Good Works, Salvation by God's Mercy, and Warnings Against Division
Titus 3:1-11
Titus.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Υπομιμνησκε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- αρχαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εξουσιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υποτασσεσθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- πειθαρχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ετοιμους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Romans 13:1-2 (verbal): Explicitly teaches submission to governing authorities and that rulers are instituted by God, closely matching Titus’ injunction to be subject to rulers and obedient.
- 1 Peter 2:13-15 (verbal): Commands Christians to submit to every human institution for the Lord’s sake and to silence ignorance by doing good—paralleling Titus’ call to obey authorities and be ready for every good work.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (thematic): Urges prayers for kings and all in authority so Christians may live peaceful and quiet lives—complementary to Titus’ emphasis on orderly conduct toward rulers and readiness for good deeds.
- Titus 2:7-8 (structural): In the same letter Paul charges believers (and leaders) to be examples in good works and sound teaching, reinforcing Titus 3:1’s combined concern for conduct and readiness for good works.
- Matthew 5:16 (thematic): Jesus’ admonition that believers’ good works should shine before others so God is glorified connects thematically to Titus’ stress on being ready for every good work as witness to righteous conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, and to be ready for every good work.
- Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, ready for every good work,
Titus.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδενα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- βλασφημειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αμαχους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επιεικεις: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ενδεικνυμενους: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,m,acc,pl
- πραυτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ανθρωπους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Titus 2:2 (structural): Within the same letter: exhortation to older men to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and patience parallels Titus 3:2's commands about demeanor and conduct.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (thematic): Lists 'gentleness' (πραΰτης) as a fruit of the Spirit—aligns with Titus 3:2's call to gentleness and mildness in Christian character.
- Colossians 3:12-13 (verbal): Commands believers to 'put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience' and to forgive—verbal and ethical overlap with humility, meekness, and gentle treatment of all in Titus 3:2.
- Ephesians 4:31-32 (verbal): Urges putting away bitterness and being kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another—parallels Titus 3:2's injunctions to speak no evil, be gentle, and show humility toward all.
- Romans 12:17-18 (thematic): 'Repay no one evil for evil' and 'if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all' echo Titus 3:2's commands to blaspheme no one, be peaceable and gentle toward everyone.
Alternative generated candidates
- To speak ill of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every humility toward all people.
- to speak ill of no one, to avoid quarrels, to be gentle, showing perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ημεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- γαρ: PART
- ποτε: ADV
- και: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- ανοητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- απειθεις: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- πλανωμενοι: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- δουλευοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- επιθυμιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ηδοναις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ποικιλαις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- κακια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- φθονω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- διαγοντες: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- στυγητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- μισουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 2:1-3 (thematic): Describes believers' former condition—dead in trespasses, following the cravings of the flesh and the mind, children of wrath—paralleling 'once we were foolish, disobedient... serving lusts and pleasures.'
- Romans 1:21-32 (thematic): Catalogue of moral/depraved behavior and a 'foolish' heart given over to unrighteousness and deception, echoing Titus' language of folly, disobedience, and various sins.
- Colossians 3:5-8 (verbal): Uses near-verbatim categories—sexual passion, evil desire/covetousness, anger, malice, slander—matching Titus' list of lusts, pleasures, malice, envy, and mutual hatred.
- Galatians 5:19-21 (verbal): Lists the 'works of the flesh' (sexual immorality, envy, jealousy, fits of anger, etc.), closely paralleling Titus' enumeration of sinful behaviors and dispositions.
- 1 John 2:16 (allusion): Summarizes human sin as 'lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life,' resonating with Titus' emphasis on being driven by various desires and pleasures before conversion.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
- For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Titus.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτε: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χρηστοτης: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- φιλανθρωπια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- επεφανη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωτηρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Titus 2:11 (verbal): Both speak of God's saving manifestation—Titus 3:4 ('the goodness and lovingkindness… appeared') echoes Titus 2:11's language that the grace of God bringing salvation has appeared to all people.
- 2 Timothy 1:10 (verbal): Uses the language of revelation/appearing of the Savior ('now revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus'), closely paralleling the theme and terminology of Titus 3:4.
- Romans 2:4 (thematic): Highlights God's 'kindness' (χρηστότης/πλοῦτος χρηστότητος) as the motive toward repentance and salvation, resonating with Titus 3:4's emphasis on God's goodness and lovingkindness.
- 1 John 4:9 (thematic): Speaks of God's love being manifested in sending the Son—parallel to Titus 3:4's declaration that God's lovingkindness/goodness has appeared in the saving work of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared,
- But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
Titus.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- δικαιοσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εποιησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- αλλα: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ελεος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εσωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- δια: PREP
- λουτρου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- παλιγγενεσιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ανακαινωσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (verbal): Explicit denial that salvation is by works and affirmation that it is by grace/faith—parallels Titus 3:5's 'not by works of righteousness... but according to his mercy.'
- Romans 3:24-26 (thematic): Emphasizes justification and salvation as God's act of grace/mercy rather than human achievement, resonating with Titus' contrast between human works and divine mercy.
- John 3:5 (verbal): Jesus' language of being 'born of water and the Spirit' corresponds to Titus' 'washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,' linking water/Spirit imagery with spiritual rebirth.
- 1 Peter 3:21 (allusion): Describes baptism as saving 'through the resurrection' and as a pledge of a good conscience—parallels Titus' emphasis on washing/regeneration as the means of salvation rather than works.
- Titus 2:14 (thematic): Speaks of Christ giving himself 'to purify for himself a people'—connects with Titus 3:5's theme of purification/regeneration wrought by God's action, not human righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- he saved us—not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy—by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
- he saved us—not because of deeds of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, by the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Titus.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- εξεχεεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εφ᾽ημας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl
- πλουσιως: ADV
- δια: PREP
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωτηρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Joel 2:28-29 (allusion): The prophetic promise “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” underlies NT language of the Spirit’s outpouring that Titus echoes (the outpouring of the Spirit on believers).
- Acts 2:33 (quotation): At Pentecost Peter says God has 'poured out' the Holy Spirit through/exalted Jesus — an early fulfillment language that directly parallels Titus' statement that the Spirit was poured out through Jesus Christ.
- Acts 10:45 (thematic): At Cornelius’ conversion 'the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out' on Gentiles — parallels Titus’ emphasis that the Spirit is poured out upon 'us' (including Gentile believers) and underscores universal outpouring.
- Romans 5:5 (verbal): Paul uses the same poured-out imagery (ἐκκέχυται) of God’s love being poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit — a similar verbal and theological image of divine inward outpouring.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (structural): The Spirit is given/sealed to believers 'in Christ' as a promised gift and guarantee — parallels Titus' linking of the Spirit’s rich outpouring with 'through Jesus Christ our Savior.'
Alternative generated candidates
- whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
- whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- δικαιωθεντες: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εκεινου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- κληρονομοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- γενηθωμεν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,1,pl
- κατ᾽ελπιδα: PREP,acc,sg,f
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αιωνιου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 5:1-2 (thematic): Both passages connect justification by God's favor (grace/faith) with having access to God's grace and boasting in the hope of glory/eternal life—linking justification and Christian hope.
- Romans 8:17 (thematic): Speaks of believers as children and therefore heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, paralleling Titus' language of becoming heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (verbal): Links reception of God's grace/Spirit with being sealed and given a guarantee (earnest) of our inheritance—parallels Titus' connection between justification by grace and future inheritance (eternal life).
- 1 Peter 1:3-5 (thematic): Describes salvation as God's mercy bringing a living hope and an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven, closely echoing the hope of eternal life and inheritance language in Titus 3:7.
- Titus 3:4-6 (structural): Immediate context: explains that salvation/justification is not by works but by God's mercy, regeneration, and the Spirit—providing the basis for the claim in 3:7 that we are justified by his grace and made heirs.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
- so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- περι: PREP
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- βουλομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- διαβεβαιουσθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- φροντιζωσιν: VERB,pres,act,sub,3,pl
- καλων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- προιστασθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πεπιστευκοτες: PART,perf,act,nom,pl,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καλα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- ωφελιμα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ανθρωποις·: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 1:15 (verbal): Uses the same stock formula 'Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος' ('Faithful is the word'), echoing the opening affirmation that what follows is trustworthy.
- Titus 2:7-8 (verbal): Within the same letter Paul urges believers (and leaders) to be 'a pattern of good works,' directly paralleling the call for those who believe to devote themselves to good deeds.
- Ephesians 2:10 (thematic): States believers are created in Christ for good works, thematically aligning with Titus' emphasis that faith should result in beneficial actions.
- James 2:14-17 (thematic): Addresses the relationship between faith and works, highlighting the necessity that genuine belief be evidenced by good deeds—similar to Titus' insistence that believers be careful to engage in good works.
- 1 Timothy 6:18 (verbal): Paul instructs Timothy to command the wealthy to be 'rich in good works' (πλουτεῖν ἐν καλῶν ἔργων), echoing the pastoral imperative to pursue good and useful actions for people.
Alternative generated candidates
- This saying is trustworthy; I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have believed God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are good and profitable for people.
- The saying is trustworthy, and I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have believed God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Titus.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μωρας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- ζητησεις: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- γενεαλογιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ερεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- μαχας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- νομικας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- περιιστασο: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- ανωφελεις: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ματαιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 1:3-4 (verbal): Paul warns Timothy to charge certain persons not to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies—directly parallels Titus 3:9’s prohibition of genealogies and useless speculations.
- 2 Timothy 2:14-16 (verbal): Paul admonishes against quarrelling about words and useless discussions that lead to ruin, echoing Titus 3:9’s rejection of foolish controversies and law‑quarrels as unprofitable.
- 2 Timothy 2:23 (verbal): “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies, knowing that they breed quarrels” closely parallels the language and concern of Titus 3:9.
- Titus 1:10-11 (thematic): Warnings about many rebellious people engaging in vain talk and subverting households relate thematically to Titus 3:9’s critique of unprofitable and vain disputes.
- Titus 3:10 (structural): The immediate context—rejecting a divisive person after a first and second warning—flows from the same concern in 3:9 to avoid destructive controversies and quarrels.
Alternative generated candidates
- But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
- But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Titus.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αιρετικον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δευτεραν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- νουθεσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παραιτου: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Romans 16:17 (thematic): Paul urges believers to note those who cause divisions and avoid them — a parallel instruction to refuse association with disruptive or heretical persons.
- 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (thematic): Warnings against teachers who promote false doctrine and the command to withdraw from such people echo Titus’ call to reject a factious person after warning.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14 (verbal): If someone does not obey the apostolic instruction, Paul tells the community to note him and have no company with him — a direct, practical form of avoidance similar to Titus 3:10.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (structural): Jesus’ procedure for confronting sin—private admonition, escalation, and eventual exclusion from the community—provides the broader disciplinary framework reflected in Titus’ instruction to reject an unrepentant troublemaker.
- 2 John 1:10-11 (thematic): The warning not to receive or support itinerant false teachers parallels Titus’ prohibition against further association with a heretical person after repeated admonition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Warn a divisive person once, and then a second time; after that have nothing more to do with him,
- As for a person who stirs up division, after a first and second warning have nothing more to do with him,
Titus.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εξεστραπται: VERB,perf,mp,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τοιουτος: DEM,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αμαρτανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- αυτοκατακριτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 2:1 (verbal): Uses the same idea of self-condemnation when one judges or sins—'in that you judge another you condemn yourself,' echoing Titus' 'being condemned of himself.'
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): Addresses a believer 'overtaken in a fault' and the community response; parallels Titus' concern for one who has been led astray and sinneth.
- 2 Timothy 2:25-26 (thematic): Speaks of correcting opponents gently so they may repent and escape the snare of the devil—related to Titus' picture of someone subverted and in need of restoration.
- 1 Timothy 1:19-20 (allusion): Mentions individuals who 'made shipwreck of faith' and were delivered over (Hymenaeus and Alexander), comparable to Titus' judgment that such persons are subverted and under condemnation.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (structural): Prescribes steps for dealing with an unrepentant sinner in the community (admonition, exclusion), reflecting the pastoral handling implied by Titus' verdict on the incorrigible person.
Alternative generated candidates
- knowing that such a person is warped and sinful—he is self-condemned.
- knowing that such a one is warped and sinning, self-condemned.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready for every good work.
To speak ill of no one, to avoid quarrels, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving‑kindness of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—by the washing that brings rebirth and by the renewal of the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God may be careful to apply themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable for all people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and worthless.
As for a person who stirs up division, after a first and second warning have nothing more to do with him,
knowing that such a person has been warped and stands self‑condemned.