1

1 Paul, God's slave (a slave of God; one bound to, subjected under and owned by God), yet one sent away with a commission (as an emissary, envoy or ambassador) from, pertaining to and belonging to Jesus Christ (or: a representative of Jesus [the] Anointed), with a view to and corresponding to [the] faith of God's chosen folks (or: in line with a trust and loyalty possessed by and characteristic of God's selected and picked-out ones) and the full, accurate and precise intimate knowledge and experiential insight of Truth and Reality – the [truth and reality] corresponding to and in accord with reverence (or: down from goodness which produces virtuous conduct with devoutness, and in line with ease from a true relation to God) –"

2 [based; standing] upon an expectation (or: hope) of and from eonian life (life having the quality and characteristics of, and its source in, the Age [of Messiah]; life for and throughout the ages) which the non-lying God (the God without falseness) promised – before eonian times (prior to the times belonging to the ages)."

3 Now He manifests (or: brought into clear light) His Logos (His Word; the Thought from Him; the Reason, Idea, communication and expression from Him; the discourse pertaining to Him; and the message which is Him) in Its (or: His; or: their) own seasons, fitting situations and fertile moments within (or: in the midst of) a proclamation by a herald – which I, myself, was made to trust and believe – down from, in accord with and corresponding to a full arrangement (or: a setting-upon; a complete disposition; a precise placing in order; an injunction) of and from God, our Savior (Deliverer; Rescuer; Restorer to health, wholeness and our original condition)."

4 To Titus, a genuine born-one (legitimate child [one born in wedlock]) down from and corresponding to a common and partnered (equally owned, shared and participated-in) faith, trust and loyalty: Grace (or: Favor), and peace [= shalom; A, C2 & others: mercy; compassion], [are; continue coming] from Father God (or: God [the] Father) – even Christ Jesus, our Deliverer (or: and [the] Anointed Jesus, our Savior, Rescuer and Restorer to health, wholeness and our original condition; as well as from [the Messiah], Jesus, our Safe-keeper)."

5 From the source of, and because of, this grace and favor, I left [other MSS: was leaving] you off in Crete, so that you, yourself, could correct and amend – so as to be fully straight throughout the midst – the things habitually lacking, leaving defects or remaining undone, and [so] you, yourself, could thoroughly establish [the] older folks (or: correspondingly make [the] elders to stand fast and be firm), city by city, as I, myself, made thorough arrangements for you."

6 [Now] if anyone is normally not one being called up, or arraigned, before a judge (= habitually exists being one free from reproach); [is] a husband of one woman (or: wife), having trusting and believing children (or: born-ones that are full of faith); [is] not one in the midst of a [legal] charge (or: an accusation; being considered in a category) of being a person without healthful wholeness (or: of being unwholesome; being in a desperate case without hope of safety; being prodigal; being wasteful; being on an unsaved course; being incorrigible; being dissolute and debauched) nor [of] insubordinate [qualities] (things not put in submission; things not placed under the arrangement; un-subjected and unruly [traits])"

7 – for you see, it continues binding and necessary for the person who sets his eyes upon the distant goal, having a full-scope view, and successfully hits the target (or: the one who surveys, inspects and watches upon; the scout; the tender guardian who oversees with attentive care) to continue being one [that is] not normally called up, or arraigned, before a judge (= to habitually exist being one free from reproach). As God's house administrator (house manager; house dispenser and distributor; estate steward), [he should] not [be] one who pleases himself (or: gives himself to pleasure): not impulsive (prone to passion, irritation or anger; not ruled by his own mental bent, disposition or propensities; not one teeming with internal swelling or motion), not addicted to wine (or: beside himself with wine; = not a drunk), not quarrelsome and apt to strike another, not one eager for dishonorable, deformed or ugly gain."

8 But to the contrary, [he should be] fond of strangers (have affection for foreigners; be hospitable), [be] fond of the good and have affection for virtue and excellence, [be] whole, healthy and liberated (sound) in frame of mind and disposition ([be] sane), [be] fair and equitable, and in rightwised relationships within the Way pointed out, [be] loyal, dutiful and pure from all crime, [produce] inner strength ([be] self-controlled),"

9 habitually holding himself firmly to (or: clinging face-to-face to) the full-of-faith Word (message; thought; idea; Logos; or: the faithful word) – down from, corresponding to and in line with the Teaching and training – to the end that he can be powerful and able both to be constantly encouraging (habitually performing as a paraclete; repeatedly exhorting; continually calling folks alongside to give them assistance or relief) in the teaching that continues being sound and healthy, and to repeatedly put to the proof so as to convince by demonstration, or to refute by exposure of the test, the folks habitually speaking in opposition and contradicting."

10 You see, many folks, especially those from out of the Circumcision (= the Jews), are (constantly exist being) insubordinate ones (not submitted to the arrangement; un-subjected to the order), empty, vain and profitless talkers, even seducers of the intellect (deceivers of the mind; people who mislead thinking),"

11 who it continues necessary to repeatedly muzzle (gag; put something upon their mouth; or: reign them in), who are habitually turning-back whole households [i.e., into the Law cultus of Judaism] (or: = constantly upsetting entire families), repeatedly teaching things which it is binding to not [teach]: a “grace” of ugly (deformed; disgraceful) profit, gain or advantage!"

12 A certain one of them, their own prophet (= poet), said, "Cretans [are] always (or: ever) liars, worthless little wild animals (little beasts of bad quality), inactive and idle bellies (= unemployed gluttons).""

13 This witness (or: testimony [of the poet Epimenides]) is true (genuine; real). Because of which case and cause, be repeatedly cross-examining them abruptly while cutting away [at the case] and bringing the question to the proof, so as to test and decide the dispute and expose the matter – to the end that they can be sound and healthy within the Faith and in union with trust and loyalty,"

14 not habitually holding to (having [a propensity] toward; heeding and clinging in the direction toward) Jewish myths (or: fictions; or, possibly: oral traditions) and to implanted goals (impartations of a finished product within; inward directives; commands) whose source and origin is people (or: human commandments) [thus] continually being twisted and turned away from the Truth (or: reality)."

15 To the pure folks, everything [is] pure (or: All things [are] clean for, with and in the clean ones). Yet to (or: for; in; with) those having been stained and remaining defiled (corrupted; polluted), and to (or: for; in) faithless people (those without trust; unbelieving ones), nothing is pure or clean – but rather, their mind, as well as the conscience, has been – and now remains – stained, defiled and corrupted."

16 They are repeatedly adopting the same terms of language, and habitually making confession and avowing to have perceived and now know God, yet they are constantly denying (repudiating; disowning; refusing) [this] by the works (in the actions and things done), continuing being detestable (abominable), incompliant (stubborn; disobedient; unpersuasive) and disqualified (disapproved; rejected after trial) with a view toward every good work (excellent and virtuous activity)."

2

1 You yourself, however, keep on speaking what things continue being fitting for, suitable in and proper to sound and healthy teaching."

2 Old (or: Aged; Older) men are to habitually be moderate and sober in the use of wine, serious (grave; solemn; dignified; worthy of respect and honor), sound of mind with a rational (or: sane; sensible) and wholesome way of thinking and attitude, being continuously sound and healthy in the Faith (or: by trust; with loyalty; for confidence), in (or: by; with) the Love, in (or: by; with) the Remaining-under in support (or: the persistent, patient endurance)."

3 Old (or: Aged; Older) women, similarly (or: likewise), [are to be] women in a state and resultant condition proper and fitting for being engaged in the sacred (suitable in demeanor for serving the temple; or: = living a life appropriate [for] a person [being] a temple), not folks who thrust-through or hurl [a weapon, or something hurtful] through [someone] (or: not devils nor slanderous adversaries which bring division and hurt), nor women having been enslaved by (or: to) much wine. [They are to be] teachers of beauty and of what is fine, excellent and ideal,"

4 to the end that they can (or: may; would) habitually bring the young women to their senses (or: cause new [wives] to be sound-minded and with a healthy attitude) to habitually be affectionate, friendly, loving and fond of passionately kissing their husbands [and] children,"

5 ones sound of mind with a rational (or: sane; sensible; clear headed) and wholesome way of thinking and attitude, untouched so as to be undefiled and pure (chaste), workers at home (domestic; = mistress of the house), good (virtuous; with qualities of excellence), being women that are by habit supportively aligned to (or: continue being humbly arranged for) their own husbands, to the end that God's thought and idea (God's Logos; God's Word; God's message) can not be constantly blasphemed (abusively defamed; misrepresented)."

6 Similarly (or: Likewise), be repeatedly and habitually doing the work of a paraclete: calling the younger men alongside to give them relief or support, and to encourage them to be continuously sound in mind (sane; sensible) and to be keeping a wholesome attitude and way of thinking about everything –"

7 [while] constantly holding yourself at [their] side, offering (tendering; presenting; exhibiting) yourself [as] a model (example; pattern; an impression) of beautiful actions (fine deeds and ideal works), [exhibiting] incorruptness (absence of spoil or ruin; incapability of decay) [and] seriousness (gravity; dignity) [p32 & other MSS add: freedom from envy; willingness] within the teaching:"

8 [presenting] a healthful message (a sound word; a thought or idea full of and promoting health): one without down-oriented knowledge and not bringing a downward experience, thus being unworthy of – and not containing any – condemnation (or: uncensurable), so that the person in the contrary and opposing position (or: [acting] out of contrariness) can (may; would) be turned back within himself (or: be put to shame and be made to show reverence and regard), continuing having nothing slight or mean (cheap; paltry; ill; sorry; good-for-nothing; thoughtless) to be saying about us."

9 [Encourage] slaves to habitually place themselves in subjection (or: to be continually in humble alignment, supportively arranged under) their own owners (or: masters) in all things – to be constantly well-pleasing and satisfying, not repeatedly speaking contrarily or refuting (or: talking back), nor embezzling (secretly putting aside for oneself; pilfering),"

10 but to the contrary, habitually displaying all good faith (every virtuous trust, faithfulness, confidence, loyalty and reliability), so that they can progressively set the teaching, which pertains to, and whose source and origin is, God, our Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Restorer to health, wholeness and our original state of being), into the System – in all things, within every area and among all people!"

11 For God's saving grace (the salvation-imparting influence and boon of undeserved kindness, favor and goodwill whose source is God and which brings deliverance, rescue, restoration and health) has been fully set in clear Light for all mankind (or: was fully manifested to all humanity; has been made to completely appear in all people; or: has additionally shined within all humans) [other MSS: You see, the joyous favor of God: a Savior for (to; in) all mankind, has been fully displayed; or: So you see, the grace, which is God, was made to suddenly appear {as} a Savior for all humans],"

12 progressively educating and training us so that, being people refusing (renouncing; denying; disowning; turning our backs on) the irreverence (lack of awe or pious fear; disrespect of and absence of duty to God) and over-desires (full-rushing passions) pertaining to the System (or: whose source is the world), we can (may; would) live sensibly (with clear-headed soundness of mind and wholesomeness of disposition and attitude) and equitably (fairly; justly; rightwisedly; relationally in a way which reflects the Way pointed out) and reverently (in devout goodness, awe and virtuous conduct, and with ease and well-being from relationship with God) within the current age (or: the present indefinite period of time, or eon),"

13 being folks continuously receiving with welcoming focus, and granting access and admittance to, the happy expectation – even the full manifestation (the complete display in clear light) of the glory of our great God and Deliverer (or: Savior): Jesus Christ,"

14 Who gave (or: gives) Himself over us (= over our situation; on our behalf), to the end that He could loose and redeem us (= set us free) from all lawlessness – by payment of a ransom – and would cleanse and make pure in Himself (for Himself; by Himself; with Himself) a people being encircled around [Him], laid up as a super-abounding acquisition of property, zealous (bubbling up; or: boiling hot; = extremely enthusiastic) with regard to beautiful actions (or: for ideal works; from fine deeds)."

15 Be constantly speaking these things, and habitually performing as a paraclete (calling folks alongside to support, give relief and encourage them), even be continuously putting [folks; situations] to the proof so as to convince by demonstration – or to refute by exposure of the test – with every complete disposition and full arrangement (precise placing in aligned order; or: injunction). Let no one surround you with his intellect, mind-set, opinion or attitude (= don’t let anyone frame your way of thinking)."

3

1 Repeatedly bring folks under recollection, constantly causing them to think again and remember to be habitually placing themselves in subjection to (or: to be supportively aligned with; be continually arranged under by) governments (or: rulers; sovereignties; originating headships) – to (or: by) those having the right of authority – [and] to continuously comply in persuaded obedience, yielding to these authorities; to constantly be ready ones: facing and progressing toward every good work (or: virtuous action);"

2 to be in the habit of speaking injuriously of (blaspheming; slandering; defaming) no one; to be folks who are non-contentious (not disposed to fighting or quarreling), gentle, lenient, considerate and suitably reasonable, constantly displaying all kindness and gentle tenderness while behaving agreeably toward everyone (all mankind; all humanity)."

3 You see, we also were, ourselves, at one time people habitually being foolish, senseless and without understanding (without perception or proper use of our minds) – noncompliant and disobedient ones, folks being constantly caused to wander and being led astray (or, as a middle: repeatedly deceiving ourselves; habitually going astray), continuously being and performing as slaves to various (a diversity of many kinds of) full-rushing passions and pleasures (enjoyments; gratifications), habitually carrying ugly worthlessness (bad quality or malice) and envy (or: jealousy) throughout (= leading a bad life): detestable ones (abhorrent folks) continuously hating one another."

4 Yet, when the beneficial usefulness in meeting needs and the affectionate friendship for mankind (the fondness for, the liking of, and the love – as shown in kissing – for humanity) of God (or: coming from, and which is, God), our Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Healer; Restorer), was fully set in clear Light (was made to completely appear; was fully manifested) –"

5 not from out of works [which arise from] within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed), but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition) through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth) and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality) again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit) –"

6 which (or: from which source) He pours forth (or: poured from out of) upon us richly through Jesus Christ, our Deliverer (Savior; Healer; Rescuer; Restorer; Safe-keeper),"

7 to the end that, being rightwised, and set in right relationship in the Way of fairness and equity which has been pointed out (also: = being placed in covenant membership) – by and in the grace and favor of That One – we can (could; would; may) come to be (or: be birthed; be made to exist being) heirs (possessors and enjoyers of the allotment), corresponding to, in line with, and down from [the] expectation (or: an expectant hope) that comes from eonian life (or: of life whose character, origin, source and realm is the Age [of the Messiah]; or: a life of unspecified duration which leads on into the ages; [the] life of and for the ages)."

8 The Idea (The Logos; The Word; The Message; The Thought) [is] full of faith (or: faithful; trustworthy), and I am continuing in intending (determining; designing; or: wishing; wanting) to progressively set you on thoroughly good footing (to make you continue thoroughly stabilized and confidently insistent) about (or: concerning) these things – to the end that those having put trust in God (or: the ones having believed God and now having faith in God) can habitually give careful thought and concern to constantly put themselves in the forefront (or: to continually promote, maintain and stand themselves for the interests) of beautiful deeds (ideal works; fine actions). These things continue being beautiful (fine; ideal), as well as augmenting a furtherance for humanity (profitable to mankind; beneficial in people)."

9 Yet habitually set yourself at the periphery (or: step around) so as to avoid unintelligent (stupid; foolish) questionings (or: seekings; investigations) and genealogies (studies into births or descents), also strife [other MSS: quarrels] and fights (contentions; conflicts; battles) about Laws (or: customs; or: = things related to the Torah), for they are contrary to progress (without benefit; unprofitable; regressive) and ineffectual (futile; vain)."

10 After one, and then a second, putting-into-the-mind (= impartation; admonition) of a person who chooses or promotes a sect or party (or: of a factious person), progressively decline yourself (or: repeatedly excuse yourself),"

11 having seen and thus knowing that such a one has been and remains a person turned from out of the midst (or: twisted inside-out; perverted) and continues missing the target (constantly fails to properly aim toward the goal; habitually errs; repeatedly makes a mistake), being continually a person having made a decision corresponding to himself (or: one separating himself down and out of line; or: self-condemned and sifted to his own level)."

12 Whenever I shall proceed sending Artemas or Tychicus toward you, urgently endeavor to come toward me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there."

13 With urgent endeavor and diligence, at once send on ahead Zenas, the expert in the Law (or: the lawyer), and Apollos, so that nothing may be lacking for them."

14 Now let our people (our own folks) be progressively learning how to habitually put themselves in the forefront (to continually promote, maintain and stand themselves for the interests) of beautiful actions (fine deeds; ideal works) [directed] into the indispensable needs (or: wants of compressed necessity), so that they may not exist being unfruitful ones."

15 All those with me continue embracing and greeting you. Greet and embrace our friends in [the] faith (or: those who have love and affection for us in trusting allegiance and loyalty). Grace and favor [are] with all you folks! It is so (Amen). [written circa A. D. 57 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]"