1 Paul, ARom 1:1; James 1:1; Rev 1:1a bond-servant of God and an B2 Cor 1:1apostle of Jesus Christ, 1Or according tofor the faith of those CLuke 18:7chosen of God and D1 Tim 2:4the knowledge of the truth which is E1 Tim 6:3according to godliness, 2 in A2 Tim 1:1; Titus 3:7the hope of eternal life, which God, B2 Tim 2:13; Heb 6:18who cannot lie, CRom 1:2promised 1Lit before times eternalD2 Tim 1:9long ages ago, 3 but A1 Tim 2:6at the proper time manifested, even His word, in BRom 16:25; 2 Tim 4:17the proclamation C1 Tim 1:11with which I was entrusted D1 Tim 1:1according to the commandment of ELuke 1:47; 1 Tim 1:1; Titus 2:10; 3:4God our Savior,

4 To A2 Cor 2:13; 8:23; Gal 2:3; 2 Tim 4:10Titus, B2 Tim 1:2my true child 1Lit according toin a C2 Pet 1:1common faith: DRom 1:7Grace and peace from God the Father and E1 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 1:1Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 For this reason I left you in AActs 27:7; Titus 1:12Crete, that you would set in order what remains and BActs 14:23appoint CActs 11:30elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, A1 Tim 3:2-4; Titus 1:6-8if any man is above reproach, the B1 Tim 3:2husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of CEph 5:18dissipation or DTitus 1:10rebellion. 7 For the 1Or bishopA1 Tim 3:2overseer must be above reproach as B1 Cor 4:1God’s steward, not C2 Pet 2:10self-willed, not quick-tempered, not D1 Tim 3:3addicted to wine, not pugnacious, E1 Tim 3:3, 8not fond of sordid gain, 8 but A1 Tim 3:2hospitable, B2 Tim 3:3loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 A2 Thess 2:15; 1 Tim 1:19; 2 Tim 1:13holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in B1 Tim 1:10; Titus 2:1sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

10 A2 Cor 11:13For there are many BTitus 1:6rebellious men, C1 Tim 1:6empty talkers and deceivers, especially DActs 11:2those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting A1 Tim 5:4; 2 Tim 3:6whole families, teaching B1 Tim 5:13things they should not teach C1 Tim 6:5for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “AActs 2:11; 27:7Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason A1 Tim 5:20; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:15reprove them B2 Cor 13:10severely so that they may be CTitus 2:2sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish A1 Tim 1:4myths and BCol 2:22commandments of men who C2 Tim 4:4turn away from the truth. 15 ALuke 11:41; Rom 14:20To the pure, all things are pure; but BRom 14:14, 23to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their C1 Tim 6:5mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 A1 John 2:4They profess to know God, but by their deeds they B1 Tim 5:8deny Him, being CRev 21:8detestable and DTitus 3:3disobedient and E2 Tim 3:8worthless F2 Tim 3:17; Titus 3:1for any good deed.