I leftἀπέλιπόνapelipon — to leave behind, abandon, or remainG620 — Full Word Study → youσεse — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → CreteΚρήτῃKrētē — Mediterranean islandG2914 — Full Word Study → was that you would set in orderἐπιδιορθώσῃepidiorthōsē — to set in order, arrange, restoreG1930 — Full Word Study → what wasτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → unfinishedλείπονταleiponta — to leave behind, to be lacking or deficientG3007 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → appointκαταστήσῃςkatastēsēs — to appoint, ordain, or constitute in an officeG2525 — Full Word Study → eldersπρεσβυτέρουςpresbyterous — An elder; one who is older or senior in authorityG4245 — Full Word Study → in everyκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → townπόλινpolin — A city; a populated urban centerG4172 — Full Word Study →, asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → Iἐγώegō — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → directedδιεταξάμηνdietaxamēn — to arrange, order, command, appointG1299 — Full Word Study → youσοιsoi — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 6An elder must beἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → blamelessἀνέγκλητοςanenklētos — Blameless, beyond accusation, irreproachableG410 — Full Word Study →, the husband of but oneμιᾶςmias — one, a single unit, unifiedG1520 — Full Word Study → wifeγυναικὸςgynaikos — woman; wife; female personG1135 — Full Word Study →, havingἔχωνechōn — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → childrenτέκναtekna — child; offspring; son or daughterG5043 — Full Word Study → who are believersπιστάpista — Faithful, trustworthy, reliableG4103 — Full Word Study → and who are not open toἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → accusationκατηγορίᾳkatēgoria — charge brought against someone; accusation or complaintG2724 — Full Word Study → of indiscretionἀσωτίαςasōtias — reckless indulgence, dissolute behavior, debaucheryG810 — Full Word Study → orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → insubordinationἀνυπότακταanypotakta — Insubordinate, rebellious, not subject to authorityG506 — Full Word Study →. 7Asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → God’sΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → stewardοἰκονόμονoikonomon — Household manager; steward; one entrusted with administrationG3623 — Full Word Study →, an overseerἐπίσκοπονepiskopon — overseer, guardian, supervisorG1985 — Full Word Study → mustΔεῖDei — it is necessary, must, oughtG1163 — Full Word Study → beεἶναιeinai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → above reproachἀνέγκλητονanenklēton — Blameless, beyond accusation, irreproachableG410 — Full Word Study →notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → self-absorbed, notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → quick-temperedὀργίλονorgilon — Quick-tempered; prone to angerG3711 — Full Word Study →, notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → given to drunkennessπάροινονparoinon — characterized by drunkenness; addicted to wineG3943 — Full Word Study →, notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → violentπλήκτηνplēktēn — one who strikes; a violent personG4131 — Full Word Study →, notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → greedy for moneyαἰσχροκερδῆaischrokerdē — Greedy for dishonest gain; lovers of moneyG146 — Full Word Study →. 8Insteadἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, he must be hospitable, a lover of goodφιλάγαθονphilagathon — lover of good; one who loves what is goodG5358 — Full Word Study →, self-controlledσώφροναsōphrona — Self-controlled, temperate, sensibleG4998 — Full Word Study →, uprightδίκαιονdikaion — righteous, just, morally uprightG1342 — Full Word Study →, holyὅσιονhosion — holy, sacred, devout, mercifulG3741 — Full Word Study →, and disciplined. 9He must hold firmlyἀντεχόμενονantechomenon — to hold fast, cling to, or support steadfastlyG472 — Full Word Study → to theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → faithfulπιστοῦpistou — Faithful, trustworthy, reliableG4103 — Full Word Study → wordλόγουlogou — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → asκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → it was taughtδιδαχὴνdidachēn — Teaching, doctrine, instructionG1322 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → he canē — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → encourage others byἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → soundὑγιαινούσῃhygiainousē — to be healthy; to be sound or wholeG5198 — Full Word Study → teachingδιδασκαλίᾳdidaskalia — instruction, doctrine, or authoritative teachingG1319 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → refuteἐλέγχεινelenchein — To convict, rebuke, or expose wrongdoingG1651 — Full Word Study → those whoτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → contradict it. 10Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → manyπολλοὶpolloi — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → areΕἰσὶνEisin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → rebelliousἀνυπότακτοιanypotaktoi — Insubordinate, rebellious, not subject to authorityG506 — Full Word Study → and‹καὶ›kai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → full of empty talkματαιολόγοιmataiologoi — idle talker, babbler, or foolish speakerG3151 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → deceptionφρεναπάταιphrenapatai — One who deceives by flattery or delusionG5423 — Full Word Study →, especiallyμάλισταmalista — especially, particularly, most of allG3122 — Full Word Study → thoseοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ofἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → circumcisionπεριτομῆςperitomēs — Circumcision; the cutting away of the foreskinG4061 — Full Word Study →, 11whoοὓςhous — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → mustδεῖdei — it is necessary, must, oughtG1163 — Full Word Study → be silencedἐπιστομίζεινepistomizein — to silence, stop the mouth, muzzleG1993 — Full Word Study →. For the sake of dishonorableαἰσχροῦaischrou — shameful, dishonorable, morally indecentG150 — Full Word Study → gainκέρδουςkerdous — profit, gain, or advantage obtained through effort or transactionG2771 — Full Word Study →, they undermineἀνατρέπουσινanatrepousin — to overturn, subvert, or destroyG396 — Full Word Study → entireὅλουςholous — whole, entire, all, completeG3650 — Full Word Study → householdsοἴκουςoikous — A dwelling place; house or householdG3624 — Full Word Study → and teach thingsha — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → they shouldδεῖdei — it is necessary, must, oughtG1163 — Full Word Study → notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study →. 12As one ofἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → ownἴδιοςidios — one's own; private; personalG2398 — Full Word Study → prophetsπροφήτηςprophētēs — One who speaks for God; a messenger of divine truthG4396 — Full Word Study → has saidεἶπένeipen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →, “CretansΚρῆτεςKrētes — Cretan personG2912 — Full Word Study → are always liarsψεῦσταιpseustai — One who speaks falsehood; deceiverG5583 — Full Word Study →, evilκακὰkaka — evil, wicked, bad, morally corruptG2556 — Full Word Study → beastsθηρίαthēria — wild beast, dangerous animalG2342 — Full Word Study →, lazyἀργαίargai — idle, unproductive, inactiveG692 — Full Word Study → gluttonsγαστέρεςgasteres — belly, stomach, or wombG1064 — Full Word Study →.” 13Thisαὕτηhautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → testimonyμαρτυρίαmartyria — Formal testimony or witness givenG3141 — Full Word Study → isἐστὶνestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → trueἀληθήςalēthēs — genuine, true, authentic, realG227 — Full Word Study →. Thereforeαἰτίανaitian — Cause, charge, or accusationG156 — Full Word Study → rebukeἔλεγχεelenche — To convict, rebuke, or expose wrongdoingG1651 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοὺςautous — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → sternlyἀποτόμωςapotomōs — sharply, severely, with strictnessG664 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → they will be soundὑγιαίνωσινhygiainōsin — to be healthy; to be sound or wholeG5198 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → faithπίστειpistei — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → 14and will pay no attention to JewishἸουδαϊκοῖςIoudaikois — JewishG2451 — Full Word Study → mythsμύθοιςmythois — Fabricated story; fictional taleG3454 — Full Word Study → or to the commands of menἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → who have rejectedἀποστρεφομένωνapostrephomenōn — to turn away, avert, rejectG654 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → truthἀλήθειανalētheian — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study →. 15To theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → pureκαθαροῖςkatharois — clean, pure, uncontaminatedG2513 — Full Word Study →, all things are pureκαθαρὰkathara — clean, pure, uncontaminatedG2513 — Full Word Study →; butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → to theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → defiledμεμιαμμένοιςmemiammenois — to stain or defile; to make uncleanG3392 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → unbelievingἀπίστοιςapistois — Unbelieving, faithless, without trustG571 — Full Word Study →, nothingοὐδὲνouden — no one, nothing, none at allG3762 — Full Word Study → is pure. Indeedἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, bothκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → mindsνοῦςnous — The mind; one's thinking faculty or understandingG3563 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → their consciencesσυνείδησιςsyneidēsis — Conscience; inner moral awarenessG4893 — Full Word Study → are defiledμεμίανταιmemiantai — to stain or defile; to make uncleanG3392 — Full Word Study →. 16They professὁμολογοῦσινhomologousin — To confess, profess, or openly acknowledgeG3670 — Full Word Study → to knowεἰδέναιeidenai — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → by their actionsἔργοιςergois — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → they deny Him. They areὄντεςontes — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → detestableβδελυκτοὶbdelyktoi — Detestable; worthy of abhorrenceG947 — Full Word Study →, disobedientἀπειθεῖςapeitheis — Disobedient, refusing to obey or complyG545 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → unfitἀδόκιμοιadokimoi — Rejected; failing the test; disqualifiedG96 — Full Word Study → forπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → anyπᾶνpan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → goodἀγαθὸνagathon — good, beneficial, morally excellentG18 — Full Word Study → deedἔργονergon — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Titus 1
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Paul writes to Titus, his trusted associate, to instruct him on how to establish godly leadership in the churches of Crete. This letter addresses the critical need for qualified elders and bishops who embody Christian character and can defend sound doctrine against false teachers. The chapter reveals that healthy churches depend not merely on correct beliefs, but on leaders whose lives demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel and whose teaching protects the flock from deception and spiritual harm.

Verses 1-4: Paul's Greeting and Authority

Paul opens by describing himself as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, rooting his authority not in human appointment but in divine commission. He emphasizes that his apostolic calling serves the faith of God's elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness—that is, the salvation of believers and their growth into holy living. The reference to eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (verse 2) anchors the gospel in God's eternal counsel and unshakeable truthfulness. In verse 3, Paul notes that this promise has been manifested in due times—revealing God's perfect timing in history and redemption. The greeting to Titus in verse 4 as mine own son after the common faith expresses deep spiritual affection and shared convictions. The blessing of grace, mercy, and peace reflects the fullness of the Christian's standing before God.

Application: We serve a God whose promises never fail. Our leadership and ministry derive authority not from credentials or personality, but from alignment with God's eternal purposes.

Verses 5-9: Qualifications for Elders and Bishops

Paul explains why he left Titus in Crete: to set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city (verse 5). The qualifications listed in verses 6-8 are remarkably practical. An elder must be blameless—not sinless, but living with integrity and genuine Christian reputation. The husband of one wife speaks to marital faithfulness and stability. Faithful children not accused of riot or unruly shows that leadership credibility extends to family life. Verses 7-8 further specify that a bishop must avoid being selfwilled, soon angry, given to wine, a striker, or given to filthy lucre, while actively embodying hospitality, love of good men, sobriety, justice, holiness, and temperance. These are not oppressive demands but evidence that spiritual maturity produces visible, Christlike character. Verse 9 emphasizes that such a leader must hold 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. In other words, elders are guardians of truth who lovingly correct and defend the faith against false teachers.

Application: Christian leadership is not about power or prestige, but about trustworthy character and doctrinal faithfulness. Character and doctrine cannot be separated.

Verses 10-16: False Teachers and the Need for Sharp Rebuke

Paul identifies the problem: many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision (verse 10)—likely Judaizers demanding adherence to Old Testament laws. These false teachers subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake (verse 11). Paul even quotes a Cretan proverb in verse 12: The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. While this may seem harsh, Paul's point is serious: the cultural climate of Crete required uncompromising defense of truth. Verse 13 directs Titus to rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. This is not cruelty but pastoral necessity. Verses 14-16 describe these false teachers' spiritual condition: they cling to Jewish fables and commandments of men, and though they profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, showing that their minds and consciences are defiled by unbelief.

Application: Truth matters eternally. Pastors and church leaders must lovingly but firmly contend for sound doctrine and reject teaching that contradicts Scripture, no matter how popular or well-intended it appears.

Application for Today

Titus reminds us that the church thrives when led by mature, faithful believers whose character and doctrine are inseparable. In an age of doctrinal confusion and moral compromise, we need leaders who hold fast to God's Word and lovingly guide their flocks toward holiness and truth. May we pray for, support, and follow such leaders—and may God grant us wisdom to recognize and gently correct false teaching in our churches.

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