Titus Chapter 1

 Introduction:

The letter/Epistle to Titus was written in approximately A.D 66. The journeys of Paul are well documented and show that he wrote to Titus from Nicopolis in Epirus. The Epistle to Titus is known as one of the Pastoral Epistles just as the two letters to Timothy. Paul encourages his brother in faith, Titus, whom he had left in Crete to lead the church which Paul had established on one of his missionary journeys. This letter advised Titus regarding what qualifications to look for, in Elders for the church. HE warned gainst converted Judaists who want to keep part of Moses' law with the gospels of salvation. 

TITUS 1

Introduction: Faith in Christ for salvation is the only universal highest common factor 

1. Paul, a chosen servant of God, also an Apostle (sent one) according to faith unto Jesus Christ and full discernment of the Truth according to piousness/piety which is of God.

2. upon the pleasurable-hope of Eternal Life, and the veracity of things which God has promised before the eternal space of time;

3. which also has been made manifest, in HIS own set-time, by proclamation of HIS words, according to the decree/authoritativenes of God, in which, I have Faith unto our Savior. 

4. To Titus, a legitimate/true-born child by common Faith, according to Peace with God the FATHER, and Grace from Christ Jesus, the Saviour.

The Qualities of a church-leader 

5. By this grace, I left you behind in CRETE (Mediterranean island), at least to set in order, things that are lacking, and to appoint Elders in every towns, as I have directed you. 

6. If any man is blameless, husband of one wife, having faithful children, not in category of crime of progligacy or being unruly/rebellious,

7. because, a Bishop (Overseer) ought to be blameless, as God's house-manager; not self pleasing, not irascible/easily angered, not wine addicted, not a bully/violent man, not a profiteer (greedy/make excessive profit)

8. but, hospitable (who like guests), promoter of good qualities, of sound mind (moderate in opinion), righteous, merciful/peaceful man, disciplined/self-controlled (abstainer);

Responsibility of the leader is to sharply teach sound doctrine of Grace and will never support disgraceful conducts

9. Holding fast to faithful words according to the things that has been taught and at least, able to exhort in sound/hygienic teachings, and convince those who will contradict it.

10 Because even many are insubordinate/rebellious for unreasonable/vain reasons and of misled-mindset, especially those from circumcision (Judaism line of thought), 

11. whose mouth must be silenced, some of which subvert the whole household by teaching a grace (charin) which must not be for base/filthy-gain (shameful profit).

12. A certain prophet/speaker from them, speak on his own: that CRETIANS (inhabitants of Crete) are forever liars, an idle dangerous-beast with belly of evil things.

13. This testimony is true; and because of this reason/cause, convict/refute them sharply, at least, for them to be sound/hygienic in Faith.

Beware of Jewish commandments

14. Do not pay attention/watch out for the Jewish myths and commandments that turn men away from the Truth.

15. Things are clean to a clean mind (intellect); also to a defiled unbeliever/infidel, on the contrary, not even one thing is clean; for by their consciousness (co-perception), all things are defiled.

16. They profess to know, but they contradict God by their abominable works. And being unpersuade-able, they are unapproved/unfit towards all good works.

Titus Chapter 2

 Titus 2

Qualities of different categories of Followers and what to teach them

1. Moreover, you are to preach what is fit/right for sound teaching.

2. Aged men are to be very sober (wine abstainer/clear-headed), to be venerable/modest, to be of sound mind/moderate opinion (which is) healthy to Faith, to be of selfless-Love and of cheerful-hope;

3. Likewise, the aged women are to be of decent behavior in the sanctuary, not of a devil (diabolical), not enslaved to much wine, teachers of right things; 

4. - to at least make young (ladies) of sound mind (moderate opinion), who shows affection to their husband, and showing affection to their children; 

5. - moderate in opinion and passion, chaste/pure, kind, home maker, submissive to their own husband, lest the the words of God be blasphemed. 

6. Exhort the youths likewise, to be sane (of sound mind). 

7. who exhibit themselves to be a model of virtuous works to everybody: in the instructions/teachings concerning purity/uncorruptness, dignity/integrity and incorruptibility/immortality;

8 to have healthy words which is unclassified/that cannot be countered, and which at least those from the contrary-view will respect and no-man will speak evil concerning us.

9. The slaves are to be submissive to their own master (despot), to be well pleasing in all things, and not to be spoken against;

10. not to embezzle or keep back some things (snacking), but to show the good acts of God to all, having been adorned/decorated, at least by the teachings of our Savior among all who are in Faith.

The place of Grace 

11. For the Grace of God has appeared/shone upon all men for their salvation. 

12. To educate/discipline us at least, to renounce impiety and worldly/mundane lusts, and to live righteously and piously with a sound mind in the present age.

13. Supremely blessed are those who wait with cheerful hope even for the appearing of the Great glory of God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ;

14. who gave Himself for us, at least to redeem us from all illegalities, and cleanse the people who are zealous of virtuous works, and specially-chosen for Himself.

15 as you Preach and exhort with these things, to check/convict everybody with decrees/dogmas; nobody will despise you.

Titus Chapter 3

Titus 3

We are Heirs of Eternal Life by Grace in cheerful hope

1 Remind them to be submissive to those of ancient-times Authorities, and to be submissive to Rulers, by being ready towards all good works;

2. Do not blaspheme anyone, be peaceable/non-combatant, be lenient, and show meekness towards all men

3. For, we WERE sometimes in the past unthoughtful, un-persuade-able, deceived, enslaved to divers lusts and sensual-pleasure, faring in wickedness and envy, brutal/hateful, and hate one another. 

4, But when God's likeness of mankind/philantropy, and the kindness of our Savior appeared,

5. it is not of works which we have done, but by JUSTIFICATION according to HIS Mercy,  we are saved through a rebirth again to the original (paliggenesia) and a renaissance/renovation /transition to a new-age (avakainosis) and a washing/bath of the HOLY SPIRIT,

6. WHO has been poured out upon us abundantly/copiously, through Jesus-Christ, our Saviour. 

7 At least, by being justified by Grace, these ones have become the inheritors/heirs of Eternal Life according to cheerful hope, 

8. These are faithful words and I am willing that you strongly affirm, at least, to those who lead/preside over those who believe, to be mindful concerning virtuous works. These things are virtuous to God and profitable/helpful to men.

Paul warns against any further contention on genealogy to prove  relationships of Jesus to king David 

9. Moreover, stand-aloof stupid-searching and strife on tracing generations/genealogies and a fight pertaining to Mosaic law, for they are useless and vanities.

10. Admonition within heretic men should be one time and waive/quit the second time.

11. Be aware that such a perverted men, has trespassed, and should be disapproved automatically.

Learn the necessity of the work of Love and its reward from the leaders

12. Whenever I send Artemas (gift of Artemis) or Tychicus (fortunate) towards you, be prompt to come to me in Nicopolis (victorious city) ; for I have decided to winter (spend rainy season) there. 

13. Promptly help Zenas (Jupiter-given), a lawyer and Apollos in their journey, at least for them to lack nothing.

14. Moreover, lead/preside over them, to learn the necessity of virtuous works, unto our needs, lest they should be unfruitful.

Greetings

15. Everyone with me salute you. Salute those who like the Faith in us. Grace be with you all. (Amen). 

[Written to Titus, the appointed Bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Epirus near Preveza in Western coast of Greece]