After a long and somewhat complicated elaboration of Paul’s apostleship, the addressee of the letter is finally identified. For further information about Titus see 2 Tim 4.10. Paul’s greeting to Titus is quite similar to the way he addressed Timothy in 1 Tim 1.2.

Most of the translational issues have been discussed in 1 Tim 1.2. Therefore the comments here are limited to new issues.

In a common faith is literally “according to a common faith.”

Common translates a word that sometimes means “worthless” or “defiled,” but in this context it stresses the components of mutuality (that is, the faith that both Paul and Titus have) or commonly shared (that is, the faith that all Christians have). If the component of mutuality is focused on, a dual form of the pronoun “our” will have to be used in languages that have this form. If the latter option is chosen, then “our” will have to translated as inclusive, to include Paul, Titus, and all other believers. Faith here can be understood as trust in Christ, in which case the following restructurings are possible: “To Titus, whom I consider my true child because you trust in Christ Jesus as much as (or in the same way that) I do”; “… because you trust in Christ Jesus as much as I and other Christians do”; or “… because both you and I are followers of Christ Jesus (or, Christians).” On the other hand, if faith here is taken as objective, referring to the content of what is believed, then the following restructuring is possible: “… because you and I believe the same teachings (or, doctrines).” Other ways to express To Titus, my true child in a common faith are “Titus, we both believe in Jesus Christ, so you are like a son to me” or “Titus, because we both believe in Jesus Christ, you are like a son to me.”

One notes two differences in the blessing formula: “mercy” is missing, and Savior takes the place of “Lord” as a title for Christ Jesus. For Savior see 1 Tim 1.1, where the title is used for God.

In some languages it will be helpful to restructure verses 1-4 in the following way:

• I, Paul, write this letter to you, Titus. I am a servant of God and a personal representative (or, apostle) of Jesus Christ. They [God and Jesus Christ] chose me and sent me to help God’s people believe more strongly, and to help them gain a better understanding of the true teaching about Christ that will help people to live as God wants them to. This will cause them to confidently expect God to give them eternal life, which he promised before he created the world. We may trust God completely in this. God our [inclusive] Savior made this message known at the right time and has commanded me to proclaim it.
Titus, because we both believe in Christ, you are like a son to me. I pray that God our [inclusive] Father and Christ Jesus our [inclusive] Savior will be kind to you and cause you to have peace.

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 .