Paragraph 3:3–7
3:3a
For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For is a word that links this paragraph (3:3-7) back to the last paragraph (3:1-2). Paul had just told Titus (in 3:1–2) how the believers should behave and now (3:3–8) he gave the reasons why they should behave in that way, namely that God had been kind and loving to the believers while they were still evil, so now they should likewise be kind and loving to others.
Here is another way to translate this transition word:
Because (T4T)
Some English versions do not translate this word. Do whatever is most natural in your own language.
at one time: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as at one time refers to an indefinite time in the past. In this context it means “the time before we became Christians” or “before we believed.” Here are some other ways to translate this word:
In the past (New Century Version)
-or-
Once (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
we too were foolish: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translated as foolish means “stupid” or “without understanding.” In this context, it indicates that all these people did not understand spiritual matters.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
we also were foolish (New Century Version)
-or-
we, like them, had no understanding of God’s ways
we: The Greek pronoun the Berean Standard Bible translates as we here is inclusive: Paul included himself and Titus and the believers in Crete. He was as foolish as the Christians in Crete had been.
too: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as too here means “also, as well.” Paul and Titus, and the other believers, were all once ignorant of the gospel, just like the pagans among whom they lived, the “everyone” of 3:2c.
disobedient: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disobedient here indicates that these people did not obey instructions. See note on 1:16c where the same word is used.
Paul did not make explicit whose instructions these people failed to obey. Scholars suggest two options:
(1) It refers specifically to disobeying God.
(2) It means more general disobedience—disobeying both God and human authorities.
Most English versions leave this ambiguous. You should do the same if that is possible in your language. If, however, in your language you must say whom they were disobeying, it is recommended that you supply “God”:
disobedient to God
-or-
did not obey God
misled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as misled is passive in form. Paul probably meant that before the Christians believed in Jesus, other people, or perhaps Satan, lied to them or deceived them to discourage them from believing. There are at least two ways to translate this:
• Using a passive verb. For example:
we were misled
-or-
we ourselves were…led astray (New Revised Standard Version)
• Using an active verb and supplying a subject. For example:
people lied to us
-or-
Satan deceived us
3:3b
and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures: This verse part indicates that these people used to be slaves to desires and pleasures, that is, they were controlled by them. They were not free to behave in a different way.
This is a passive clause and there are at least two ways to translate it:
• using a passive verb. For example:
enslaved to various lusts and pleasures (New American Standard Bible)
• using an active verb. For example:
and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
Translate this using the verb form that is most natural in your language. In some languages it may be natural to leave the verb implied:
slaves to various passions and pleasures
all sorts of desires and pleasures: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all sorts of means “various.” It refers to both desires and pleasures. These desires and pleasures affected not just one area of life but many areas of life.
desires: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as desires implies a desire to do something evil or immoral, so it can also be translated “passions” or “lust.”
pleasures: This word is similar in meaning to “desires.” It refers to all kinds of enjoyable activities, illegal or immoral as well as legal and moral, whatever gives pleasure.
3:3c
living in malice and envy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living in means “passing our lives” or “spending our time.” Paul was saying that before people became Christians, they spent their time doing malicious and envious things. Here are some other ways to translate this:
spending our life in malice and envy (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous. (New Century Version)
-or-
Our lives were full of evil and envy. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
malice: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as malice is a general word referring to evil or wickedness.
envy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as envy refers to the desire to possess something that someone else has, that is, the desire for your own well-being rather than that of the other person. This is the action forbidden by the Tenth Commandment, “You shall not covet.”
3:3d
being hated and hating one another: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as being hated is an adjective that describes something as worthy of hate, that is, hateful. There are several ways to translate it:
• As a verb. For example:
others hated us and we hated them (Good News Bible)
• As an adjective. For example:
hateful (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
despicable (New Revised Standard Version)
Here is another way to translate this verse part:
We behaved in a way that caused people to hate us, and we hated one another.
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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.