While reading this passage using different translations, as few things are noteworthy. In the HCSB they translate verse 2 as “always showing gentleness” while the ESV translates the same passage as “to show perfect courtesy.” The term used in both translations indicates a sense of meekness and gentleness that is shown by both translations. The NASB translates the same passage as “showing every consideration,” which brings out the aspect of meekness that is intended by Paul. The nuanced differences described in this passage all convey the original meaning of Paul well, and each major translation does a good job of putting forth an understandable and clear translation. One similarity between the major translations is that all of them recognize
Paul recently visited the island of Crete, and after planting a few small churches left Titus on the small island near Greece as he likely return to Macedonia. Accord to the traditional understanding, this letter was written between the first and second imprisonment of Paul that eventually led to his death. In fact, “Paul passed this island as a prisoner journeying on ship from Jerusalem to Rome in AD 61.” Scripture is clear that Paul wanted to go to the island because of the storm, but the captain of the ship did not heed his advice. The church in Crete struggled in its origin, and the people there were known for the rambunctious behavior, something Paul continually addresses. In regards to the date of this letter, one can use context clues to deduce the general time of writing. Dr. Paul M. Zehr, the primary author of the Believers Church Bible Commentary, states, “Except for the opening (1:1-4), the final greeting (3:12-15), and two confessional passages (2:11-14; 3:4-7), the epistle of Titus has content similar to 1 Timothy.” Considering that Paul wrote 1 Timothy between 62-64 AD, there is an excellent case to argue for a date around
Most people living in the 1st century lived agrarian lifestyles, and many herded flocks of cattle while raising their crops. Cities also played a large role in their society, and these cities “thrived with commercial enterprise, as well as with artisan, religious, and intellectual life. Public entertainment included theater, musical performance…and gladiatorial combat.” People enjoyed their leisure and their work, and many people in this time led diverse lifestyles, knowing multiple languages and regularly engaging in the public sector. People held family in high esteem, even though men regularly divorced their wives and committed infidelity. Unlike today, people owned slaves, and many of these slaves came from various backgrounds. Slaves “came from conquest in war, voluntary entrance into slavery, or birth into a slave family,” so no exact people group can readily be identified as slaves. Even though slavery is abhorred as an abomination in today’s context, slavery in New Testament times was commonplace, and Paul regularly refers to himself and those he loves as slaves to Christ. In the modern context, rarely will anyone refer to themselves or anyone else as a slave, unless they are quoting the Bible. The entire region of Rome submitted itself to regional rulers, who all subjected themselves to the rule of Caesar. This is similar to the democracy in the United States, where city mayors answer