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Titus 3:14
ESV And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
NIV Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
NASB Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive.
CSB Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
NLT Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
KJV And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
NKJV And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

What does Titus 3:14 mean?

After telling Titus that the church should assist Zenas and Apollos on their mission trip, Paul adds a plea. Christians should be diligent in pursuing good works, something mentioned frequently in this letter (Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:5; Titus 3:8). This is specifically meant to apply to Zenas and Apollos, and the care given them by the churches of Crete.

Beyond that, believers of Crete are instructed to be efficient in their support, prioritizing issues of urgent need. This refers to meeting dire needs, or time-sensitive concerns. The Good Samaritan represents an example of this type of scenario. There, Jesus taught that a "neighbor" is a person in need (Luke 10:25–37). Believers are commanded to love neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:40), which includes meeting the practical needs of those around us.

Second Peter 1:8 also mentions this idea: acting out Christian principles is a way of avoiding "unfruitful," or "wasted" living.
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