Titus 3
What Happens in This Chapter
Paul tells Titus to remind believers to obey rulers, avoid fighting, and treat everyone gently. He reminds them that they once lived badly, and that God saved them because of his mercy, not because of good deeds they had done. Titus is to keep teaching this, stay away from pointless arguments, and turn away from a person who keeps causing division after two warnings. The letter ends with travel plans, a word about helping others, and greetings.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
1Remind God's people to obey their rulers and leaders. Tell them to be ready to do good.
2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
2Tell them not to say bad things about anyone. They should not fight. They should be gentle and kind to everyone.
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3We used to act that way too. We were foolish. We would not obey. We were fooled. We did whatever we felt like doing. We were mean and jealous. People hated us, and we hated them.
The old English word "sometimes" here does not mean "now and then." It means "at one time," back before they knew God.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
4Then God our Savior showed how kind he is. He showed how much he loves people.
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
5He saved us. It was not because of the good things we did. He saved us because he is kind. He washed us clean and gave us a new start through the Holy Spirit.
"Holy Ghost" is the old English way of saying "Holy Spirit." "Ghost" simply meant spirit in 1611. It is not a scary word here.
6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
6God poured his Spirit on us in a big way. He did this through Jesus Christ, who saves us.
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
7God was kind and made us right with him. So now we are his children. We wait for the life that never ends.
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
8This is true, and you can trust it. Keep telling people these things. Then those who believe God will work hard at doing good. These things are good, and they help everyone.
9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
9Stay away from silly arguments. Do not argue about long family lists. Do not fight about the rules God gave Moses. Those fights help no one.
10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
10Some people stir up fights and split God's people apart. Warn a person like that once, then warn him again. After that, stay away from him.
The old word "heretic" here does not mean someone who is just wrong about an idea. It means a person who keeps starting fights and pulling people apart.
11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
11You can see that such a person has gone the wrong way. He keeps doing wrong. He knows he is guilty.
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
12I will send Artemas or Tychicus to you. When he comes, hurry and meet me at Nicopolis. I have decided to spend the winter there.
13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
13Do all you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their trip. Make sure they have everything they need.
"That nothing be wanting" is old English for "so they do not lack anything." It is not about wishing for things.
14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
14Our people must learn to do good too. They should help others who really need it. Then their lives will not be empty.
15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
15Everyone here with me says hello to you. Say hello to our friends who love us and believe. May God be kind to you all. Amen.
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