1Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God's chosen ones and the full knowledge of the truth according to godliness — [1:2] in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before eternal times — [1:3] and in his own proper time manifested his word through the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior — [1:4] to Titus, my true child in the common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
TIT 1:1-4
Paulʼs Greeting to Titus
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, the term (slave) carried significant weight, denoting complete ownership and submission. Paul’s self-identification as a of God would have signaled his total allegiance to God’s authority, contrasting with the Roman patronage system where loyalty was often transactional. The term (apostle) was not merely a title but a claim to being a commissioned envoy, authorized to speak and act on behalf of Jesus Christ. This would have been understood in the context of Roman imperial messengers who carried the authority of the emperor. The phrase (knowledge of the truth) would have resonated with both Jewish and Greco-Roman audiences, as it evoked the pursuit of divine wisdom and ethical living. The assertion that God is (unable to lie) would have underscored God’s reliability, a stark contrast to the capriciousness of pagan deities. Titus, addressed as a true child in the faith, would have been seen as a trusted protégé in a relationship akin to a Roman patron-client bond, but grounded in shared faith.
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How other translations render this
TIT 1:1
- KJV
- Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
- BSB
- Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of Godʼs elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
- Koinōnos
- Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God's chosen ones and the full knowledge of the truth according to godliness —
TIT 1:2
- KJV
- In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
- BSB
- in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
- Koinōnos
- in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before eternal times —
TIT 1:3
- KJV
- But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
- BSB
- In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.
- Koinōnos
- and in his own proper time manifested his word through the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior —
TIT 1:4
- KJV
- To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
- BSB
- To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
- Koinōnos
- to Titus, my true child in the common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
TIT 1:1
- a servant:The word translated 'a servant' here refers to a bondservant or slave, someone entirely owned by and devoted to their master, not merely an employee.
- an apostle:The term translated 'an apostle' means a messenger or envoy, specifically one sent with authority and a particular mission, often with a military or diplomatic connotation.
- knowledge:The word translated 'knowledge' here implies a full, precise, or experiential knowledge, often with the sense of recognition or discernment, rather than just intellectual understanding.
TIT 1:2
- who cannot lie:The phrase 'who cannot lie' uses a word that emphasizes absolute truthfulness and reliability, often used for oracles or divine pronouncements that are inherently unerring.