1Ricorda loro che siano sottomessi ai magistrati e alle autorità, che siano ubbidienti, pronti a fare ogni opera buona,2che non dicano male di nessuno, che non siano litigiosi, che siano miti, mostrando grande gentilezza verso tutti gli uomini.3Perché anche noi un tempo eravamo insensati, ribelli, traviati, schiavi di ogni sorta di passioni e di piaceri, vivendo nella cattiveria e nell’invidia, odiosi e odiandoci a vicenda.4Ma quando la bontà di Dio, nostro Salvatore, e il suo amore per gli uomini sono stati manifestati,5egli ci ha salvati non per opere giuste da noi compiute, ma per la sua misericordia, mediante il lavacro della rigenerazione e del rinnovamento dello Spirito Santo,6che egli ha sparso abbondantemente su di noi per mezzo di Cristo Gesù, nostro Salvatore,7affinché, giustificati dalla sua grazia, diventassimo, in speranza, eredi della vita eterna.8Certa è quest’affermazione, e voglio che tu insista con forza su queste cose, perché quelli che hanno creduto in Dio abbiano cura di dedicarsi a opere buone. Queste cose sono buone e utili agli uomini.9Ma quanto alle questioni stolte, alle genealogie, alle contese e alle dispute intorno alla legge, evitale, perché sono inutili e vane.10Ammonisci l’uomo settario una volta e anche due; poi evitalo,11sapendo che un tale uomo è traviato e pecca, condannandosi da sé.
Ultime raccomandazioni
12Quando ti avrò mandato Artemas o Tichico, fa’ il possibile per venire da me a Nicopoli, perché ho deciso di passarci l’inverno.13Provvedi con cura al viaggio di Zena, il giurista, e di Apollo, perché non manchi loro niente.14Imparino anche i nostri a dedicarsi a opere buone per provvedere alle necessità, affinché non stiano senza portare frutto.15Tutti quelli che sono con me ti salutano. Saluta quelli che ci amano nella fede. La grazia sia con tutti voi!
1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Ro 13,1; 2Ti 2,21; 1P 2,13)2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Ef 4,31; 1Ti 3,3; 2Ti 2,25)3For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (1Co 6,11)4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, (Ro 2,4)5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Giov 3,5; Ro 3,27; Ro 12,2; 1Co 6,11; Ef 2,4; 1P 1,3; 1P 3,21)6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Gioe 2,28; At 2,33; At 10,45; Ro 5,5)7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Ro 8,17; Tit 1,2; Tit 2,11)8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (1Ti 1,15; Tit 2,14; Tit 3,14)9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (1Ti 1,4; 1Ti 6,4; 2Ti 2,14; 2Ti 2,16)10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, (Mat 18,15; 2G 1,10)11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. (2Ti 4,10; 2Ti 4,12)13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. (At 18,24)14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Fili 1,11; Fili 4,17; Col 1,10; Tit 3,8; 2P 1,8)15All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. (Col 4,18)
Tito 3
King James Version
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.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.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.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.
1Erinnere die Christen daran, dass sie sich den Regierenden und staatlichen Behörden unterzuordnen haben. Sie sollen die Gesetze des Staates befolgen und jederzeit bereit sein, Gutes zu tun.2Kein Christ darf gehässig über andere reden oder gar Streit suchen. Er soll vielmehr jedem freundlich und liebevoll begegnen.3Vergessen wir nicht: Auch wir waren früher unverständig und Gott ungehorsam. Wir gingen in die Irre und wurden von allen möglichen Wünschen und Leidenschaften beherrscht. Bosheit und Neid bestimmten unser Leben. Wir hassten andere, und andere hassten uns.4Aber dann wurde die Güte Gottes, unseres Befreiers, und seine Liebe zu uns Menschen sichtbar.5Er rettete uns – nicht weil wir etwas geleistet hätten, womit wir seine Liebe verdienten, sondern aus lauter Güte. In seiner Barmherzigkeit hat er uns zu neuen Menschen gemacht, durch eine neue Geburt, die wie ein reinigendes Bad ist[1]. Das wirkte der Heilige Geist,6den Gott uns durch unseren Retter Jesus Christus in reichem Maße geschenkt hat.7So sind wir allein durch seine Gnade von aller Schuld befreit. Als seine Kinder und Erben dürfen wir jetzt die Hoffnung auf das ewige Leben haben.
Irrlehrer in der Gemeinde
8Das steht unumstößlich fest. Ich will, dass du dies alles mit Nachdruck weitergibst. Denn alle, die zum Glauben an Gott gefunden haben, sollen sich darum bemühen, Gutes zu tun. Das ist nützlich und hilfreich für alle Menschen.9Wo es törichte Auseinandersetzungen gibt und man völlig sinnlos über Abstammungslinien und Geschlechtsregister streitet, da hast du nichts zu suchen. Beteilige dich nicht an dem Gezänk darüber, wie das jüdische Gesetz auszulegen ist. Das führt zu nichts und hat gar keinen Wert.10Wer falsche Lehren verbreitet, den sollst du ein- oder zweimal zurechtweisen. Kommt er trotzdem nicht zur Einsicht, dann halte dich von ihm fern.11Du weißt doch: Solchen unverbesserlichen Menschen kann man nicht helfen. Sie wollen ihre Sünden nicht einsehen und sprechen sich selbst das Urteil.
Bitten und Grüße
12Sobald ich Artemas oder Tychikus zu dir geschickt habe, komm so schnell wie möglich zu mir nach Nikopolis. Dort will ich den ganzen Winter über bleiben.13Den Rechtsgelehrten Zenas und auch Apollos rüste mit allem aus, was sie für die Reise brauchen, damit ihnen unterwegs nichts fehlt.14Alle, die sich zu Jesus Christus bekennen, müssen lernen, dort zu helfen, wo es nötig ist. Denn sonst bleibt ihr Glaube fruchtlos.15Die bei mir sind[2], lassen dich herzlich grüßen. Viele Grüße an unsere lieben Freunde, die durch den Glauben mit uns verbunden sind. Die Gnade Gottes sei mit euch allen!