Chapter
1 2 3
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Titus 3:3
ESV For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
NIV At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
NASB For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
CSB For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
NLT Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
KJV For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
NKJV For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

What does Titus 3:3 mean?

Verses 1 and 2 emphasize how believers ought to behave. Verse 3 shows the contrast of how former non-believers, including both Paul and Titus, had previously lived in sin. Seven specific sins common to unbelief are noted: 1) foolishness (meaning irrationality), 2) disobedience, 3) being misled, 4) being addicted to desires and experiences, 5) living in evil, 6) living in jealousy, and 7) living in hatred towards one another.

Interestingly, verses 1–2 give seven commands while verse 3 gives a list of seven sins. Each of these concepts is intentionally contrasted against the other, showing the way believers are to live, as opposed to their previous actions. Verse 4 will strengthen this contrast. The difference between a godly and ungodly life is Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings. All three persons of the triune God are involved in our transformation, including God (Titus 3:4), the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), and Jesus Christ (Titus 3:7).
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