11For the saving grace of God has appeared to all people, [2:12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live with self-control, uprightly, and with reverence toward God in the present age, [2:13] while we await the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [2:14] who gave himself on our behalf that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and cleanse for himself a specially chosen people, eager for good works. [2:15] Speak these things, exhort, and correct with full authority. Let no one disregard you.
TIT 2:11-15
Godʼs Grace Brings Salvation
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, 'salvation' carried connotations of deliverance and preservation, often tied to imperial propaganda where emperors were hailed as saviors. For Jewish listeners, it evoked Yahweh’s covenantal rescue. The phrase 'grace of God' would resonate with Jewish audiences familiar with God’s unmerited favor, while Gentiles might associate it with benefaction or divine favor. The call to deny 'ungodliness and worldly passions' challenged both Jewish purity codes and Greco-Roman indulgence in excess. The instruction to live 'discreetly, righteously, and piously' aligns with Stoic ideals of self-control and Jewish Torah observance. The 'blessed hope' of Christ’s appearing would counter imperial claims of divine rule, offering an alternative eschatology. The emphasis on Christ redeeming a 'special people' echoes Exodus language of Israel as God’s treasured possession, now extended to a new covenant community. The exhortation to 'good works' reflects Jewish emphasis on Torah obedience and Greco-Roman civic virtue.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
TIT 2:11
- KJV
- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
- BSB
- For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
- Koinōnos
- For the saving grace of God has appeared to all people,
TIT 2:12
- KJV
- Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
- BSB
- It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
- Koinōnos
- training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live with self-control, uprightly, and with reverence toward God in the present age,
TIT 2:13
- KJV
- Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
- BSB
- as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- while we await the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
TIT 2:14
- KJV
- Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
- BSB
- He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- Koinōnos
- who gave himself on our behalf that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and cleanse for himself a specially chosen people, eager for good works.
TIT 2:15
- KJV
- These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
- BSB
- Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- Koinōnos
- Speak these things, exhort, and correct with full authority. Let no one disregard you.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.5.2
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.5.2
“for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God”
Cited to ground: The exhortation to 'good works' reflects Jewish emphasis on Torah obedience
Translator's notes
TIT 2:11
- <the>:The word translated 'saving' here describes something that brings salvation or deliverance, emphasizing its beneficial and preserving nature.
TIT 2:12
- instructing:The word translated 'instructing' implies a comprehensive training that includes discipline and correction, much like a parent raising a child, not just imparting information.
- passions:The word translated 'passions' refers to strong desires or cravings, which can be either good or bad depending on their object, but often carries a negative connotation when uncontrolled.
TIT 2:14
- specially chosen,:The phrase translated 'specially chosen' conveys the idea of a people set apart as a unique possession, belonging exclusively to God, much like a treasured personal belonging.