5For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you — [1:6] if any man is above reproach, a husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of reckless living or insubordination. [1:7] For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward — not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not a brawler, not greedy for shameful gain — [1:8] but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, holy, self-controlled, [1:9] holding firmly to the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he will be able to exhort with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict.
TIT 1:5-9
Appointing Elders on Crete
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Crete, a Roman province with a diverse population of Greeks, Jews, and Roman settlers, the appointment of elders carried significant cultural weight. Elders were typically older men respected for their wisdom and moral integrity, often holding leadership roles in local communities or synagogues. The term overseer implied not just administrative oversight but also guardianship, akin to a patron responsible for the well-being of a household or community. The emphasis on being 'blameless' and 'of one wife' reflects the Greco-Roman and Jewish values of marital fidelity and social respectability, crucial for maintaining honor in a public role. The steward metaphor underscores the elder’s responsibility to manage the community’s spiritual and moral health, much like a household manager. The requirement for 'sound teaching' highlights the need for doctrinal integrity, countering the influence of local philosophical or religious syncretism. These qualifications ensured that elders could uphold communal order and resist cultural pressures toward debauchery or insubordination.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
TIT 1:5
- KJV
- For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
- BSB
- The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
- Koinōnos
- For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you —
TIT 1:6
- KJV
- If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
- BSB
- An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
- Koinōnos
- if any man is above reproach, a husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of reckless living or insubordination.
TIT 1:7
- KJV
- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
- BSB
- As Godʼs steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
- Koinōnos
- For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward — not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not a brawler, not greedy for shameful gain —
TIT 1:8
- KJV
- But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
- BSB
- Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- Koinōnos
- but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, holy, self-controlled,
TIT 1:9
- KJV
- Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
- BSB
- He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
- Koinōnos
- holding firmly to the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he will be able to exhort with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
TIT 1:5
- elders:The word translated 'elders' refers to mature, respected leaders within a community, often those with wisdom gained through age and experience, who held positions of authority.
TIT 1:7
- overseer:The term used here for 'overseer' describes someone who watches over, guards, and supervises, implying a protective and administrative role within the community.
- steward,:The word translated 'steward' refers to a manager of a household or estate, often a trusted servant responsible for the master's affairs and resources, highlighting accountability.
TIT 1:9
- sound:The word translated 'sound' literally means to be healthy or in good physical condition, and here it is used metaphorically to describe teaching that is wholesome and free from error.