Titus

12I went to the city of Troas to tell people the good news about Christ. The Lord opened a door there for my work.

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

NoteTroas was a city by the sea, far from Corinth. An open door is a word picture. It means people there were ready to listen.

13But my heart could not rest, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to the region of Macedonia.

I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

NoteTitus was Paul's friend and helper. Brother here means a friend who loves God too, not a family brother. Macedonia was a land north of Greece.

5When we came to Macedonia, our bodies got no rest. Trouble pressed on us from every side. Outside there were fights. Inside there were fears.

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

NoteMacedonia was a land far from Paul's home. Paul traveled there to visit friends.

6But God comforts people who are sad and worn down. He comforted us when Titus came.

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

NoteTitus was Paul's friend and helper. He carried news and letters between Paul and these friends.

7It was not only that Titus came. You had comforted him, and his news comforted us. He told us how much you wanted to see me. He told us you were sad about what happened. He told us you cared deeply about me. So I was even happier.

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

8My letter made you sad. Even so, I am not sorry I sent it. For a while I was sorry. But I see it made you sad for only a short time.

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

NotePaul had sent them another letter before this one. That letter told them they had done something wrong. It made them sad.

9Now I am glad. Not glad that you were sad, but glad your sadness changed you. You turned away from what was wrong. Your sadness was the kind God wanted. So we did not harm you at all.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10Sadness that comes from God makes people turn away from wrong. That leads to being saved, and no one is ever sorry about it. But the world's kind of sadness leads to death.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

NoteBeing saved means God rescues people and keeps them close to him.

11Look at what this godly sadness did in you. It made you care. It made you want to clear your name. It made you angry at the wrong. It made you afraid. It made you feel a deep longing. It made you eager to act. It made you want things put right. In every way you showed you were innocent in this matter.

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

NoteTo "clear your name" is to show people you did nothing wrong. Innocent means you did not do the bad thing.

12So I did write to you. But not because of the man who did the wrong. And not because of the man who was hurt. I wrote so you could see, with God watching, how much we care for you.

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

NoteSomeone in their group had hurt another person. Paul's earlier letter was about that trouble.

13All of this comforted us. We were even happier to see Titus so glad. All of you made his spirit feel rested and fresh again.

Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14I had bragged to Titus about you. I am not ashamed of that. Everything we told you was true. And our bragging to Titus turned out true too.

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15Titus cares for you even more now. He remembers how all of you obeyed. He remembers how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

Note"Fear and trembling" here does not mean they were scared of Titus. It means they treated him with great respect. To obey is to do what you are asked to do.

16So I am glad. I can trust you in everything.

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

1Friends, we want you to know something. God has been very kind to the churches in Macedonia.

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

NoteChurches means groups of people who love Jesus. It does not mean buildings. Macedonia was a land far away, to the north. Paul wrote this letter, and he had visited both places.

2They were going through a very hard time. They were also very poor. But they were full of joy. So they gave a lot to help others.

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3I can tell you this is true. They gave all they could. Then they gave even more. No one made them do it.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4They begged us again and again. They wanted to share in helping God's people.

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

NoteGod's people here means Christians in a faraway city called Jerusalem. They did not have enough food. Paul was collecting money to help them. That gift is what this whole chapter is about.

5They did more than we hoped for. First they gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us. This is what God wanted.

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

6So we asked Titus to go back to you. He started this kind gift with you. We asked him to finish it too.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

NoteTitus was a good friend who worked with Paul. Paul often sent him to visit churches and carry letters.

16Thank God for this. He put the same love for you into the heart of Titus.

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17Titus was glad when we asked him to go. He was so eager that he chose to come on his own.

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18We are sending a brother with him. All the churches say good things about him. He works hard telling the good news about Jesus.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

NoteBrother here means a man who also follows Jesus. He was not part of Paul's family.

19There is more. The churches chose him to travel with us. He helps carry this gift. The gift honors the Lord. It also shows how ready you are to help.

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

20We want no one to say we did anything wrong. We are handling a large gift.

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

NoteBack then there were no banks and no mail. Money had to be carried by hand on a long trip. So Paul sent several men together. Then no one could say he kept the money for himself.

21We are careful to do what is right. We do right before the Lord. We do right before people too.

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22We are sending another brother with them. We have tested him many times. He always works hard. Now he is even more eager, because he trusts you.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

23Does anyone ask about Titus? He is my partner. He works with me to help you. Does anyone ask about the other brothers? The churches sent them. They bring honor to Christ.

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

NoteA messenger was someone sent to carry news or a gift. These men were speaking and acting for their churches.

24So show these men that your love is real. Let all the churches see it. We have said good things about you. Show them we were right.

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

14Look, I am ready to visit you a third time. I will not ask you for money. I do not want your things. I want you. Children do not save up money for their parents. Parents save up for their children.

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

NotePaul says he acts like a parent to them. Parents take care of children, not the other way around.

15I will gladly spend all I have, and myself too, to help you. I love you more and more. Will you love me less?

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

16Anyway, I did not cost you anything. But some say I was sneaky and caught you with a trick.

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

NotePaul is repeating unkind words that other people said about him. They claimed he tricked the church out of money. Paul says that is not true.

17Did I ever take your money through any of the men I sent to you?

Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

18I asked Titus to go, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus take your money? No. We acted with the same spirit. We walked the same way.

I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

NoteTitus was Paul's friend and helper. Paul sent him to visit this church. Calling someone a brother meant he was another follower of Jesus.

1Fourteen years later I went back to the city of Jerusalem. Barnabas came with me. I took Titus too.

Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

NoteJerusalem was the most important city for Jewish people. The first leaders of the believers met there. Barnabas and Titus were friends who traveled with Paul.

2I went because God showed me to go. I told them the good news I preach to Gentiles, people who are not Jewish. I talked privately with the leaders there. I did not want my work to be wasted.

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

NoteGentiles means everyone in the world who is not Jewish. "Preach" means to stand up and tell people about God. The "good news" is the message that Jesus came to save people.

3Titus was with me, and he was Greek, not Jewish. Still, no one made him get circumcised.

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

NoteCircumcision was a small cut made on a boy's body. It was a sign that his family belonged to God's people, the Jews. Some people said Gentiles had to do this too. Paul said no.

4This came up because some false brothers had sneaked in. They pretended to be friends. They came to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to tie us up with rules again.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

NoteBelievers called each other brothers and sisters. So "false brothers" means men who only pretended to be believers.

5We did not give in to them, not even for a moment. We wanted the true good news to stay with you.

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

9Please try hard to come to me soon.

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10Demas loved this world more, so he left me. He went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus went to Dalmatia.

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

NoteThessalonica, Galatia, and Dalmatia were faraway places. There were no cars or planes. People walked or sailed in boats, and a trip could take weeks. Demas, Crescens, and Titus were friends who helped Paul teach.

11Only Luke is still here with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is a big help to me in my work.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

NoteLuke and Mark were friends who traveled with Paul. They helped him tell people about Jesus.

12I sent Tychicus to the city of Ephesus.

And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

NoteTychicus was another friend who helped Paul. He carried Paul's letters to churches in other towns. Ephesus was a big city by the sea.

1This letter is from Paul. I am a servant of God. I am also an apostle of Jesus Christ, someone he sent out. My work helps the people God chose to trust him. It helps them know the truth that leads to a life that pleases God.

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

NoteLong ago, a letter started with the writer's name. So Paul puts his name first, not at the end. The word apostle means someone who is sent out.

2We wait with hope for life that never ends. God promised this life before the world began. And God cannot lie.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

3At the right time, God made his message clear. He did this through the preaching he trusted to me. God our Savior, the one who saves us, told me to do it.

But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

NotePreaching means standing up and telling a crowd God's message out loud.

4I am writing to Titus. He is like my own son, because we share the same faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior be kind to you. May they give you peace.

To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

NoteTitus was a friend who traveled with Paul and helped him. Paul often began letters by wishing people kindness and peace. It was his way of saying hello.

5I left you on the island of Crete for a reason. You are to finish the work that was not done. You are to choose leaders, called elders, in every town. Do it the way I told you.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

NoteCrete is a big island in the sea, near the land we call Greece. Elders were trusted men who led the group of believers in a town. Back then believers met in people's houses, not in church buildings.

6An elder must be a man no one can blame. He must be the husband of one wife. His children should believe too. No one should be able to say they are wild or refuse to obey.

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7A church leader takes care of God's people, like a manager caring for God's house. So he must be a man no one can blame. He must not be stubborn and always want his own way. He must not be quick to get angry. He must not drink too much. He must not hit people. He must not be greedy for money.

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

NoteThe King James Version calls this leader a "steward." A steward was a servant trusted to run someone's whole house. He looked after the food, the money, and the workers.

8Instead, he must welcome guests into his home. He must love what is good. He must control himself. He must be fair, holy, and steady.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

NoteThere were almost no hotels then. Travelers stayed in people's homes, so welcoming guests was a big kindness. "Holy" means set apart for God, like a cup kept only for special days.

9He must hold on tight to the true message he was taught. Then he can help people with good teaching. He can also show that people who argue against it are wrong.

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

NoteThe King James Version says "sound doctrine." Doctrine means teaching. Sound means healthy and strong, not sick or broken.