Read & explore together
Paul’s Greeting to Titus
These opening verses show how Paul introduces himself, describes his work, and greets Titus. The greeting is brief, but it joins faith, truth, godliness, hope, God’s promise, and God’s saving message.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is the opening greeting of the letter to Titus. In these verses, Paul identifies himself, explains the purpose and basis of his ministry, speaks about the hope of eternal life, and addresses Titus with a blessing from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 1:1–4Main takeaway
Paul’s greeting connects his ministry with faith, truth according to godliness, the hope of eternal life, God’s revealed word, and grace, mercy, and peace.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul’s identity and callingPaul introduces himself as both “a servant of God” and “an apostle of Jesus Christ”. He says his work relates to “the faith of God’s chosen ones” and “the knowledge of the truth”.
Explanation
Paul introduces himself as both “a servant of God” and “an apostle of Jesus Christ”. He says his work relates to “the faith of God’s chosen ones” and “the knowledge of the truth”. Paul also links this truth with godliness, because he speaks of “the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness”.
02Hope based on God’s promisePaul next speaks of “hope of eternal life”. This hope rests on God’s character, because God “can’t lie”.
Explanation
Paul next speaks of “hope of eternal life”. This hope rests on God’s character, because God “can’t lie”. Paul also says this eternal life was “promised before time began”. The verse does not explain every detail here, but it clearly joins this hope to God’s trustworthy promise.
03God’s word revealed at the right timeVerse 3 says God “revealed his word” in “his own time”. That word came through “the message” Paul was entrusted with.
Explanation
Verse 3 says God “revealed his word” in “his own time”. That word came through “the message” Paul was entrusted with. Paul does not present this work as self-appointed. He says it was given to him “according to the commandment of God our Savior”, stressing God’s authority in the message he carries.
04Titus and the blessing of the greetingPaul addresses Titus as “my true child according to a common faith”. This shows a close bond grounded in shared faith.
Explanation
Paul addresses Titus as “my true child according to a common faith”. This shows a close bond grounded in shared faith. He then gives a greeting of “grace, mercy, and peace” from “God the Father” and “the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior”. The letter begins with relationship, faith, and blessing together.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words does Paul use to describe himself at the start, and what do they show about his role?
Look closely at the titles in Titus 1:1 and notice both service to God and authority from Jesus Christ.
02Why can Paul speak confidently about the hope of eternal life?
Titus 1:2 connects this hope to God’s promise and to the fact that God can’t lie.
03How does Paul describe Titus, and what is the basis of their connection?
The answer is in Titus 1:4, where Paul links their relationship to a “common faith”.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Titus 1:1–4
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
2in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began;
3but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
4to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.