The big picture
Titus 3 opens in verse 1 with “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that…”, and closes in verse 15 with “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with…” Repeated or prominent terms include good, works, foolish, grace, love. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Titus · King James Version · 15Titus 3:1-8
1–8: Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey…
Titus 3:1–8 opens with “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to…” and reaches “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Former hostility and foolishness giving way to mercy, renewal, gentleness, and readiness for good works; Fruitless disputes set aside while believers meet urgent needs and help coworkers continue their journey, with particular weight carried by good, Saviour, works.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,” Naming Put keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Titus 3:1-8
King James Version1Put 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.
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.
Titus 3:9-15
9–15: Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings…
Titus 3:9–15 opens with “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for…” and reaches “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Former hostility and foolishness giving way to mercy, renewal, gentleness, and readiness for good works; Fruitless disputes set aside while believers meet urgent needs and help coworkers continue their journey, with particular weight carried by admonition, Amen, Apollos.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable…” The line’s distinctive content terms include avoid, contentions, foolish. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
Titus 3:9-15
King James Version9But 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.
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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Titus 3:1 begins with “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
Where the chapter turns
Titus 3:9 forms a natural hinge: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
The final note
Titus 3:15 leaves the reader with “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words good, works, foolish, grace, love, maintain help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does blame move through the conversation?
The man points to the woman and indirectly to God; the woman points to the serpent. Neither response repairs trust.
Where does mercy appear?
Continued life, the promise involving offspring, and clothing accompany the expulsion.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.