1:3a

In His own time He has made His word evident: The Greek text is more literally “at his appointed season he has brought to light his word.” Scholars have understood this clause in two ways:

(1) At the right time God brought to light his word, that is, the gospel message. This is the message referred to as “the truth” in 1:1d. For example:

who indeed at the proper time revealed his word (New Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (1984 Revision), New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) At the right time God brought to light the hope of eternal life mentioned in 1:2a. For example:

At the right time God let the world know about that life (New Century Version)

(New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Bible, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, English Standard Version)

Some versions remain ambiguous or equate the two options. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The object of the Greek clause is “his word” and not “the hope of eternal life” from 1:2b.

In His own time: The phrase In His own time means “at the time that God chose.” The revelation of God’s word happened at the right time, at the time that God chose for it to be revealed.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

at the proper time (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
at just the right time (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

He has made His word evident: The phrase made…evident here means “revealed.” It indicates that God made something clearly known to people. He made His word, that is, his message, the gospel message, known through Paul.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he has revealed this message (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
he made his Word known (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
God has caused people to know his gospel message

1:3b

in the proclamation entrusted to me: Paul’s proclamation was the means by which God revealed his word (1:3a). The content of that proclamation had been entrusted to Paul, that is, God gave him the responsibility of defending and proclaiming the gospel message. In this way God caused people to know this message.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

through the preaching with which I have been entrusted (English Standard Version)
-or-
He did this through the preaching that he trusted me with. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
He gave me the work of declaring that word/message.

entrusted to me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as entrusted here indicates that God gave Paul an important task or responsibility and expected him to do it well.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

He trusted me with that work (New Century Version)
-or-

he gave it to me
-or-

he gave me the responsibility for it

by the command of God our Savior: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as command is a strong word that refers to a command/order issued by a superior person.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

by order of God our Savior (Good News Bible)
-or-

God commanded me to do this.

God our Savior: The pronoun our is inclusive of Titus and all Christian believers.

In some languages it may be necessary to translate the word Savior as a phrase. For example:

God, the one who saves us(incl) from sin

General Comment on 1:3b

In some languages it may be natural to change the order of information in this verse part. For example:

It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

General Comment on 1:1-3

In the Greek, Titus 1:1-3 forms one long sentence. In many languages it will be natural to translate these verses as several shorter sentences. For example:

^1aThis letter is from me, Paul. I am God’s servant ^1band an apostle of Jesus Christ. ^1c-dGod has sent me to help the people that he has chosen. I teach them to understand his true message and to trust him. ^1eAs a result they will live in a way that pleases God. ^2a-bBefore the world began, God promised that his people would have life with him. And God never tells lies. ^3a-bGod is the one who saves us. Now, at the proper time, he has made his message clear. He has given his message to me so that I can tell it to people. That is what he has told me to do. (Easy English Bible)

Section 1:5–9
Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in the churches

In this section Paul began the main content of his letter, which continues through 3:11. He made a general statement about what he wanted Titus to do and then talked about how to choose men to be the leaders in the local churches. This section, especially 1:6–8, is very similar to 1 Timothy 3:1–7. If you have already translated 1 Timothy, you should compare your work there with the list here in Titus. Both lists talk about the character and behavior of elders in the church.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Paul writes to Timothy concerning the appointment of church leaders
-or-
Instructions on how to select men to be elders in the churches
-or-
Qualifications for church leaders

Paragraph 1:5–9

1:5a

The reason I left you in Crete: This phrase introduces Paul’s purpose in leaving Titus on the island of Crete. Some time before Paul wrote this letter, he had been on the island of Crete with Titus. At some point Paul had to leave to go somewhere else. He left Titus in charge of helping the new churches and teaching the believers. So here in 1:5 Paul was reminding Titus of things he had already told him some time before.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

This is why I left you in Crete (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I left you in Crete, so that (Good News Bible)

I left you in Crete: Paul asked Titus to stay in Crete to do a specific job. Avoid translating this in a way that suggests that Paul abandoned Titus without discussing it with him. It may be possible to translate this as:

When I left Crete, I asked you to remain there

In some languages it may be more natural to use direct speech here. For example:

When I left Crete, I said to you, “I want you to stay here.”

Crete: Crete is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea. In some languages it may be natural to make this explicit:

Crete island
-or-

the island of Crete

1:5b

was that you would set in order what was unfinished: This verse part tells the reason why Paul left Titus in Crete. Paul wanted Titus to put in order some things that had not yet been completed. Here are some other ways to translate this:

was to set in order the remaining matters (NET Bible)
-or-
to do what still needed to be done (God’s Word)
-or-
so that you could put in order the things that still needed doing (Good News Bible)

set in order: This phrase means “organize” or “cause things to be the way they should be.”

what was unfinished: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what was unfinished is more literally “the left/remaining things.” There were some things that Paul thought should be done f