As already noted, this verse is still a part of the one sentence that goes all the way to the end of verse 4, and the verse simply begins with in hope of eternal life (literally “upon hope of eternal life”). The preposition “upon” is used in various ways; in fact there are at least twenty ways in which this preposition can be interpreted. Here it can be understood in at least three ways: (1) It expresses the reason or ground for something. This makes possible a rendering like Good News Translation “based on” or New International Version “resting on.” This is possible on linguistic grounds, but there is an objection that is theologically based, and that is, the hope of eternal life is at best a result rather than the foundation or basis of the Christian life. (2) It denotes purpose or result. This means that Paul’s ministry as an apostle has as its goal to cause God’s people to expect with confidence experiencing eternal life (compare New Jerusalem Bible “and to give them the hope of the eternal life…,” and Contemporary English Version “Then they will have the hope of eternal life”). (3) It denotes the content of something. In the present case the hope of eternal life is then included in the truth of the Christian faith (compare Revised English Bible “with its hope of eternal life”). The choice seems to be between the first and second alternatives, with the second being slightly better.

A further question is, how is this phrase connected with what precedes? Again, several possibilities may be mentioned.
(1) It is connected with “truth.” The following restructurings are possible: “This truth is based on our hope for eternal life”; “this truth (or, the teachings of our religion) includes the hope of eternal life”; “this truth (or, knowledge of this truth) leads to (or, results in) a hope of eternal life.”
(2) It is connected with “godliness,” in which case the following restructurings are possible: “this godliness (or, godly behavior) results in eternal life”; “our religion is based on the hope of eternal life.”
(3) It is connected with both “faith” and “knowledge of the truth” (compare New International Version “a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life”). A further restructuring can be “This faith and knowledge results in (or, leads to) a hope of eternal life.”
(4) It is connected with “apostle” and “servant”; in other words, it is part of Paul’s role as an apostle. In this case Paul’s function is twofold: to help them in the area of faith and knowledge of truth, and to lead them to experience the hope of eternal life. This kind of understanding is reflected in New Jerusalem Bible “to bring those whom God has chosen to faith and to the knowledge of the truth … and to give them the hope of the eternal life that was promised so long ago by God.”

All of these are possible, but unfortunately translators will have to make a choice. When we weigh all the evidence, the first two alternatives seem closer to the meaning of the text, with the first of these having a slight advantage.

For hope see 1 Tim 1.1. The term includes the idea of confident expectation and not simply wishing that something will happen. For eternal life see 1 Tim 1.16.

Who never lies translates a Greek word that appears only here in the New Testament. The word denotes being free from deceit of any kind; positively it means utterly trustworthy. Another way of expressing this is “God is completely trustworthy!”

What God promised is eternal life, and this he did ages ago. For this last expression see 2 Tim 1.9. Some take ages ago to refer to the Old Testament era; it is more probable, however, that here it refers to the time before there was time, hence before time began (compare Good News Translation), or before the world was created (compare Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “before the world began”).

Alternative translation models for this verse are:

• This knowledge of the true message gives them the hope that they will receive eternal life, which God promised before the world began (or, he created the world). God is completely trustworthy (or, does not lie).

Or:

• This trusting in Christ and the knowledge of the true message will give them the hope….

Or:

• I was also chosen to help them to gain the hope that they will receive….

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Titus. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .