Titus 3 · Verse 8

Titus 3:8

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:8, King James Version

Titus 3:8 in other translations

BSB	This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
WEB	This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
ASV	Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:
YLT	Stedfast is the word; and concerning these things I counsel thee to affirm fully, that they may be thoughtful, to be leading in good works--who have believed God; these are the good and profitable things to men,
DARBY	The word is faithful, and I desire that thou insist strenuously on these things, that they who have believed God may take care to pay diligent attention to good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
BBE	This is a true saying; and it is my desire that you may give certain witness about these things, so that those who have had faith in God may give attention to good works. These things are good and of profit to men;
Webster	This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

What does Titus 3:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. Greek, "faithful is the saying." A formula peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles. Here "the saying" is the statement (Tit 3:4-7) as to the gratuitousness of God's gift of salvation. Answering to the "Amen." these things, &c.--Greek, "concerning these things (the truths dwelt on, Tit 3:4-7; not as English Version, what follow), I will that thou affirm (insist) strongly and persistently, in order that they who have believed God (the Greek for 'believed in God' is different, Joh 14:1. 'They who have learnt to credit God' in what He saith) may be careful ('Solicitously sedulous'; diligence is necessary) to maintain (literally, 'to set before themselves so as to sustain') good works." No longer applying their care to "unprofitable" and unpractical speculations (Tit 3:9). These things--These results of doctrine ("good works") are "good and profitable unto men," whereas no such practical results flow from "foolish questions." So Grotius and Wiesinger. But Alford, to avoid the tautology, "these (good works) are good unto men," explains, "these truths" (Tit 3:4-7).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 8. This is a faithful saying. 1Timm 1:15. The reference here is to what he had been just saying, meaning that the doctrine which he had stated about the method of salvation was in the highest degree important, and entirely worthy of belief.

And these things I will that thou affirm constantly. Make them the constant subject of your preaching.

That they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. This shows that Paul supposed that the doctrines of the gospel were fitted to lead men to holy living. Comp. Tit 3:1, and Php 4:8. The "good works," here refer not merely to acts of benevolence and charity, but to all that is upright and good--to an honest and holy life.

These things are good and profitable unto men. That is, these doctrines which he had stated were not mere matters of speculation, but they were fitted to promote human happiness, and they should be constantly taught.

(b) "careful" Tit 3:1,14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 8 This is a faithful saying - Πιστος ὁ λογος· This is the true doctrine; the doctrine that cannot fail. And these things I will - Και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι· And I will, or desire, thee to maintain earnestly what concerns these points. The things to which the apostle refers are those of which he had just been writing, and may be thus summed up: - 1. The ruined state of man, both in soul and body. 2. The infinite goodness of God which devised his salvation. 3. The manifestation of this goodness, by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 4. The justification which they who believed received through his blood. 5. The mission of the Holy Spirit, and the purification of the heart by his influence. 6. The hope of the resurrection of the body, and the final glorification of both it and the soul through all eternity. 7. The necessity of obedience to the will of God, and of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they had been called. 8. And all these points he wills him to press continually on the attention of believers; and to keep constantly in view, that all good comes from God's infinite kindness, by and through Christ Jesus. They which have believed in God - All Christians; for who can maintain good works but those who have the principle from which good works flow, for without faith it is impossible to please God. These things are good and profitable - They are good in themselves, and calculated to promote the well-being of men.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Titus 3:8-11

When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Titus 3:8 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠιστὸςPistosTrustworthy [is]G4103

ὁhotheG3588

λόγος,logossaying,G3056

καὶkaiandG2532

περὶpericoncerningG4012

τούτωνtoutōnthese thingsG3778

βούλομαίboulomaiI wantG1014

σεseyouG4771

διαβεβαιοῦσθαιdiabebaiousthaito affirm stronglyG1226

ἵναinaso thatG2443

φροντίζωσινphrontizōsinmay take careG5431

καλῶνkalōnto goodG2570

ἔργωνergōnworksG2041

προΐστασθαιproistasthaito be devotedG4291

οἱhoithoseG3588

πεπιστευκότεςpepisteukotesalready believingG4100

θεῷ·theōin God;G2316

ταῦτάtautaThese thingsG3778

ἐστινestinareG1510

καλὰkalaexcellentG2570

καὶkaiandG2532

ὠφέλιμαōphelimaprofitableG5624

τοῖςtois<the>G3588

ἀνθρώποις.anthrōpoisto men.G444

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Titus 3:8

Titus 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Psalms 16:2-3
O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
John 12:44
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 Peter 1:21
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Job 22:2
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
1 John 5:10-13
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

a faithful.
1:9; 1Ti 1:15
that thou.
Pr 21:28; Ac 12:15; 2Co 4:13
which.
Ps 78:22; Joh 5:24; 12:44; Ro 4:5; 1Pe 1:21; 1Jo 5:10-13
be.
1,14; 2:14
good.
Job 22:2; 35:7,8; Ps 16:2,3; 2Co 9:12-15; Phm 1:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Titus 3:7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Read all of Titus 3

Titus 3:8 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Palabra fiel, y estas cosas quiero que afirmes, para que los que creen á Dios procuren gobernarse en buenas obras. Estas cosas son buenas y útiles á los hombres.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Cette parole est certaine, et je veux que tu insistes sur ces choses, afin que ceux qui ont cru Dieu s’appliquent à être les premiers dans les bonnes œuvres: ces choses sont bonnes et utiles aux hommes.
German Elberfelder 1871	Das Wort ist gewiß; und ich will, daß du auf diesen Dingen fest bestehst, auf daß die, welche Gott geglaubt haben, Sorge tragen, gute Werke zu betreiben. Dies ist gut und nützlich für die Menschen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Fidelis sermo est: et de his volo te confirmare: ut curent bonis operibus præesse qui credunt Deo. Hæc sunt bona, et utilia hominibus.