3:14a

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works: The Greek text connects verse 14 to verse 13 with a conjunction that means “moreover also.” Paul told Titus that not only was he to help Zenas and Apollos, but the other believers on Crete were to help people also. You should connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Our people should also learn how to set an example by doing good things (God’s Word)
-or-

And our own people must be taught to devote themselves to good works (Revised English Bible)

And our people must also learn: Paul implied that someone must teach the believers. However, he did not say who was to teach them. In some languages it may be natural to translate this using a passive verb. For example:

Our people must be taught

And our people: This phrase refers to the Christian believers on Crete. The pronoun our is inclusive of Paul and Titus. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

our fellow believers
-or-
our brothers and sisters in Christ

to devote themselves to good works: This is the same phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “to devote themselves to good deeds” in 3:8c. Paul said that the Christians must learn to give their full attention to doing good works.

to good works: The Greek phrase is literally “to engage in good works” (see the notes on 2:7a). Doing good works is one of the main themes of this letter. Paul discussed it in 1.16, 2.7, 2.14, 3.1, and 3.8.

3:14b

in order to meet the pressing needs of others: The Greek phrase is more literally “for the necessary needs.” This shows the kind of “good works” that Paul wanted the Cretan Christians to do. They should give help to people who lacked basic necessities such as food, clothes, or housing.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

when urgent needs arise (God’s Word)
-or-
in order to provide for urgent needs (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
in order to provide for real needs (Good News Bible)

3:14c

so that they will not be unfruitful: This clause gives Paul’s purpose in giving these directions to Titus. He did not want the believers to live unfruitful, that is, unproductive, lives. If the believers helped others, they would not be unfruitful, that is, their lives would be useful and have a purpose.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

so that they may not be unproductive (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they should not live useless lives (Good News Bible)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this as a positive purpose. For example:

so that their lives would be fruitful
-or-
so that they can live productive lives (God’s Word)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.