Titus 3

1 Remind [put in mind, bring to remembrance] the believers [saints, followers of Christ] to submit [be subject, obey] to rulers [principalities, those in authority] and authorities [powers, governments], to be obedient [to obey, follow rules] and ready [prepared, eager] for every [all, each] good [beneficial, righteous] work [deed, action], word study 2 to malign [speak evil of, blaspheme] no one [nothing, no person], and to be [exist as] peaceable [peacemakers, non-confrontational] and gentle [fair, moderate], showing [demonstrating, pointing out] full consideration [all meekness] to everyone [all people]. word study 3 For at one time [formerly, in the past] we too were [once] foolish [unwise, lacking understanding], disobedient [unpersuadable, refusing to obey], misled [deceived, led astray], and enslaved [serving as slaves] to all sorts of desires [evil desires, lusts] and pleasures [sensual delights]—living [passing our time] in malice [evil, wickedness] and envy [jealousy, spite], being hated [detested, strongly disliked] and hating [loving less, detesting] one another [each other, mutually]. word study 4 But when [at a specific point in time] the kindness [goodness, benevolence] of God [the supreme deity, our heavenly Father] our Savior [deliverer, rescuer] and His love [benevolence, affection] for mankind [humanity, people] appeared [became visible, was revealed], word study 5 He saved [rescued, delivered] us, not by the righteous [just, upright] deeds [works, actions] we had done, but according to His [God’s, divine] mercy [pity, compassion], through the washing [baptism, spiritual cleansing] of new birth [regeneration, rebirth] and renewal [restoration, revitalization] by the Holy [set apart, sacred] Spirit [breath, divine presence]. word study 6 This is the Spirit [which He shed on us, poured out upon us] He poured out [richly, abundantly] on us [upon us, to us] abundantly through [because of, by means of] Jesus Christ [Joshua, God is salvation] our Savior [deliverer, rescuer], word study 7 so that, having been justified [made righteous, declared innocent] by His grace [unmerited favor, divine influence], we would become [be made, come into being as] heirs [children of God, inheritors of eternal life] with the hope [confident expectation, trust] of eternal [endless, everlasting] life [physical and spiritual existence]. word study 8 This saying [a faithful declaration, trustworthy statement] is trustworthy [reliable, deserving of confidence]. And I want you to emphasize [affirm confidently, insist upon] these things, so that those who have believed [trusted, put their faith in] God [the one true deity] will take care [be careful, give thought to] to devote themselves to good [excellent, beautiful] deeds [works, actions]. These things [teachings, instructions] are excellent [good, valuable] and profitable [beneficial, valuable] for the people [human beings, mankind]. word study 9 But avoid [shun, stay away from] foolish [unwise, senseless] controversies [questionings, disputes], genealogies [lists of ancestors, family trees], arguments [contentions, strivings], and quarrels [fights, brawlings] about the law [Jewish laws, God’s commandments], because these things are [prove to be] pointless [unprofitable, useless] and worthless [vain, empty]. word study 10 Reject [avoid, refuse to have anything to do with] a divisive [schismatic, factious] man [a human] after [following] a first and [also] second admonition [gentle warning, to refuse or excuse oneself], word study 11 knowing [having spiritual insight, perceiving] that such a man [of this character, perverse] is corrupt [subverted, warped] and sinful [falling short, missing the mark]; he is [exists as, condemned by his own judgment] self-condemned [damned by his own self]. word study 12 As soon as I send [when I have opportunity] Artemas [a faithful Christian helper] or Tychicus [a trusted messenger] to you, make every effort [be diligent, try hard] to come to me at Nicopolis [the city of victory], because I have decided [judged it best, determined] to winter [stay for the cold season, reside temporarily] there [in that place, for a time]. word study 13 Do your best [with diligence and zeal] to equip [help on their way, provide for] Zenas [expert in the law] the lawyer and Apollos [a Jewish Christian leader], so that they will have [lack nothing, be in need of nothing] everything they need [for their journey, to fulfill their mission]. word study 14 And our people [those belonging to us, our fellow believers] must also learn [to understand, to become acquainted with] to devote themselves to good [beautiful, noble, excellent] works [deeds, actions, occupations] in order to meet [to provide for, to supply] the pressing [necessary, urgent] needs [requirements, lacks] of others, so that they will not be [remain] unfruitful [barren, unproductive, without spiritual results]. word study 15 All who are with [in the company of, accompanying] me send you greetings [salute thee, wish you well]. Greet [pay respects to, welcome] those who love [have strong affection for, cherish] us in [through, because of] the faith [trust, confidence in God]. Grace [divine influence, unmerited favor] be with [among, accompanying] all of you [every one of you, collectively]. word study