This 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.
Parallel translations
- WEB This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
- BSB This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- NKJV This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
- NASB This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.
- NLT This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
This is a trustworthy saying, and Titus is to insist on it so believers will devote themselves to good works that benefit everyone. It matters because grace-based salvation rightly leads to a life of good works.
Overview
Paul calls the preceding gospel summary 'faithful' and wants it taught with confidence. Far from making good works unnecessary, grace is meant to produce them: those who trust God should be careful to 'maintain good works.' Such works are 'good and profitable to men,' blessing the wider community.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Titus 3:14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
- Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
- Titus 1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
- Ps 16:2–3O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
- Titus 3:1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
- Rom 4:5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
- 1 Tim 1:15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
- 1 Pet 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
- John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
- John 12:44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
- Job 22:2Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
- 1 Jn 5:10–13He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
- Phlm 1:11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
- Ps 78:22Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
- Prov 21:28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
- 2 Cor 4:13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
- 2 Cor 9:12–15For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
- Acts 12:15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
- Job 35:7–8If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
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Christ at the center
We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 3:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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