Titus 3

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul tells Titus to remind believers to be subject to rulers, ready for every good work and gentle toward all men, because "we ourselves also were sometimes foolish." God saved us "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy," so believers should be careful to maintain good works and avoid foolish questions. Paul closes with travel plans and greetings. Titus 3:1 Titus 3:2 Titus 3:3 Titus 3:5 Titus 3:8 Titus 3:9 Titus 3:12

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul writes to Titus about the believers in his care and "a man that is an heretick." He also names Artemas and Tychicus, one of whom he will send, and Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, whom Titus is to help on their journey. Titus 3:1 Titus 3:10 Titus 3:12 Titus 3:13

Where

Crete, where Titus was. Paul asks him to come to Nicopolis, where Paul has decided to winter. Titus overview Titus 3:12 Nicopolis

When

Traditionally about AD 63-65. Many scholars date it later, about AD 80-100. Paul plans to spend the coming winter at Nicopolis. Titus overview Titus 3:12

How it fits

Chapter 2 spoke of grace "teaching us"; this last chapter shows that grace in God's mercy, which saved us, and ends the letter with "Grace be with you all." Titus 2:11 Titus 2:12 Titus 3:5 Titus 3:15

Key verses

Verse 5
"Not 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." Ephesians 2:8-9 agrees: saved by grace, "not of works." Titus 3:5 Ephesians 2:8 Ephesians 2:9
Verse 7
Being "justified by his grace," believers are made "heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Romans 3:24 also speaks of being "justified freely by his grace." Titus 3:7 Romans 3:24
Verse 8
Because God saved them by mercy, those who believe are to be "careful to maintain good works." Good works follow salvation; they do not earn it. Titus 3:5 Titus 3:8

Takeaway

Remember that God saved you by his mercy, not your works, and let that make you gentle toward everyone and ready for every good work. Titus 3:2 Titus 3:3 Titus 3:5 Titus 3:8

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.

Ready for every good work

¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, ²To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Saved by his mercy

³For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 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.

Avoid foolish questions

⁹But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ¹⁰A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; ¹¹Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Plans and greetings

¹²When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. ¹³Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. ¹⁴And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. ¹⁵All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.