20In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. 21All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentionedb will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. 22Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servantc must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, 25correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.d
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a Other ancient authorities read the Lord
b Gk of these things
c Gk slave
d Or by him, to do his (that is, God’s) will
2.1–7 Renewed exhortations to Timothy.
2.2 Through many witnesses, better “before many witnesses” see 1 Tim 6.12. Entrust to faithful people. The need to preserve the apostolic traditions from distortion by false teachers lies behind this concern for reliable successors.
2.8–13 The theological basis of Paul’s endurance.
2.8 This summary of the gospel resembles Rom 1.3–4.
2.11 The saying is sure (see 1 Tim 1.15) introduces a hymnic fragment. If we have died with him. Paul links this dying with baptism and interprets it as a death to sin (see Rom 6.3–11). The context here seems to link dying with Christ to suffering like him.
2.12 One denies Christ through one’s actions; see Titus 1.16. It is the opposite of endurance.
2.13 The faithfulness of God and Christ is the cornerstone of Christian hope; see Rom 3.3–4; 1 Cor 10.13; 1 Thess 5.24; Rev 19.11.
2.14–26 Renewed exhortations and warnings.
2.14 Wrangling over words characterizes the fruitless debate with false teachers; see v. 23; 1 Tim 6.4; Titus 3.9.
2.17 Hymenaeus. See 1 Tim 1.20. Philetus is mentioned nowhere else.
2.18 The false teachers claim that the resurrection is a present spiritual reality, not a future hope. The author of this Letter does not refute this claim with a theological argument, but he emphasizes future resurrection life in 1.1; 2.10–11; 4.8.
2.19 The first quotation is from Num 16.5; the second vaguely recalls a number of texts (see Job 36.10; Isa 26.13).
2.20 For special use or ordinary use, lit. for “honor” or “dishonor.” The author probably has in mind the distinction between faithful ministers (v. 1) and false teachers (vv. 16–18).
2.24 The Lord’s servant (see Titus 1.1), one engaged in ministry; cf. the qualities of the bishop in 1 Tim 3.2–3.
2.25 On correcting opponents, see Titus 1.9, 13.
2.26 Snare of the devil. Also in 1 Tim 3.7; see note on 1 Tim 3.6.
2 Timothy 3
Godlessness in the Last Days
1You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 6For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, 7who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. 9But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men,a their folly will become plain to everyone.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is inspired by God and isb useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
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a Gk lacks two men
b Or Every scripture inspired by God is also
3.1–9 The author uses a prediction about the last days (see Mk 13) to attack the false teachers; see also 1 Tim 4.1–5.
3.2–4 This list of vices constitutes a broadside against the opponents, not an accurate description of them (see also 1 Tim 1.9–10).
3.5–7 The description of the opponents may become more specific here, for the focus on women in these Letters suggests that they may indeed have been targeted by the false teachers.
3.5 Godliness. See 1 Tim 2.2.
3.6 The author belittles the false teachers and reflects a cultural stereotype by describing their students as silly women (lit. the diminutive “little women”).
3.7 Knowledge of the truth. See 1 Tim 2.4.
3.8 Jannes and Jambres, the names given to Pharaoh’s anonymous magicians (Ex 7.11, 22) in later Jewish sources (Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document [CD] 5.18–19).
3.10–13 Paul’s behavior stands in deliberate contrast to that of the false teachers. Suffering and endurance are again highlighted.
3.11 Acts 13–14 describes events in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.
3.13 The false teachers are frequently linked with deceiving; see note on 1 Tim 2.14.
3.14–4.8 The final charge to Timothy.
3.15 Sacred writings, the Jewish scriptures.
3.16 Inspired by God, lit. “god-breathed.” See 2 Pet 1.21. The reading given in text note b is equally possible and changes significantly the extent of the claim for scriptural inspiration.
3.17 Everyone who belongs to God (lit. “the man [person] of God”). In 1 Tim 6.11, the phrase refers to the ordained church leader, and it may do so here as well. Good work. See 1 Tim 2.10.
2 Timothy 4
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
6As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Personal Instructions
9Do your best to come to me soon, 10for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia,a Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. 12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the
Lord will pay him back for his deeds. 15You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.
16At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings and Benediction
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained in Corinth; Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 21Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.b
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.c
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a Other ancient authorities read Gaul
b Gk all the brothers
c The Greek word for you here is plural. Other ancient authorities add Amen
4.1–2 The charge here assumes a particularly solemn note; see also 1 Tim 5.21.
4.1 His appearing, the Second Coming; see also 1.10; Titus 2.13.
4.3 The time is coming. The author regarded this prediction as being fulfilled in his time; see 3.1. Sound doctrine. See 1.13.
4.4 Myths. See 1 Tim 1.4.
4.5 The work of an evangelist (see Eph 4.11) is described in v. 2.
4.6–8 A reference to Paul’s circumstances concludes the charge.
4.6 Poured out as a libation (see Phil 2.17) interprets Paul’s impending death (departure) as a cultic drink offering; see Num 28.7.
4.7 The good fight. See 1 Tim 1.18, though the Greek words are different, there suggesting warfare, here an athletic contest.
4.8 That day. See 1.12.
4.9–22 Personal instructions and concluding greetings. The emphasis is on the desertion of Paul by his former companions (see also 1.15), yet a strong network of support remains. Some of these people are mentioned elsewhere in the Pauline corpus (see Col 4.7, 10, 14; Titus 3.12; Philem 24).
4.14 Alexander. See 1 Tim 1.20. A man with this name is also mentioned in Acts 19.33.
4.16 First defense, perhaps an earlier trial (see, e.g., Acts 23.1–11) or an earlier portion of Paul’s current trial.
4.17 Lion’s mouth, probably a metaphor.
4.19 Prisca and Aquila. See Acts 18.2, 18 and note at v. 18; Rom 16.3; 1 Cor 16.19. Onesiphorus. See 1.16–18.
The Letter of Paul to TITUS
1 | 2 | 3 |
THE OSTENSIBLE ADDRESSEE of this Letter, Titus, is one of Paul’s known co-workers (2 Cor 8.23). He accompanied Paul to an important meeting in Jerusalem (Gal 2.1–10), worked on the collection for that church (2 Cor 8.6, 16–24), and served as Paul’s emissary during his troubled relations with the Corinthians (2 Cor 2.13; 7.5–16). The Letter assumes that Titus has been left in Crete to organize some churches that Paul had recently established (1.5) and provides instructions for this work. Neither Acts nor Paul’s other Letters, however, mention a mission to Crete.
The form and content of this Letter duplicate in many regards those of 1 Timothy, though the false teachers are more clearly linked with Judaism (1.10, 14) and the church offices are not as fully developed. For a discussion of authorship, date, and purpose, see the Introduction to 1 Timothy. [JOUETTE M. BASSLER]
Titus 1
Salutation
1Paul, a servanta of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began—3in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,
4To Titus, my loyal child in the faith we share:
Graceb and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus in Crete
5I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: 6someone who is blameless, married only once,c whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. 7For a bishop,d as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain; 8but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled. 9He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
10There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; 11they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach. 12It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said,
“Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.”
13That testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, 14not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. 15To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
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a Gk slave
b Other ancient authorities read Grace, mercy,
c Gk husband of one wife
d Or an overseer
1.1–4 The opening of the Letter repeats many elements found in 1 Tim 1.1–2, with a new, lengthy emphasis on the purpose of Paul’s apostleship (see also Rom 1.1–6).
1.1 The OT concepts servant of God (see 2 Sam 7.5; Jer 7.25) and God’s elect (see Isa 65.9) were appropriated by Christians; see, e.g., Rom 1.1; 8.33; Phil 1.1; Col 3.12; 2 Tim 2.10. Knowledge of truth. See 1 Tim 2.4. Godliness. See 1 Tim 2.2.
1.2–3 Before the ages defines the antiquity of God’s recently revealed plan of salvation; see 2 Tim 1.9–10; see also Rom 16.25–26.
1.5–9 The qualifications for elders (see also 1 Tim 4.14; 5.17–22) resemble those for bishops and deacons; see 1 Tim 3.1–13. Here the bishop (v. 7) seems to come from the council of elders.
1.9 Sound (“healthy”) doctrine, or “teaching.” See note on 1 Tim 1.10.
1.10–16 A lengthy description of the false teachers; see also 1 Tim 1.3–7.
1.10 Circumcision is an issue Paul dwells on at length in Galatians and Romans; here it is mentioned but not discussed. Deceivers, in the author’s eyes, are particularly dangerous; see 1 Tim 2.14.
1.11 The Pastoral Letters show a pervasive concern for the structure and stability of families; see 2.4–5, 9–10; 1 Tim 2.15; 3.4–5, 12; 5.4, 8, 14.
1.12 This ethnic slur is attributed by later writers to Epimenides of Crete (600 BCE).
1.14 Myths, here specifically identified as Jewish (cf. 1 Tim 1.4; 4.7; 2 Tim 4.4).
1.15 All things are pure, perhaps a rebuttal of asceticism; see 1 Tim 4.3–5.
1.16 Profess to know God. See 1 Tim 6.20–21.
Titus 2
Teach Sound Doctrine
1But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 2Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.
3Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.
6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, 8and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, havin
g nothing evil to say of us.
9Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, 10not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,a 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior,b Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
15Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority.c Let no one look down on you.
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a Or has appeared to all, bringing salvation
b Or of the great God and our Savior
c Gk commandment
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