• Titus 1:5
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 5 Τούτου Of this χάριν thanks ἀπέλιπόν I left off σε you ἐν in Κρήτῃ Crete ἵνα in order that τὰ the (things) λείποντα being wanting ἐπιδιορθώσῃ, you might thoroughly straighten upon, καὶ and καταστήσῃς you might set down κατὰ according to πόλιν city πρεσβυτέρους, older men, ὡς as ἐγώ I σοι to you διεταξάμην, I ordered,

  • Titus 1:5
    American Standard Version

    • 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;

  • Titus 1:5
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, That the things remaining undone thou mightest completely set in order, And mightest establish in every city elders As I with thee arranged:—

  • Titus 1:5
    King James Version

    • 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

  • Titus Study Notes—Chapter 1
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 1:5

      Crete: This is one of the larger islands in the Mediterranean and is located at the southern end of the Aegean Sea, about 100 km (62 mi) SE of mainland Greece. Crete is about 250 km (155 mi) long and 56 km (35 mi) wide at its broadest point. The apostle Paul passed by the island on his way to Rome for his first trial. (Ac 27:7-9, 12, 13, 21) It seems that after his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul returned to Crete, this time to engage in the ministry. On departing, he left Titus to continue the work.​—See App. B13; Media Gallery, “Acts of Apostles​—Paul’s Trip to Rome and His First Imprisonment There”; “Paul’s Journeys After c. 61 C.E.”

      so that you would correct: When Paul left Crete, he entrusted Titus with a challenging assignment. Titus was to correct, or set straight, the things that were defective, or deficient, in the Cretan congregations. There was much important work yet to be done there, as indicated by the content of this letter. Paul’s instructions included directions on how to deal properly with those who refused to cooperate, who undermined Titus’ loving direction, or who even promoted sects.​—Tit 1:9; 2:15; 3:10, 11.

      make appointments of elders: These words show that Paul had directed Titus to assign or authorize men to take the lead within each congregation. (Heb 13:7, 17) To be appointed as elders, Christian men had to meet the qualifications that Jehovah inspired Paul to list in the following verses. (Tit 1:6-9; see also 1Ti 3:1-7.) Titus, as well as other traveling overseers​—such as Paul, Barnabas, and apparently Timothy​—was authorized to appoint elders in various congregations.​—See study note on Ac 14:23.

      in city after city: In ancient times, Crete was famous for its many cities. In fact, centuries before Paul’s day, the Greek author Homer poetically wrote about “Crete of the hundred cities.” (The Iliad, II, 649) The exact number of cities and towns on the island in the first century C.E. is unknown. With the expression “in city after city,” Paul means that Titus was to travel throughout the island and appoint elders in the congregations to teach and shepherd the Christians.​—Tit 1:6-9.