Paragraph 1:1–3
1:1a
Paul: The apostle Paul was the writer of this letter. He began the letter with his name. In some languages it is not natural for a person to refer to himself only by his name, as Paul did here. If that is the case in your language, you may want to say:
I, Paul
Paul did not use a verb here. In some languages, it may be natural to supply a verb. For example:
I, Paul, am sending/writing this letter
-or-
This letter is from me, Paul
a servant of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant normally refers to an unpaid servant or slave. Paul said that he was God’s slave. This implied that he belonged to God and that he served God by doing what God told him to do.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
a slave of God (NET Bible)
-or-
a worker of/for God
-or-
I serve God
1:1b
an apostle of Jesus Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as an apostle means “a messenger” or “a person who is sent on a mission.” It refers to a person who is given authority to do a task or give a message. This person represents the person who sent him and has his authority. In this context, Paul was sent by Jesus Christ to represent him and do the task that Jesus gave him.
Here are some ways to translate the phrase an apostle of Jesus Christ:
a person sent to speak/act on behalf of Jesus Christ
-or-
a special messenger from Jesus Christ
-or-
a representative of Jesus Christ
-or-
a man with authority from Jesus Christ
See how you translated apostle in Romans 1:1b, 1 Corinthians 1:1a and 1 Timothy 1:1b. Translate here in the same way that you did there. Be careful to choose different terms for “apostle,” “angel,” “elder,” and “prophet.”
of Jesus Christ: In the phrase Jesus Christ, Jesus is a personal name and Christ is a title. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” Your translation should not imply that Christ is a surname.
To make it clear that Christ is a title, you may want to:
• Put the title before the name. For example:
Christ Jesus
• Translate it as “Messiah” or “the Messiah.” For example:
Messiah Jesus
-or-
Jesus the Messiah
• Indicate in some other way that Christ is a title. One way to do this in English is to use the article “the” before a title. For example:
Jesus the Christ
1:1c
for the faith of God’s elect: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for here probably indicates purpose. It introduces Jesus’ purpose in choosing Paul to be his apostle. Scholars have interpreted the phrase for the faith of God’s elect in at least two ways:
(1) It means that Paul was made an apostle to help believers to believe more strongly in Jesus. For example:
to help the faith of God’s chosen people (New Century Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Bible, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Revised Standard Version)
(2) It means that Paul was made an apostle in order to explain the gospel to people who were not yet believers, so that they would begin to believe. For example:
to lead God’s chosen people to faith (God’s Word)
(New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word)
Both were Paul’s job, and we cannot be certain which one Paul was focusing on here. If you can translate this verse so that it can mean both things, you may do so. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the term God’s elect most naturally refers to those who are already Christians. Of the two interpretations given for 1:1c, probably the first is closer to Paul’s meaning. In this letter to Titus, Paul talks about teaching believers true teachings and how believers should behave. So it is more likely that in 1:1c he is talking about helping believers to believe more strongly. Also, in other places in the NT, the word elect (Greek: eklektos) refers to people who are already believers (for example, see Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 1:1–2, 2:9, Revelation 17:14).)
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
in order to encourage the faith of God’s chosen ones
-or-
for the sake of the faith of God’s elect (New Revised Standard Version)
In some languages it may be natural to supply a verb and translate this as a complete sentence. For example:
I was sent to help the faith of God’s chosen people (New Century Version)
-or-
I encourage God’s own people to have more faith (Contemporary English Version)
God’s elect: This phrase refers to the people whom God chose to believe in him and be his special people.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
those chosen of God (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
those chosen by God
-or-
the people whom God chose to be his own/special people
1:1d
and their knowledge of the truth: This phrase indicates the second purpose for which Paul was made an apostle. Paul was also made an apostle in order to help God’s chosen people know the truth better. The word truth refers to the gospel message, that is, the teachings of Christianity and the truth about Jesus Christ and his work.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
and to strengthen their knowledge of the true things about Jesus
-or-
and to help them know the truth (New Century Version)
In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a separate sentence. For example:
I teach them to understand his true message (Easy English Bible)
1:1e
that leads to godliness: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as godliness:
(1) It means a way of life that pleases God. For example:
that shows people how to serve God (New Century Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible)
(2) It means religion. For example:
taught by our religion (Good News Bible)
(Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was saying that this true teaching causes people to behave in a way that honors God.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
that shows them how to live godly lives (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
As a result they will live in a way that pleases God. (Easy English Bible)
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