Titus 3
1 Remind them to cooperate with leaders and authorities, to be compliant, to be ready for every generousa action, 2 not to disparage anyone, to be nonviolent and equitable, demonstrating complete gentleness for all people. 3 You see, we also used to be thoughtless, intransigent,b misled, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, living with hostilityc and spite,d dreaded and hating each other. 4 However, “When the active kindness and care for humanity of God our Liberator was made evident, 5 he liberated us not because of actions done justly that we did but rather based on his committed compassione through the ritual washingf of regenerationg and renewal of the Sacred Life-breath, 6 which he poured over us fully through Jesus Christ our Liberator 7 so that, having been aligned through Christ’s generosity, we could come to be heirs based on the hope of agelong life.
8 That message is trustworthy. I wish you to assert these things confidently so that those who have trusted God can give thought to stepping forward for honorable actions. These things are honorable and helpful for people. 9 But keep away from offensive inquiries,h genealogies,i arguments, and fights about Torahj because they are unhelpful and pointless. 10 Refuse a bigotedk person after a first and a second warning, 11 having come to understand that such a person has been uprooted and is deviatingl by their own prejudice.m
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, take coming to me in Nicopolis seriously because I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Quickly, send Zenas the Torah scholar and Apollos on their way so they won’t be lacking anything. 14 Those who are ours should certainly learn to step up for kind actions regarding pressing needs so that they would not be fruitless.
15 Everyone with me wishes you well. Give well wishes to our friendso connected by faithfulness.p Generosityq be with you all.
FOOTNOTES:
a Or ‘kind’ or ‘beneficial to others’
b Or ‘refusing to be persuaded’
c Or ‘malice’ or ‘ill-will’
d Traditionally, ‘envy’
e Traditionally, ‘mercy.’ It does not have to do with what modern readers think of either as ‘pity’ or ‘relenting from deserved punishment.’ It is used of taking care of people. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the “Septuagint,” using this word to translate the Hebrew word hesed, which means something along the lines of ‘loyal love,’ ‘compassionate faithfulness,’ ‘lovingkindness,’ ‘committed love/kindness.’ It carries a commitment to pursue good for others based in care. In fact, the word eleeo (‘carry out loving-faithfulness’) is related to the word elaion, ‘olive oil’ which was used as a medicinal ointment to care for the sick.
f The word ‘ritual’ is added for clarity.
g Or ‘re-birth’ or ‘coming into being again’
h This is often translated as ‘foolish controversies’ which is trying to get at the idea. In this context, it is more literally about questions and exploration of ideas that are counter to the inclusive wisdom of Christ, not about legitimate curiosity and critical thinking, about raising disingenuous questions that distract from the important ideas being discussed. A modern colloquial equivalent might be ‘keep away from trolls.’
i This is not a condemnation of genealogies per se, but rather from people who distract from the message of love by trying to appeal to people’s family lineages as a basis of who is more important or has more of a right to belong.
j In the Greek Bible, nomos literally means ‘law’ but should nearly always be understood to refer to Torah, the five books of Moses with an emphasis on the portions of teaching and direction provided by Moses.
k This word is traditionally translated as ‘divisive.’ It is the Greek word hairetikos, where the English word ‘heretical’ comes form. It’s most literal meaning is ‘prone to choose.’ In this context it has nothing to do with believing particular doctrines. It is about choosing to value some people over others, going against the triumphant message of Christ and the way of love for all.
l Or ‘turned inside out.’
m Traditionally ‘sinning’
n This Greek word is autokatakritos, a compound of autos (self) and katakritos (judgmental). It could be used to refer to judging oneself, but such compound words were also often used to refer to something and emphasizing that it was their own instance of it that is in view.
o Or ‘those who care about us’
p Or ‘trust’ or ‘commitment’
q Traditionally, ‘grace’