SIL Translator’s Notes on Titus 2000 – Page 4

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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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 1:10

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 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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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:1

Paragraph 1:1–3

1:1a

Paul: The apostle Paul was the writer of this letter. He began the letter with his name. In some languages it is not natural for a person to refer to himself only by his name, as Paul did here. If that is the case in your language, you may want to say:

I, Paul

Paul did not use a verb here. In some languages, it may be natural to supply a verb. For example:

I, Paul, am sending/writing this letter
-or-

This letter is from me, Paul

a servant of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant normally refers to an unpaid servant or slave. Paul said that he was God’s slave. This implied that he belonged to God and that he served God by doing what God told him to do.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a slave of God (NET Bible)
-or-
a worker of/for God
-or-

I serve God

1:1b

an apostle of Jesus Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as an apostle means “a messenger” or “a person who is sent on a mission.” It refers to a person who is given authority to do a task or give a message. This person represents the person who sent him and has his authority. In this context, Paul was sent by Jesus Christ to represent him and do the task that Jesus gave him.

Here are some ways to translate the phrase an apostle of Jesus Christ:

a person sent to speak/act on behalf of Jesus Christ
-or-
a special messenger from Jesus Christ
-or-
a representative of Jesus Christ
-or-
a man with authority from Jesus Christ

See how you translated apostle in Romans 1:1b, 1 Corinthians 1:1a and 1 Timothy 1:1b. Translate here in the same way that you did there. Be careful to choose different terms for “apostle,” “angel,” “elder,” and “prophet.”

of Jesus Christ: In the phrase Jesus Christ, Jesus is a personal name and Christ is a title. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” Your translation should not imply that Christ is a surname.

To make it clear that Christ is a title, you may want to:

• Put the title before the name. For example:

Christ Jesus

• Translate it as “Messiah” or “the Messiah.” For example:

Messiah Jesus
-or-
Jesus the Messiah

• Indicate in some other way that Christ is a title. One way to do this in English is to use the article “the” before a title. For example:

Jesus the Christ

1:1c

for the faith of God’s elect: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for here probably indicates purpose. It introduces Jesus’ purpose in choosing Paul to be his apostle. Scholars have interpreted the phrase for the faith of God’s elect in at least two ways:

(1) It means that Paul was made an apostle to help believers to believe more strongly in Jesus. For example:

to help the faith of God’s chosen people (New Century Version)

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

(2) It means that Paul was made an apostle in order to explain the gospel to people who were not yet believers, so that they would begin to believe. For example:

to lead God’s chosen people to faith (God’s Word)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word)

Both were Paul’s job, and we cannot be certain which one Paul was focusing on here. If you can translate this verse so that it can mean both things, you may do so. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the term God’s elect most naturally refers to those who are already Christians. Of the two interpretations given for 1:1c, probably the first is closer to Paul’s meaning. In this letter to Titus, Paul talks about teaching believers true teachings and how believers should behave. So it is more likely that in 1:1c he is talking about helping believers to believe more strongly. Also, in other places in the NT, the word elect (Greek: eklektos) refers to people who are already believers (for example, see Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 1:1–2, 2:9, Revelation 17:14).)

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in order to encourage the faith of God’s chosen ones
-or-
for the sake of the faith of God’s elect (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it may be natural to supply a verb and translate this as a complete sentence. For example:

I was sent to help the faith of God’s chosen people (New Century Version)
-or-
I encourage God’s own people to have more faith (Contemporary English Version)

God’s elect: This phrase refers to the people whom God chose to believe in him and be his special people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those chosen of God (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
those chosen by God
-or-
the people whom God chose to be his own/special people

1:1d

and their knowledge of the truth: This phrase indicates the second purpose for which Paul was made an apostle. Paul was also made an apostle in order to help God’s chosen people know the truth better. The word truth refers to the gospel message, that is, the teachings of Christianity and the truth about Jesus Christ and his work.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and to strengthen their knowledge of the true things about Jesus
-or-
and to help them know the truth (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a separate sentence. For example:

I teach them to understand his true message (Easy English Bible)

1:1e

that leads to godliness: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as godliness:

(1) It means a way of life that pleases God. For example:

that shows people how to serve God (New Century Version)

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

(2) It means religion. For example:

taught by our religion (Good News Bible)

(Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was saying that this true teaching causes people to behave in a way that honors God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

that shows them how to live godly lives (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
As a result they will live in a way that pleases God. (Easy English Bible)

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:13

1:13a

This testimony is true: Paul himself begins speaking here again. These words are not from the Cretan prophet. In some languages this may be made clear by the ending of 1:12d. In some languages this must be made clear here. For example:

And I, Paul, say that this saying is true
-or-
What the prophet said about the Cretans is true.

1:13b

Therefore rebuke them sternly: The phrase rebuke them sternly means to tell them very strongly that they are wrong. The Greek tense indicates an ongoing action. For example:

Therefore, keep/continue rebuking them strongly

them: This word probably refers to the rebellious people. In some languages a literal translation will be clear enough. In some languages explaining who this group is will be helpful. For example:

those rebellious people

1:13c

so that they will be sound in the faith: This is a purpose clause. The phrase so that introduces Paul’s first purpose in telling Titus to rebuke rebellious people. He wanted Titus to help them become strong in the true faith. For example:

so that they may become sound in the faith (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
in order that they may believe accurately
-or-
so that they continue to have faith that is alive and well (God’s Word)
-or-
to make them strong in the faith (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

they will be sound in the faith: Here the word sound means “healthy” or “free of errors.” See how you translated the word sound in 1:9.

in the faith: The phrase the faith here refers to the content of the Christian religion as a whole. This includes its doctrines about Jesus Christ and the gospel as well as its teachings about how Christians should behave.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:14

1:14a

and will pay no attention to Jewish myths: This is the second purpose for rebuking the rebellious Cretan people. Paul wanted Titus to rebuke the rebellious believers so that they would stop paying attention to Jewish myths.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they will stop thinking about Jewish myths
-or-
They shouldn’t pay attention to Jewish myths (God’s Word)

The word “they” is implied from 1:13c.

Jewish myths: A “myth” is a fictional story that people pass down from one generation to another. Often in these stories people do things that normal people cannot do. These myths were Jewish probably because Jews wrote them about Jews.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

fantasy/imaginary stories that the Jews wrote
-or-
Jewish stories that did not really happen

1:14b

or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the commands of men is literally “the human commands.” Paul was saying that ordinary people spoke or wrote these commands. They did not come from God. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

or to commands that people wrote/invented themselves
-or-
or to human rules
-or-
or commands given by people who are always rejecting the truth (God’s Word)

who have rejected the truth: Here the word truth refers to God’s truth, God’s true message. In some languages it may be natural to translate these words as a separate sentence. For example:

Those things are the ideas of people who refuse to obey God’s true message. (Easy English Bible)
-or-

Those commands/rules are made up by people who reject the true word/message from God.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:15

1:15a

To the pure, all things are pure: In this verse part Paul used the word pure in two ways. First it refers to people who are morally and spiritually pure. Then in the second occurrence it refers to objects that are ritually pure and acceptable for use by God’s people.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

If someone is clean and good inside, everything is clean and good for them to enjoy. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
Everything is pure for someone whose heart is pure. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
All things are ritually clean to those who are clean/pure in heart.

To the pure: The phrase the pure refers to people who are spiritually and morally clean because they have been cleansed by God through their faith in Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

To people who are pure (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
To those who are pure/clean in their heart/spirit

all things are pure: This clause indicates that all things that God has made are good and there is nothing inherently wrong in them. Paul was probably thinking of Jesus’ teaching that his disciples need not obey the Jewish food laws about clean and unclean foods. See Romans 14:20b. See also 1 Timothy 4:3-4. Paul was not saying that all actions are pure and right. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

all created things/objects are clean
-or-
all food items are ritually pure

1:15b

but to the defiled and unbelieving: The phrase the defiled refers to people who are not pure, people who have bad morals. It is the same group of people as those who are unbelieving. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

but to those who are corrupt and unbelieving (NET Bible)
-or-
to corrupt unbelievers (God’s Word)
-or-
but…to those who are defiled and unbelieving (Good News Bible)

and unbelieving: This implies that these are people who do not believe in Jesus and the gospel.

nothing is pure: This is the opposite of “all things are pure” in 1:15a. Paul was probably implying that these people defiled everything they touched. Because they were not pure in heart, they could offer nothing that was acceptable to God.

1:15c

Indeed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Indeed here introduces a stronger additional statement. Here are some other ways to translate this:

In fact
-or-
Truly

both their minds and their consciences are defiled: This clause explains “the defiled” in 1:15b. The meaning of these people being defiled is emphasized because it is repeated here.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

their minds and their sense of what is right and wrong are twisted (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Both their minds and their consciences have been ruined. (New Century Version)

their minds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as minds refers to a person’s thinking, intellect, or understanding.

consciences: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consciences refers to the aspect of a person’s thinking that causes him to feel ashamed or guilty when he does something wrong. It refers to how a person judges or evaluates his own deeds and behavior, approving or disapproving what he has done.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

their assessment/evaluation of their deeds
-or-
their sense of what is right and wrong (New International Reader’s Version)

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SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:16

1:16a

They profess to know God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as They profess means to say that something is true, whether it is true or is not true. It implies that the person speaking wants his listeners to believe what he said. Here, these people did not know God but said that they knew God. They wanted their listeners to believe that they knew God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They told people that they knew God
-or-
They say that they know God
-or-
They declare, “We(excl) know God.”

They: This pronoun refers to the people described in 1:15b–c.

1:16b

but by their actions they deny Him: These people were doing things that showed that they did not know God or believe in him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

but they deny that they know him by what they do
-or-
However, by the way they act they show that to be a lie.

The Greek and the Berean Standard Bible have placed the phrase by their actions in the front of the clause to emphasize it. Some languages cannot emphasize it in that way. Try to emphasize this phrase in a way that is natural in your language.

1:16c

They are detestable: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as detestable means “horrible/awful/disgusting.” God is disgusted with their deeds.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They are disgusting
-or-
They are horrible people.

disobedient: This word here indicates that these people did not obey God. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

they always disobey
-or-
they never obey God

1:16d

and unfit for any good deed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unfit refers to failing a test. Here the test is about doing good. These people failed that test, so they are not qualified to do good. If they tried to do good, they would fail.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and they are not able to do anything good
-or-
and they are not competent to do any good thing

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 2000

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:9

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:10

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:11

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:1

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:13

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:14

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:15

SIL Translator's Notes on Titus 1:16

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