Titus 1

Greeting

1Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, for the trust of God’s chosen people and the knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before eternal times 3and revealed at the proper time in his word through the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4to Titus, my true child according to our common trust: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Appoint Elders in Every Town

5I left you in Crete for this reason: so that you might put in order what remained and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be above accusation, faithful to one spouse, with believing children who are not accused of reckless living or rebellion. 7For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above accusation—not arrogant, quick-tempered, addicted to wine, violent, or greedy for dishonest gain, 8but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, 9holding firmly to the trustworthy word according to the teaching, so that they may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to correct those who contradict it.

Silence Empty Talkers

10For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced because they are overturning whole households by teaching what they should not for shameful gain. 12One of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13This testimony is true. Therefore correct them sharply so that they may become sound in the trust, 14not paying attention to Jewish myths and commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and do not trust, nothing is pure; both their mind and conscience are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but by their works they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.