SIL Translator’s Notes on Titus 2000 – Page 2

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 3:7

3:7a-c

There are two main ways to understand the structure of 3:7a-c:

(1) The words “having been justified” indicate the basis or grounds for God making us his heirs. For example:

And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The words “having been justified” are part of God’s purpose. For example:

so that we might be justified by his grace

Paragraph 3:8

3:8 provides a link between paragraph 3:3–7 and the next paragraph, 3:9–11. It concludes the teachings in 3:4–7 with an assurance that these teachings are true and a command to Titus to emphasize them. Then, in 3:8d, Paul said that these teachings were “excellent and profitable,” in contrast with the “foolish” and “pointless” teachings he would talk about in 3:9–11.

Different translations start the new paragraph at different places. Because this paragraph is a link between two other paragraphs, it may be best to make it a paragraph by itself, as a number of English versions have done (for example, Good News Bible, New Century Version). You should put the paragraph breaks wherever is most helpful to your readers.

3:8a

This saying is trustworthy: This phrase refers back to what Paul has just written, probably 3:4–7, but possibly 3:1-7. Here are some other ways to translate this:

This is doctrine that you can rely on. (New Jerusalem Bible)

saying: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saying is literally “word, message.” It refers to what Paul had just been writing in the previous paragraph. It does not refer to just one word or one statement.

trustworthy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trustworthy means “reliable,” “sure,” “certain to be true,” “something you can trust.” Paul was telling Titus that he could depend on and trust what he has just told him.

3:8b

And I want you: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And I want you is a way of introducing a request or polite command. You can translate it as:

And so I request that
-or-
And so you should
-or-
And please

to emphasize: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to emphasize means “to insist on” or “to stress.” This verb is in the present tense, which means that Paul wanted Titus to do this frequently or regularly, that is, to keep on emphasizing these matters.

In some languages it may be necessary to indicate to whom Titus was “to emphasize these things.” If this is the case in your language, you could say that Titus was to emphasize these teachings to the believers in Crete, who are mentioned in the following verse part, 3:8c. For example:

I want you to insist on these things to those who have trusted in God

these things: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as these things refers back to the same teachings as 3:8a, that is, the teachings Paul had just given in 3:4–7. You can also translate this phrase as:

these matters
-or-
these teachings
-or-
these instructions

3:8c

so that: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that here introduces the purpose or desired result of Paul’s instructions. Paul wanted Titus to emphasize his teachings in order that the believers in Crete would live in a right way.

those who have believed God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who have believed God refers to Christian believers in Crete. They were people who had trusted God to save them through Jesus Christ. If you have supplied an explicit description of them in 3:8b, here you may just refer back to them with a pronoun such as “they/them.”

will take care to devote themselves to good deeds: This long phrase indicates that Paul wanted the believers to think seriously about how to practice good works. He wanted them to consider carefully how they could do good to others and make a strong effort to do so.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

will be careful to use their lives for doing good (New Century Version)
-or-
will be sure to do good deeds (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
may be intent on engaging in good works (NET Bible)

to good deeds: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good deeds is literally “good works.” See the comment on this in the note on 2:7a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

good works (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
good things (God’s Word)
-or-
good deeds (Good News Bible)

3:8d

These things are excellent and profitable for the people: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as These things refers to the advice and doctrinal truths that Paul had written about in the preceding verses, 3:4–7, or possibly 3:1–7. Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

These things are good and will help everyone. (New Century Version)
-or-
These things are good and beneficial for all people. (NET Bible)

excellent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as excellent means “good.”

profitable: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as profitable means “helpful, useful, beneficial.”

for the people: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the people is literally “for men.” This is, however, a use of “men” that refers to people in general.

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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.

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:9

1:9

In 1:6–8 Paul said that church leaders must behave in a way that pleases God. Now in 1:9 he wrote that church leaders must think and teach correctly about the gospel.

This is the last part of Paul’s list of requirements for church leaders. If it is natural in your language, you could begin 1:9 with a linking word such as “Finally.”

1:9a

He must hold firmly to the faithful word: Many English versions begin this verse with the pronoun He. It refers to the people whom Titus was to appoint as elders. Paul has been talking about these people since 1:5b. If you use a pronoun here, you need to check that it is clear that these people are still being referred to. If it is not clear, you will need to use a noun like “an elder” (see New Century Version). In some languages it may be more natural to use a plural form.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He must hold firmly to the faithful message (NET Bible)
-or-
He must be devoted to the trustworthy message (God’s Word)
-or-
He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

hold firmly: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hold firmly means to believe strongly and persistently in something. It refers to holding something in one’s mind rather that in one’s physical body. Use the expression that is natural in your language for faithful belief in something.

the faithful word: This phrase refers to the gospel teachings about Jesus Christ. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithful means “reliable” or “sure.” It refers to something that is true and does not change. Paul was saying that the gospel is something that people can trust and depend on.

The phrase faithful word also occurs in 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the teachings that are true
-or-
the good news that does not change
-or-
the true message (Contemporary English Version)

as it was taught: Paul said that elders should strongly believe the gospel as it was taught. A literal English translation of the Greek is “according to the teaching.” Paul is saying that the church leaders must firmly believe the same teaching about Jesus Christ that he and the other apostles taught. They must not change those teachings.

This clause is passive. There are several ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

he was taught (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

• Use an active verb. The subject could be Paul and the other apostles (exclusive of Titus), or Paul and his fellow workers (inclusive of Titus). For example:

as we(excl) apostles taught it to you(sing)
-or-
just as we(incl) taught it to him/them

1:9b

so that he can encourage others by sound teaching: The conjunction so that here introduces Paul’s purposes in giving his instruction in 1:9a. This verse part gives the first purpose. If it is natural to do so in your language, you could begin a new sentence here. For example:

He must do this so that he can encourage others by teaching doctrine that is true.

In some languages it may be natural to translate this purpose clause as a clause that indicates the expected result. For example:

Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people. (God’s Word)
-or-
Then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
In this way he will be able to encourage others with the true teaching (Good News Bible)

he can encourage others: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as encourage does not have an explicit object. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the object others. In some languages it may be natural to supply a different object. For example:

overseers can help people (New Century Version)

by sound teaching: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sound means “healthy, wholesome.” Here it is used figuratively to describe a body of teaching that is true or correct. This kind of teaching is spiritually health-giving. It helps believers to become healthy in their minds and spirits and to think and act in a way that pleases God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

with the true teaching (Good News Bible)
-or-
with wholesome teaching (New Century Version)

teaching: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as teaching means “teaching/instruction.” Here it refers to the true teaching about Jesus.

1:9c

and refute those who contradict it: This is another purpose for Paul’s instruction that an elder should firmly believe the trustworthy message about Jesus. There will be people who contradict the message and refuse to believe it. An elder is to firmly believe the gospel so that he can refute those people. To refute them means to show them that they are wrong.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and also to show the error of those who are opposed to it (Good News Bible)
-or-
and show those who oppose it where they are wrong (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
and show those who are against the true teaching that they are wrong

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 2:4

2:4a

In this way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates In this way indicates the purpose for doing something. Here it connects the idea of training younger women (2:4a) as the purpose for the older women teaching what is good (2:3c).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

so that (New American Standard Bible)

and so (Revised English Bible)

they can train: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as train means “encourage” or “advise.” The older women should show the younger women how to behave through their own good conduct and advice.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

they may encourage (New Revised Standard Version)

they can show (the younger women) how

the young women: This is a general term referring to women old enough to be married but young enough to still have a husband and children to care for.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

young married women

2:4b

to love their husbands and children: The Greek text is more literally “to be lovers of their husbands, lovers of their children.” These two ideas represent the mark of a good wife in both Greek and Jewish cultures. They describe a deep affection for family and a commitment to meeting their needs.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to take loving care of their husbands and children

to be loving wives and mothers (Revised English Bible)

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 3:9

Paragraph 3:9–11

In this paragraph Paul gave his final instructions to Titus and the Christians on the island of Crete. He told them to avoid foolish arguments and to avoid people who cause division among Christians.

3:9a

But: The word But indicates that verse 3:9 contrasts with the previous verses. In 3:4-8 Paul wrote about parts of the Christian faith that were “excellent and profitable” for everyone. But now he will talk about things that are not excellent or profitable for people.

avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law: Paul lists four things that Titus should avoid. None of these are physical items. They all refer to actions that Titus should not get involved in. So in some languages it may be more natural to use a different verb or verbs. For example:

do not get involved in foolish controversies, in discussing genealogies, or in arguing and quarreling about the law
-or-
do not take part in foolish arguments about controversial things and family histories. Do not argue or quarrel about the law.

foolish controversies: Titus must avoid foolish controversies. These are foolish issues that people argue about unnecessarily.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

stupid arguments (Good News Bible)
-or-
foolish discussions (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

genealogies: Paul told Titus to avoid genealogies. A “genealogy” is a list of the names of ancestors.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

lists of ancestors
-or-
family histories

Paul did not condemn all genealogies. The Bible contains many genealogies. It seems that Paul wanted Titus not to argue about genealogies. We do not know exactly which genealogies Paul was talking about, but it was something to do with religion, and something that people studied and argued about.

In 1 Timothy 1:4 Paul spoke to Timothy about a similar problem with genealogies.

arguments, and quarrels about the law: The law here refers to the Jewish law, the law that God gave to Moses. The words arguments and quarrels are similar in meaning. Both words refer to fighting with words, not physical fighting. If your language does not have two words for arguments and quarrels you can combine them and say:

arguments about the Jewish law

3:9b

because these things are pointless and worthless: In 3:8 Paul said that Christian teachings were “excellent and profitable.” Now, in contrast, he said that arguing about unimportant things was pointless and worthless.

In some languages it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Also, you may want to repeat the main verb “avoid.” For example:

Avoid these arguments because they do not help anyone and are useless.

because: The word because here introduces the reason why Titus must avoid meaningless arguments. He must avoid them because they do not help anyone and they are of no use.

pointless: The word pointless means “of no help.” Things that are pointless do not help us to grow in the Christian faith. This is the opposite of the word translated as “profitable” in 3:8d.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

they do not help us to grow in the faith
-or-
nothing is gained from them

worthless: The word worthless means “useless” or “futile.” It is similar in meaning to “pointless.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

useless
-or-
empty
-or-
a waste of time (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:10

Section 1:10–16
Paul told Titus to rebuke rebellious people

In this section Paul warned Titus about those in Crete who were opposing correct teaching. They were deceiving believers and ruining their faith. Paul called them liars. They claimed to know God but in reality they did not.

Here are some other ways to translate this heading:

Correct Whoever Teaches What Is Wrong (God’s Word)
-or-
You(sing) must rebuke those who are rebellious

Paragraph 1:10–16

1:10a

For: This word introduces a reason for Paul’s instructions about choosing church leaders. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Because
-or-

Do this/that because

many are rebellious: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebellious describes people who reject and oppose leaders and authority figures. Paul said that there were many such people. The context shows that he was talking about people in the congregations on the island of Crete.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

many people there are rebellious
-or-
many people reject/oppose their leaders
-or-
There are many who don’t respect authority (Contemporary English Version)

1:10b

and full of empty talk and deception: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as full of empty talk and deception are more literally “empty talkers and deceivers” (see the New American Standard Bible). Paul was describing people who regularly say things that are not true or helpful and try to make others believe their lies.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

talk about worthless things and lead others into the wrong way (New Century Version)
-or-
who talk nonsense and try to make others believe it (New Jerusalem Bible)

full of…deception: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as full of…deception is literally “deceivers.” It indicates that these people tried to convince others that their falsehoods were true. They wanted people to believe that their teaching was true, even though it was not.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

and deceive others (Good News Bible)
-or-
they are liars

1:10c

especially: This word here indicates that Paul was thinking of one group in particular. One group of people was very rebellious, talked nonsense, and deceived other people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

This is especially true of (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
in particular
-or-
But the worst of those who do this are (Otomi Back Translation on TW)
-or-
The group that does this/that the most is

those of the circumcision: This phrase refers to Jews who claimed to be Christians but wanted all Christians to follow the Jewish laws. In particular, they wanted all Christian men to be circumcised.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the group that insists that all men be circumcised
-or-
those people who teach that believing men must follow the Jewish laws and have someone circumcise them

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 2:5

2:5a

to be self-controlled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as self-controlled refers to someone who is thoughtful about how they act, is not impulsive and avoids extremes. See how you translated it in 1:8c and 2:2a. Try to translate it in the same way in all three places.

pure: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pure means “ritually clean, free from contamination.” In this context it means moral purity, especially sexual purity. Paul was describing wives and mothers, so in this context it does not refer to celibacy (no sexual activity) but to faithfulness in marriage. It describes virtuous wives, that is, women who refrain from all sexual activity outside of their marriage.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

morally pure (God’s Word)

chaste (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
virtuous women

2:5b

managers of their households: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as managers of their households describes a woman who works hard at home and manages the household well. She takes care of the needs of her family and fulfills all her responsibilities in her home.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

to be homemakers (God’s Word)
-or-
good managers of their household (New Revised Standard Version)

fulfilling their duties at home (NET Bible)

kind: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kind can also be translated as “good.” There are two ways to understand this word in this context:

(1) It refers to a separate quality, that of goodness in the sense of kindness. For example:

to be kind (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), NET Bible, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, God’s Word, King James Version)

(2) It modifies the preceding quality in the list. For example:

to be good housewives (Good News Bible)

(Good News Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) as do the great majority of English versions.

2:5c

submissive to their own husbands: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as submissive to describes someone who accepts the authority of someone else and takes a position subordinate to (under) that person. In the context of a marriage relationship, it can be understood as an attitude of respect, cooperation, and a willingness to serve. Try to use an expression that is natural in your language for an admirable attitude in married women.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

to be subject to their husbands (New International Version (2011 Revision))

respecting the authority of their husbands (Revised English Bible)
-or-
accepting the authority/leadership of their husbands
-or-
to place themselves under their husbands’ authority (God’s Word)

their own husbands: The women were not to be subject to all men but only to their own husbands in their own families.

2:5d

so that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that here introduces a purpose clause. Paul gives his purpose in saying what he had just said about how younger women should behave. Paul’s purpose in giving these instructions was that no one would be able to speak evil of God’s gospel message.

the word of God will not be discredited: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be discredited means “to speak evil of.” If believing women did not behave in the way Paul described, people would likely blame their Christian faith and say bad things about the gospel message.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

no one will malign the word of God (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
no one can speak evil of God’s word (God’s Word)

no one can say insulting things about God’s message (Contemporary English Version)

the word of God: This phrase refers to the message that God gave Paul to preach and teach to the nations.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the message of God (NET Bible)

the teaching that God gave us

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 3:10

3:10a

Reject a divisive man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Reject means “keep/stay away from.” This need not refer to a formal process of excluding the person from the church (excommunication).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

break off contact with a heretic (New American Bible)
-or-
have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
do not be involved with divisive people any more
-or-
turn away from a divisive person

a divisive man: A divisive man is someone who likes to argue a lot and encourages other people to argue and break relationships with those who disagree. Paul was not talking about a specific person. He wanted Titus to warn any and all people who caused divisions in the church. So in some languages it may be natural to use a plural form. For example:

Reject people who cause divisions among you

3:10b

after a first and second admonition: Paul told Titus that he should warn these people twice before taking stronger action. If the person did not change the way he was behaving after Titus had warned the person a second time, Titus must “reject” the person.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Warn him once and then warn him again.
-or-
Tell them once and if they do not stop tell them again.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:11

1:11a

who must be silenced: The Greek is more literally “it is necessary to put something over their mouths.” It indicates that someone should stop or prevent these rebellious people from talking rebellion, nonsense, and lies (1:10a–b). Somebody, probably Titus, must make them stop this kind of talk. In your translation, avoid implying that these people must stop talking completely.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you must make them be quiet (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
It is necessary to stop their talk (Good News Bible)
-or-
It is necessary that they be stopped from saying those things

In the Greek text, the fact that the following clauses give the reason for Paul’s command in 1:11a is implicit. Some translations supply a conjunction in order to introduce the reason why someone should silence the rebellious people. You also may want to do this to make this relationship explicit if that is natural in your language. For example:

They must be silenced because for the sake of dishonest gain, they are disrupting whole households

1:11b

For the sake of dishonorable gain: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dishonorable gain is more literally “shameful gain.” It refers to obtaining money by shameful means, that is, dishonest means. These people were trying to make money by teaching lies.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

For shameful gain
-or-
In order to make a profit by lying
-or-
This is the shameful way they make money. (Contemporary English Version)

For the sake of: This phrase means “For the purpose of.”

1:11c

they undermine entire households: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they undermine means that the rebellious people were causing entire families to be upset and distressed. They were distressed because the teachings of these rebellious people conflicted with the teachings of the gospel of Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they are causing great turmoil in whole households
-or-
they are upsetting whole families (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
they are breaking the peace of entire families

entire households: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as households refers to people living in one house. In Paul’s time this usually consisted of one extended family and their servants.

1:11d

and teach things they should not: This phrase introduces the way in which these rebellious people disrupted whole households. They did so by teaching what was false. You may be able to make this clear by saying:

They do this by teaching what they should not teach
-or-
in that they teach things that they should not

General Comment on 1:11c-d d-b

In some languages it may be natural to order the information in 1:11b-d as it is in Greek. The Greek is more literally, “who overturn entire households, teaching what they should not for the sake of dishonest gain.” “Dishonest gain” was the purpose of the false teachers in teaching “things they should not.”

Here are some other ways to translate these Greek words:

because they are ruining whole families by teaching what they shouldn’t teach. This is the shameful way they make money. (God’s Word)
-or-
They undermine entire households for the sake of dishonest gain by teaching things that they must not teach.
-or-
because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught. (NET Bible)

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 2000

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 3:7

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:9

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 2:4

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 3:9

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:10

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 2:5

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 3:10

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:11

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