1
Σὺ δὲ λάλει ἃ πρέπει τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ.
But as for you, speak the things that befit sound teaching.
The emphatic 'But you' sets Titus over against the deceivers of 1:10–16; his task heads the chapter — speech that matches healthy doctrine, the standard for all that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ΣὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but, and'; here strongly adversative — Titus contrasted with the false teachers just described.
λάλειspeakPres Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (command)→ customary present (habitual practice)λαλέω: 'speak, talk'; the present imperative enjoins Titus's settled, ongoing ministry of the word.
ἃthe things thatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λάλει)
πρέπειbefitPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πρέπωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic present (general truth)πρέπω: 'be fitting, becoming, proper'; speech and conduct must be congruent with the doctrine they serve.
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑγιαινούσῃsound/healthyPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · ὑγιαίνωattributive participle (modifies διδασκαλίᾳ)→ stative present (continuing condition)ὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy, sound' (cf. 'hygiene'); a Pastorals keyword — doctrine pictured as wholesome and life-giving, vs. the diseased teaching of the opponents.
διδασκαλίᾳteachingDativedat. complement of πρέπει (the standard)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; the body of apostolic instruction Titus is to safeguard and apply.
2
πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι, σεμνούς, σώφρονας, ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ πίστει, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ·
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness.
The first group spelled out under 'sound teaching': aged men marked by sobriety, gravity, and self-mastery, and healthy in the triad faith–love–endurance. The infinitive εἶναι depends on the preceding λάλει.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
πρεσβύταςolder menAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive εἶναιπρεσβύτης: 'old(er) man, elder' (by age, not the office πρεσβύτερος); the head of the household code.
νηφαλίουςtemperate/soberAccusativepredicate adjective (complement of εἶναι)νηφάλιος: 'sober, temperate'; lit. free from the influence of wine, then clear-headed and restrained generally.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect command (depends on λάλει, v.1)→ stative present
σεμνούςdignifiedAccusativepredicate adjectiveσεμνός: 'dignified, honorable, worthy of respect'; a gravity that commands esteem.
σώφροναςself-controlledAccusativepredicate adjectiveσώφρων: 'sensible, self-controlled, prudent'; the cardinal virtue σωφροσύνη — the soundness of a mind in proper balance, a leitmotif of this chapter.
ὑγιαίνονταςsound/healthyPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ὑγιαίνωpredicate participle (parallel to the adjectives)→ stative present (continuing condition)ὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy, sound'; the doctrine that is healthy (v.1) is to produce healthy lives — here in the cardinal graces.
τῇin theDativearticle
πίστειfaithDativedat. of reference/respect (sphere of soundness)πίστις: 'faith, faithfulness'; the first of the classic triad.
τῇin theDativearticle
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of reference/respectἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving regard for others, the second member of the triad.
τῇin theDativearticle
ὑπομονῇsteadfastness/enduranceDativedat. of reference/respectὑπομονή: 'patient endurance, perseverance' (lit. 'remaining under'); replaces the usual 'hope' to suit the aged who have long borne much.
3
πρεσβύτιδας ὡσαύτως ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς, μὴ διαβόλους, μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας, καλοδιδασκάλους,
Older women likewise are to be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,
'Likewise' carries forward the implied 'speak that they be': aged women whose bearing is priestly-reverent, free of gossip and drink, and positively trainers in goodness — preparing the bridge to the younger women.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
πρεσβύτιδαςolder womenAccusativeaccusative subject of the implied infinitiveπρεσβῦτις: 'old(er) woman, aged woman'; the feminine counterpart to πρεσβύτης in v.2.
ὡσαύτωςlikewiseadverb (correlation with the previous group)ὡσαύτως: 'in the same way, likewise'; links each successive group to the governing charge of v.1.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect/sphere)
καταστήματιdemeanor/deportmentDativedat. of respect (object of ἐν)κατάστημα: 'demeanor, deportment, bearing'; outward conduct as the visible 'state' of a person; NT hapax.
ἱεροπρεπεῖςreverentAccusativepredicate adjectiveἱεροπρεπής: 'fitting for a sacred person/temple, reverent' (ἱερός + πρέπω); a bearing as becomes the holy — picks up πρέπει of v.1; NT hapax.
μὴnotnegative particle
διαβόλουςslanderersAccusativepredicate adjective (substantival)διάβολος: 'slanderous; slanderer' (lit. 'one who throws across, accuses'); as a noun, the Devil — here the trait of malicious talk.
μὴnotnegative particle
οἴνῳto wineDativedat. of agency/instrument (with δεδουλωμένας)οἶνος: 'wine'; the master to which one must not be enslaved.
πολλῷmuchDativeattributive adjective
δεδουλωμέναςenslavedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Fem · δουλόωpredicate participle (with μή)→ intensive perfect (resultant state of bondage)δουλόω: 'enslave, make a slave'; the perfect pictures a settled servitude — the vice has become one's master.
καλοδιδασκάλουςteachers of goodAccusativepredicate adjective (substantival)καλοδιδάσκαλος: 'teaching what is good' (καλός + διδάσκαλος); a positive office for the aged women; NT hapax — coined for this list.
4
ἵνα σωφρονίζωσιν τὰς νέας φιλάνδρους εἶναι, φιλοτέκνους,
so that they may train the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,
The point of making the aged women 'teachers of good': they are to school the young wives in the domestic affections — love for husband and child as the first lessons of σωφροσύνη.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
σωφρονίζωσινthey may train/admonishPres Act Subj 3 Pl · σωφρονίζωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ customary present (ongoing instruction)σωφρονίζω: 'bring to sound mind, train in self-control, admonish'; from σώφρων — the older women instill the chapter's central virtue; NT hapax.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
νέαςyoung womenAccusativedirect object of σωφρονίζωσιννέος: 'young, new'; fem. pl. substantival, the young(er) wives.
φιλάνδρουςloving their husbandsAccusativepredicate adjective (complement of εἶναι)φίλανδρος: 'loving one's husband' (φίλος + ἀνήρ); a virtue praised on Greco-Roman wives' epitaphs; NT hapax.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect discourse (content of training)→ stative present
φιλοτέκνουςloving their childrenAccusativepredicate adjective (parallel to φιλάνδρους)φιλότεκνος: 'loving one's children' (φίλος + τέκνον); another stock household virtue; NT hapax.
5
σώφρονας, ἁγνάς, οἰκουργούς, ἀγαθάς, ὑποτασσομένας τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν, ἵνα μὴ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ βλασφημῆται.
to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be slandered.
The catalogue for young wives continues, climaxing in submission to their own husbands — and the first statement of the section's recurring motive: that the gospel itself not be brought into disrepute by believers' conduct.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
σώφροναςself-controlledAccusativepredicate adjective (still under εἶναι, v.4)σώφρων: 'self-controlled, sensible'; the same cardinal virtue urged on every group in the chapter.
ἁγνάςpureAccusativepredicate adjectiveἁγνός: 'pure, chaste, innocent'; moral and especially sexual purity.
οἰκουργούςworkers at homeAccusativepredicate adjective (substantival)οἰκουργός: 'working at home, caring for the household' (οἶκος + ἔργον); diligent in domestic responsibility, not idle; NT hapax.
ἀγαθάςgood/kindAccusativepredicate adjectiveἀγαθός: 'good, kind, benevolent'; here good-hearted, perhaps esp. kind in the home.
ὑποτασσομέναςsubmittingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Fem · ὑποτάσσωpredicate participle (parallel to the adjectives)→ customary present (habitual disposition)ὑποτάσσω: 'subject, subordinate' (mid. 'submit oneself'); a military-administrative term for ordered rank; here voluntary, willing submission.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἰδίοιςtheir ownDativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own'; stresses the particular marriage bond — their own husbands, not men generally.
ἀνδράσινhusbandsDativedat. complement of ὑποτασσομέναςἀνήρ: 'man, husband'; here the marriage partner.
ἵναso thatconjunction (negative purpose)
μὴnotnegative particle (with the subjunctive)
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςwordNominativesubject of βλασφημῆταιλόγος: 'word, message'; here the gospel proclamation — its reputation is at stake in the believers' lives.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/authorθεός: God; the word's divine origin makes its slander the more serious.
βλασφημῆταιmay be slanderedPres Pass Subj 3 Sg · βλασφημέωsubjunctive (negative purpose clause)→ present (general)βλασφημέω: 'slander, revile, blaspheme'; inconsistent Christian living gives outsiders occasion to malign the message.
6
τοὺς νεωτέρους ὡσαύτως παρακάλει σωφρονεῖν·
Likewise urge the younger men to be self-controlled,
The fourth group, with a direct imperative to Titus (παρακάλει): the whole of their charge is gathered into the single verb σωφρονεῖν — the chapter's signature virtue, here standing alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
νεωτέρουςyounger menAccusativedirect object of παρακάλεινεώτερος: 'younger' (comparative of νέος); substantival, the young(er) men.
ὡσαύτωςlikewiseadverb (correlation)ὡσαύτως: 'in the same way, likewise'; again binds the group to the governing charge.
παρακάλειurge/exhortPres Act Impv 2 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (command to Titus)→ customary present (continual exhortation)παρακαλέω: 'call alongside, exhort, encourage, urge'; pastoral appeal rather than bare command.
σωφρονεῖνto be self-controlledPres Act Inf · σωφρονέωinfinitive of indirect command (content of the exhortation)→ customary present (settled habit)σωφρονέω: 'be of sound mind, be self-controlled, sensible'; the verbal form of the σώφρων family — the one thing pressed on the young men.
7
περὶ πάντα σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος τύπον καλῶν ἔργων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀφθορίαν, σεμνότητα,
in everything showing yourself a model of good works, with integrity in your teaching, dignity,
The young men are reached through Titus's own example: a participle of attendant manner makes him the pattern (τύπος) of good works, his teaching marked by uncorrupted purity and gravity.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
περὶinpreposition + accusative (reference)περί: with the accusative, 'concerning, with respect to'; here 'in regard to all things.'
πάνταall thingsAccusativeobject of περίπᾶς: 'all, every'; the example is to be comprehensive.
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativedirect object of παρεχόμενοςσεαυτοῦ: 'of yourself'; the reflexive — Titus presents his own self for inspection.
παρεχόμενοςshowing/providingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · παρέχωadverbial participle (manner/attendant circumstance)→ customary present (continual presentation)παρέχω: 'offer, present, furnish' (mid. 'present oneself as'); the participle agrees with the implied 'you' of παρακάλει (v.6).
τύπονmodel/patternAccusativedouble accusative (object complement of σεαυτόν)τύπος: 'mark, pattern, example' (lit. an impression struck by a blow); the leader as a die that stamps others.
καλῶνof goodGenitiveattributive genitiveκαλός: 'good, fine, noble'; 'good works' (καλὰ ἔργα) is a refrain of this letter (1:16; 2:14; 3:8, 14).
ἔργωνworksGenitivegenitive of content (what the model consists of)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; concrete actions, the visible fruit of sound doctrine.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
διδασκαλίᾳteachingDativedat. of sphere (the realm of the next qualities)διδασκαλία: 'teaching'; the model extends to the manner of Titus's instruction.
ἀφθορίανintegrity/incorruptionAccusativeaccusative in apposition / object (in the teaching)ἀφθορία: 'incorruption, purity, integrity' (ἀ- privative + φθείρω, 'corrupt'); soundness untainted by error or self-interest; NT hapax.
σεμνότηταdignityAccusativeaccusative (parallel to ἀφθορίαν)σεμνότης: 'dignity, gravity, seriousness'; the noun of σεμνός (v.2) — instruction delivered with becoming weight.
8
λόγον ὑγιῆ ἀκατάγνωστον, ἵνα ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας ἐντραπῇ μηδὲν ἔχων λέγειν περὶ ἡμῶν φαῦλον.
sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
The capstone of Titus's pattern — healthy, unimpeachable speech — with its purpose: the adversary is shamed, finding no fault to allege against 'us,' the Christian community.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
λόγονspeech/wordAccusativeaccusative (parallel to ἀφθορίαν, σεμνότητα)λόγος: 'word, speech'; here Titus's manner of speaking, to be wholesome and beyond reproach.
ὑγιῆsound/healthyAccusativeattributive adjectiveὑγιής: 'healthy, sound, whole'; the adjective behind ὑγιαίνω — sound speech matching sound doctrine (v.1).
ἀκατάγνωστονbeyond reproachAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀκατάγνωστος: 'not condemnable, beyond reproach' (ἀ- + καταγινώσκω, 'condemn'); giving critics no legal/moral foothold; NT hapax.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας)
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἐναντίαςthe opposing (side)Genitiveobject of ἐξ (idiom: ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας = 'the opponent')ἐναντίος: 'opposite, hostile'; ἐξ ἐναντίας = 'from the opposing side,' i.e. the adversary.
ἐντραπῇmay be put to shameAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἐντρέπωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aorist (come to shame)ἐντρέπω: 'turn about,' pass. 'be made ashamed, be put to shame'; the opponent reduced to silence by blameless conduct.
μηδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of ἔχων/λέγεινμηδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the negative fitting the subjunctive mood of the clause.
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωadverbial participle (cause/attendant circumstance)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; here 'having (nothing) … to say.'
λέγεινto sayPres Act Inf · λέγωcomplementary infinitive (with ἔχων)→ present (general)λέγω: 'say, speak'; ἔχων λέγειν = 'having (anything) to say.'
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of περί (the Christian community)
φαῦλονbad/evilAccusativeattributive adjective (modifies μηδέν)φαῦλος: 'worthless, bad, evil'; 'nothing bad' — no genuine accusation to bring.
9
δούλους ἰδίοις δεσπόταις ὑποτάσσεσθαι ἐν πᾶσιν, εὐαρέστους εἶναι, μὴ ἀντιλέγοντας,
Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not contradicting,
The final group, again governed by the charge of v.1 (infinitive ὑποτάσσεσθαι): bondservants ordered under their own masters in all things, pleasing and non-argumentative — the largest single sphere of the early church.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
δούλουςslavesAccusativeaccusative subject of ὑποτάσσεσθαιδοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; household slaves, addressed as full members of the believing community.
ἰδίοιςtheir ownDativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own'; their own masters in particular (cf. v.5).
δεσπόταιςmastersDativedat. complement of ὑποτάσσεσθαιδεσπότης: 'master, lord, owner' (cf. 'despot'); the absolute head of a household over its slaves.
ὑποτάσσεσθαιto submitPres Mid Inf · ὑποτάσσωinfinitive of indirect command (depends on λάλει, v.1)→ customary present (habitual practice)ὑποτάσσω: 'subject, subordinate' (mid. 'submit oneself'); the same verb used of the young wives in v.5.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/extent)
πᾶσινeverythingDativeobject of ἐν (extent of submission)πᾶς: 'all'; neuter pl., 'in all things' (within the bounds of obedience to God).
εὐαρέστουςwell-pleasingAccusativepredicate adjective (complement of εἶναι)εὐάρεστος: 'well-pleasing, acceptable' (εὖ + ἀρέσκω); giving satisfaction to the master in service.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect command (parallel to ὑποτάσσεσθαι)→ stative present
μὴnotnegative particle
ἀντιλέγονταςcontradicting/talking backPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀντιλέγωpredicate participle (with μή)→ customary present (habitual disposition)ἀντιλέγω: 'speak against, contradict, talk back' (ἀντί + λέγω); the insolent answering-back that befits no servant of the gospel.
10
μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν πίστιν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν.
not pilfering, but showing all good faithfulness, so that in everything they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior.
Negative-then-positive (μή … ἀλλά): not pilfering but proving wholly trustworthy — so that even slaves, in their lowly station, may make the doctrine of God our Savior beautiful before the world. The missionary motif of v.5 returns, now stated positively.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
μὴnotnegative particle
νοσφιζομένουςpilfering/embezzlingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · νοσφίζωpredicate participle (parallel to ἀντιλέγοντας)→ customary present (habitual practice)νοσφίζω: 'set apart for oneself, purloin, embezzle' (mid.); the same verb of Ananias' theft in Acts 5:2–3 — petty pilfering by household slaves.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong contrast)ἀλλά: 'but'; sets the positive virtue over against the prohibited vice.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective
πίστινfaithfulnessAccusativedirect object of ἐνδεικνυμένουςπίστις: here 'faithfulness, fidelity, trustworthiness' (not 'faith' as belief); the reliability that makes a slave dependable.
ἐνδεικνυμένουςshowing/demonstratingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἐνδείκνυμιpredicate participle (positive counterpart)→ customary present (continual demonstration)ἐνδείκνυμι: 'show forth, demonstrate, give proof of' (mid.); fidelity made visible in conduct.
ἀγαθήνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifies πίστιν, framing it)ἀγαθός: 'good'; qualifies the fidelity as genuinely good — wholly reliable goodwill.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
διδασκαλίανteachingAccusativedirect object of κοσμῶσινδιδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; the same word as v.1 — the gospel made attractive by holy living.
τὴνthe (one)Accusativearticle (repeated, attributive: 'the [teaching] of …')
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitivegenitive (source/possession; defines the teaching)σωτήρ: 'savior, deliverer'; a Pastorals title applied to both God (here, 1:3; 3:4) and Christ (1:4; 3:6), framing this chapter's twin 'appearings.'
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to σωτῆρος ('God our Savior')θεός: God; 'God our Savior' — the doctrine belongs to him and is honored by the conduct it produces.
κοσμῶσινthey may adornPres Act Subj 3 Pl · κοσμέωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ customary present (ongoing adornment)κοσμέω: 'order, arrange, adorn, beautify' (cf. 'cosmetic,' 'cosmos'); humble fidelity sets off the gospel like a jewel in its setting.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect/sphere)
πᾶσινeverythingDativeobject of ἐν ('in all things')
11
Ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις,
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people,
The decisive γάρ: the whole household code rests on a saving event. God's grace, personified, has dawned (ἐπεφάνη) as a salvation offered to all — the first of the chapter's two 'appearings.'
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Ἐπεφάνηappeared/dawnedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιφαίνωmain verb (fronted for emphasis)→ constative aorist (the decisive event)ἐπιφαίνω: 'show forth, appear, dawn' (pass.); the verb of ἐπιφάνεια, an 'epiphany' — here Christ's first coming as the manifestation of grace.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction (grounds vv.1–10)γάρ: 'for'; introduces the doctrinal basis of the preceding ethical charge.
ἡtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubject of ἐπεφάνηχάρις: 'grace, favor'; God's unmerited saving kindness, here all but personified as the agent that has come and now trains (v.12).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (grace originating from God)θεός: God; the grace's origin — it is God's own favor that has appeared.
σωτήριοςbringing salvationNominativepredicate adjective (modifies χάρις)σωτήριος: 'saving, bringing salvation' (adj. of σωτήρ/σωτηρία); the grace is salvific in character; NT hapax as adjective here.
πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope of the offer — without distinction of group, answering the diverse classes of vv.2–10.
ἀνθρώποιςpeopleDativedat. of advantage/indirect object (those benefited)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; 'all people' — every kind of person addressed in the code.
12
παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι,
training us so that, having renounced ungodliness and worldly desires, we might live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
Grace is not merely declared but pedagogical (παιδεύουσα): it disciplines believers — a decisive break with ungodliness, then a positive life triply qualified (self-controlled, upright, godly) lived out 'in the present age,' between the two appearings.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
παιδεύουσαtraining/discipliningPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · παιδεύωadverbial participle (modifies ἡ χάρις, v.11)→ customary present (continual instruction)παιδεύω: 'train, instruct, discipline' (from παῖς, 'child'); grace acts as a tutor forming character, sometimes through correction.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of παιδεύουσα
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose/content of the training)
ἀρνησάμενοιhaving renouncedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀρνέομαιadverbial participle (antecedent/attendant to ζήσωμεν)→ constative aorist (decisive renunciation)ἀρνέομαι: 'deny, renounce, refuse'; a definitive turning-away from the old life as the negative side of grace's schooling.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀσέβειανungodlinessAccusativedirect object of ἀρνησάμενοιἀσέβεια: 'ungodliness, impiety' (ἀ- + σέβομαι, 'revere'); the antithesis of εὐσεβῶς below — irreverence toward God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
κοσμικὰςworldlyAccusativeattributive adjectiveκοσμικός: 'worldly, belonging to this world' (from κόσμος); desires shaped by the present fallen order.
ἐπιθυμίαςdesiresAccusativedirect object of ἀρνησάμενοι (coordinate)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust'; here the disordered cravings renounced under grace's discipline.
σωφρόνωςself-controlled-lyadverb of manner (modifies ζήσωμεν)σωφρόνως: 'sensibly, with self-control'; the adverb of σώφρων — the chapter's master-virtue, now toward oneself.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δικαίωςuprightlyadverb of mannerδικαίως: 'justly, righteously'; rightness toward one's neighbor.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐσεβῶςgodlyadverb of mannerεὐσεβῶς: 'piously, godly'; reverence toward God — directly reversing the ἀσέβεια renounced above; the three adverbs cover self, neighbor, God.
ζήσωμενwe might liveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ζάωsubjunctive (main verb of the purpose clause)→ constative aorist (the life as a whole)ζάω: 'live'; the comprehensive conduct that grace aims to produce in this age.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
νῦνpresentadverb used attributively ('the now age')νῦν: 'now'; with the article, 'the present (age),' set over against the awaited consummation of v.13.
αἰῶνιageDativedat. of time/sphere (object of ἐν)αἰών: 'age, era'; the interim between Christ's two appearings in which godly life is lived.
13
προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,
awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Godly life is oriented to the future: a participle of expectation makes 'the blessed hope' and 'the appearing' a single event — Christ's glorious return. By the Granville Sharp construction (one article governing θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος), the one expected is named 'our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' — a direct affirmation of Christ's deity.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
προσδεχόμενοιawaiting/expectingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσδέχομαιadverbial participle (attendant circumstance to ζήσωμεν, v.12)→ customary present (continual expectation)προσδέχομαι: 'wait for, expect, welcome'; the posture of hopeful watching that shapes present conduct.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
μακαρίανblessedAccusativeattributive adjectiveμακάριος: 'blessed, happy'; the hope is itself blessed and makes blessed those who hold it.
ἐλπίδαhopeAccusativedirect object of προσδεχόμενοιἐλπίς: 'hope'; here the objective thing hoped for — equated by the single article with the 'appearing.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (epexegetic: hope = appearing)καί: 'and'; one article over ἐλπίδα … ἐπιφάνειαν binds them as a single reality (hendiadys).
ἐπιφάνειανappearingAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ἐλπίδα)ἐπιφάνεια: 'appearing, manifestation' (cf. ἐπεφάνη, v.11); a royal-advent term — here Christ's glorious second coming, balancing his first.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitivegenitive (of content/quality: the glorious appearing)δόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the appearing is the manifestation of divine glory.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (the single article governing both nouns — Granville Sharp)
μεγάλουgreatGenitiveattributive adjective (modifies θεοῦ)μέγας: 'great'; 'our great God' — exalted language applied within the title to Jesus Christ.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (first noun of the Granville Sharp pair)θεός: God; by the one-article construction (TSKS) θεοῦ and σωτῆρος denote a single person — Jesus Christ, here called God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joins the two nouns under one article)καί: 'and'; the conjunction in the article–noun–καί–noun (Granville Sharp) construction that identifies the two titles as one referent.
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitivegenitive (second noun of the pair; no second article)σωτήρ: 'Savior'; the absence of a second article ties 'God' and 'Savior' to one person, named next.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition (names the 'great God and Savior')Ἰησοῦς: Jesus; the personal name making explicit who the great God and Savior is.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive in apposition (title)Χριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; completing the name-title of the one whose appearing is awaited.
14
ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων.
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
A relative clause grounds the hope in the cross: Christ gave himself 'for us' with a twofold redemptive aim — to ransom from all lawlessness and to cleanse a treasured people of his own, whose mark is zeal for the good works that crowned the whole chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; antecedent = Jesus Christ)
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist (the once-for-all self-offering)δίδωμι: 'give'; ἔδωκεν ἑαυτόν — the language of voluntary self-surrender, echoing Jesus' own ransom saying (Mk 10:45) and Gal 1:4.
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativedirect object (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: 'himself'; the gift is his very self, not merely something he possessed.
ὑπὲρfor/on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (substitution/advantage)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, for the sake of'; the characteristic preposition of atonement — in our place and for our good.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose of the self-giving)
λυτρώσηταιhe might redeemAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · λυτρόωsubjunctive (first purpose verb)→ constative aorist (the act of ransom)λυτρόω: 'ransom, redeem' (from λύτρον, 'ransom price'); deliverance by payment — here from bondage to lawlessness; echoes Ps 130:8.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of λυτρώσηται
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjective
ἀνομίαςlawlessnessGenitiveobject of ἀπό (that from which we are ransomed)ἀνομία: 'lawlessness, iniquity' (ἀ- + νόμος); the realm of bondage from which redemption frees.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second purpose verb)
καθαρίσῃhe might purifyAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καθαρίζωsubjunctive (second purpose verb, coordinate)→ constative aorist (the act of cleansing)καθαρίζω: 'cleanse, purify, make clean'; covenant-formation language (Ezek 37:23) — redemption issues in a purified people.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativedat. of advantage (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: 'himself'; the people are cleansed to be Christ's own — the goal of redemption is possession.
λαὸνa peopleAccusativedirect object of καθαρίσῃλαός: 'people'; covenant term for God's own people, now the church (cf. Exod 19:5; 1 Pet 2:9).
περιούσιονtreasured/his own possessionAccusativeattributive adjective (modifies λαόν)περιούσιος: 'specially chosen, treasured, one's own possession'; a LXX word for Israel as God's segullah (Exod 19:5; Deut 7:6), now applied to the church; NT hapax outside this echo.
ζηλωτὴνzealousAccusativeaccusative in apposition to λαόνζηλωτής: 'zealot, enthusiast'; the redeemed people characterized by eager devotion — here to good deeds, not to a faction.
καλῶνof goodGenitiveattributive genitiveκαλός: 'good, noble'; the recurring 'good works' theme (v.7) returns as the goal of redemption.
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobjective genitive (the object of the zeal)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the purified people are passionate for good works — the chapter's ethics rooted in the cross.
15
Ταῦτα λάλει καὶ παρακάλει καὶ ἔλεγχε μετὰ πάσης ἐπιταγῆς· μηδείς σου περιφρονείτω.
Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
The section closes as it opened, with λάλει: three imperatives (speak, exhort, reprove) sum up Titus's task, to be carried out with full authority, sealed by a command that he not be despised.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of the imperativesοὗτος: 'this'; neuter pl., summing up the whole instruction of the chapter.
λάλειspeak/declarePres Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (command)→ customary present (ongoing ministry)λαλέω: 'speak'; the same verb that opened the section (v.1), forming an inclusio.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρακάλειexhortPres Act Impv 2 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (command, coordinate)→ customary presentπαρακαλέω: 'exhort, encourage, urge'; the positive appeal (cf. v.6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔλεγχεreprove/rebukePres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐλέγχωmain verb (command, coordinate)→ customary presentἐλέγχω: 'expose, convict, reprove'; the corrective side of ministry (cf. 1:9, 13), balancing the exhortation.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner/accompaniment)
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjective
ἐπιταγῆςauthority/commandGenitiveobject of μετά (manner: 'with all authority')ἐπιταγή: 'command, authority, injunction'; Titus speaks not on his own warrant but with full commissioned authority.
μηδείςno oneNominativesubject of περιφρονείτωμηδείς: 'no one'; the negative subject of a third-person imperative.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of περιφρονείτω (verb takes genitive)
περιφρονείτωlet him disregardPres Act Impv 3 Sg · περιφρονέωthird-person imperative (prohibition with μηδείς)→ customary present (no settled disdain to be allowed)περιφρονέω: 'look down on, despise, disregard' (περί + φρονέω, 'think around/past'); akin to the charge to Timothy not to let his youth be despised (1 Tim 4:12); NT hapax.