Titus 3:3
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

Berean Literal Bible
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, being deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

King James Bible
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

New King James Version
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

NASB 1977
For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Legacy Standard Bible
For we ourselves also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.

Amplified Bible
For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Christian Standard Bible
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

American Standard Version
For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Contemporary English Version
We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.

English Revised Version
For we also were aforetime foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other.

Good News Translation
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them.

International Standard Version
After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another.

Majority Standard Bible
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures?living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

NET Bible
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.

New Heart English Bible
For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Weymouth New Testament
For there was a time when we also were deficient in understanding, obstinate, deluded, the slaves of various cravings and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

World English Bible
For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for we, also, were once thoughtless, disobedient, led astray, serving manifold desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, odious—hating one another;

Berean Literal Bible
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, being deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Young's Literal Translation
for we were once -- also we -- thoughtless, disobedient, led astray, serving desires and pleasures manifold, in malice and envy living, odious -- hating one another;

Smith's Literal Translation
For once we also were unwise disobedient, deceived, being slaves to eager desires and various pleasures, living in vexation and envy, hated, and hating one another.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we ourselves also were some time unwise, incredulous, erring, slaves to divers desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another.

New American Bible
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

New Revised Standard Version
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, misled, and serving divers lusts and passions, living in malice and envy, hated, and also hating one another.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For we also from the first were without intelligence and without conviction. We were deceived and Servants to changing lusts and were employed in wickedness and in envy. We were despicable and hating one another.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For we ourselves also were formerly foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Godbey New Testament
For when we also were without understanding, being disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in sin and envy, hateful, hating one another;

Haweis New Testament
For we ourselves also in time past were thoughtless, disobedient, erroneous, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Mace New Testament
for even we ourselves were once inconsiderate, disobedient, deluded, addicted to variety of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, the deserving objects of mutual hatred.

Weymouth New Testament
For there was a time when we also were deficient in understanding, obstinate, deluded, the slaves of various cravings and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

Worrell New Testament
For we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving manifold desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Worsley New Testament
For we also were formerly foolish, disobedient, going astray, enslaved to various disorderly appetites and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Mercy to Us
2to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. 3For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures— living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,…

Cross References
Ephesians 2:1-3
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, / in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

Romans 6:19-21
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. / For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness. / What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Colossians 3:5-7
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4:3-4
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. / Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

2 Timothy 3:2-4
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, / traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Ephesians 4:17-19
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. / Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.

1 Timothy 1:9-10
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Romans 3:9-18
What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. / As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. ...

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.


Treasury of Scripture

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

we.

Romans 3:9-20
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; …

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, …

Ephesians 2:1-3
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …

foolish.

Proverbs 1:22,23
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? …

Proverbs 8:5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Proverbs 9:6
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

disobedient.

Matthew 21:29
He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

Acts 9:1-6
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, …

Acts 26:19,20
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: …

deceived.

Isaiah 44:20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Obadiah 1:3
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Luke 21:8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

serving.

John 8:34
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Romans 6:17,22
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you…

living.

Jump to Previous
Astray Cravings Deceived Deficient Deluded Disobedient Divers Envy Foolish Hated Hateful Hating Kinds Lusts Malice Obstinate Once Ourselves Passing Passions Pleasures Serving Slaves Sometimes Spending Time Understanding Various
Jump to Next
Astray Cravings Deceived Deficient Deluded Disobedient Divers Envy Foolish Hated Hateful Hating Kinds Lusts Malice Obstinate Once Ourselves Passing Passions Pleasures Serving Slaves Sometimes Spending Time Understanding Various
Titus 3
1. Titus is further directed by Paul concerning the things that he should teach and not teach.
10. He is to reject obstinate heretics.
12. Paul appoints him time and place wherein he should come unto him.














For at one time
This phrase sets the stage for a reflection on the past, reminding believers of their previous state before encountering the transformative power of Christ. The Greek word "pote" (ποτέ) implies a specific point in time, emphasizing the contrast between the past and the present. It serves as a humbling reminder of the grace that has been extended to us, encouraging gratitude and humility.

we too were
The inclusion of "we too" highlights the universality of sin and the shared experience of all believers. It underscores the idea that no one is exempt from the fallen nature of humanity. This collective acknowledgment fosters a sense of unity and empathy within the Christian community, as all have been redeemed from a similar state.

foolish
The Greek word "anoetos" (ἀνόητος) refers to a lack of understanding or spiritual insight. In a biblical context, foolishness is often associated with a rejection of God's wisdom and truth. This term serves as a reminder of the spiritual blindness that characterized our lives before Christ, contrasting with the enlightenment that comes through faith.

disobedient
This term, derived from the Greek "apeithes" (ἀπειθής), conveys a willful refusal to obey or be persuaded by God's commands. Disobedience is a hallmark of the sinful nature, reflecting a heart that is resistant to divine authority. Recognizing our past disobedience highlights the transformative power of God's grace, which enables us to live in obedience to Him.

misled
The Greek word "planao" (πλανάω) means to be led astray or deceived. This suggests a wandering from the truth, often due to external influences or internal desires. Acknowledging our susceptibility to deception underscores the importance of grounding ourselves in Scripture and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to remain steadfast in truth.

enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures
The imagery of enslavement, from the Greek "douleuo" (δουλεύω), paints a vivid picture of bondage to sinful desires and worldly pleasures. This phrase highlights the controlling power of sin, which captivates and dominates the human heart. The liberation from such bondage through Christ is a central theme of the Gospel, offering freedom and new life.

living in malice and envy
"Malice" and "envy" are destructive attitudes that stem from a sinful nature. The Greek "kakia" (κακία) for malice implies wickedness or ill will, while "phthonos" (φθόνος) for envy denotes a resentful longing for what others possess. These attitudes disrupt relationships and community, contrasting sharply with the love and selflessness that characterize a life transformed by Christ.

hateful, and hating one another
The repetition of "hate" emphasizes the depth of animosity that can exist in human relationships apart from God's love. The Greek "stygnetos" (στυγητός) for hateful and "miseo" (μισέω) for hating reflect a deep-seated hostility and aversion. This serves as a stark reminder of the relational brokenness that sin causes, and the reconciliation and love that are possible through Christ.

(3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived.--Better rendered, For we were once ourselves foolish, disobedient, going astray. Surely, the Apostle argues, Christians can never refuse obedience to one in authority, or decline to be meek, courteous, kind, and forbearing to their neighbours, because, forsooth, they deem the magistrate in authority or their neighbours idolators, and therefore outside the pale of God's mercy and their courtesy; for remember, writes St. Paul, we were once (not so long ago) ourselves in their condition. We once needed mercy our selves. This strong appeal to Christians, by the memory of their past, by the memory of what they once were, must have gone home to one like Titus, himself of a Gentile family, and most probably nurtured in idolatry. It would, no doubt, be repeated with strange, touching earnestness, would this argument of St. Paul by Titus when he spoke to the assembly of the Cretan Christians. We were once ourselves "foolish," that is, without understanding what was true; and "disobedient," that is, unwilling, indisposed, to do what was right; "deceived," or rather going astray (errantes), wandering away from the narrow road which leads to life.

Serving divers lusts and pleasures.--This is the service we served in the old past days of our sin and shame, while we were "disobedient" to what was right and pure. We were obedient to, we were "serving" as slaves, many an impure lust, many a wrongful pleasure--for the lusts and pleasures to which St. Paul referred were those of the people with whom for the moment the Apostle was classing himself. The pleasures of these partly Greek, partly Asiatic peoples consisted, indeed, in the wanton satisfaction of the lusts of the flesh; their shameless revellings were scarcely covered with their thin and flimsy veil of beauty and false refinement.

Living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.--These pleasure-loving, lust-indulging ones envied each one his neighbour the good things he possessed; and thus we--for we, remember, were once of this number-once spent our lives in this atmosphere of hate, hating others with a jealous dislike, hated ourselves for the same reasons. Shall we then--once like them--now refuse all sympathy to these poor souls still left in ignorance and sin?

Verse 3. - We for we ourselves, A.V.; afore-time for sometimes, A.V.; hating for and hating, A.V. Foolish (ἀνόητοι); a Pauline word (Galatians 3:1, 3), found also in Luke 24:25 (see 1 Timothy 6:9); of frequent use in classical Greek. Disobedient (ἀπειθεῖς); as Titus 1:16. In Luke 1:17 it stands, as here, absolutely, meaning disobedient to God and his Law. Deceived (πλανώμενοι); led astray, made to wander from the path of troth and right, either by false systems of religion, or by our own evil affections and appetites (see 2 Timothy 2:13; 1 Peter 2:25; 2 Peter 2:15, etc.). Serving; slaves to (δουλεύοντες); 2 Peter 2:19 (see above, Titus 2:2). Lusts (ἐπιθυμίαις); not always in a bad sense, as here, though usually so (see Luke 22:15; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:17; Revelation 18:14). Pleasures (ἡδοναῖς); always in a bad sense in the New Testament (Luke 8:14; James 4:1, 3; 2 Peter 2:13). Living (διάγοντες); see 1 Timothy 2:2, where it is followed by βίον, which is here understood. Διάγειν τὸν βίον αἰῶνα χρόνον σάββατον. etc., are common phrases both in the LXX. and in classical Greek for passing or spending one's life, time, age, etc. But it is only found in the New Testament here and in 1 Timothy 2:2. Malice (κακίᾳ). This word is sometimes used of wickedness generally, as Acts 8:22; James 1:21; 1 Corinthians 5:8; and probably Romans 1:29; and even of badness in things, as Matthew 6:34. But it frequently in the New Testament denotes malice, the desire to do harm to others, as Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8, etc. Envy (φθόνῳ); almost always found in St. Paul's enumeration of sins (Romans 1:29; Galatians 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:4, etc.). Hateful (στυγητοί); only here in the New Testament, not found in the LXX. (though the verb στυγέω occurs once or twice in the Maccabees), but used in good classical Greek. The above is a sad but too true picture of human life without the sweetening influences of God's Holy Spirit.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

at one time
ποτε (pote)
Particle
Strong's 4218: At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

too
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

were
Ἦμεν (Ēmen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

foolish,
ἀνόητοι (anoētoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 453: Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.

disobedient,
ἀπειθεῖς (apeitheis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 545: Unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded. Unpersuadable, i.e. Contumacious.

misled,
πλανώμενοι (planōmenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.

enslaved
δουλεύοντες (douleuontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1398: To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.

to all sorts
ποικίλαις (poikilais)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4164: Various, of different colors, diverse, various. Of uncertain derivation; motley, i.e. Various in character.

of desires
ἐπιθυμίαις (epithymiais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

pleasures,
ἡδοναῖς (hēdonais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2237: From handano; sensual delight; by implication, desire.

living
διάγοντες (diagontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1236: (either trans. or intrans.), I spend time, pass time, live. From dia and ago; to pass time or life.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

malice
κακίᾳ (kakia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2549: From kakos; badness, i.e. depravity, or malignity, or trouble.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

envy,
φθόνῳ (phthonō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5355: Envy, a grudge, spite. Probably akin to the base of phtheiro; ill-will, i.e. Jealousy.

hateful,
στυγητοί (stygētoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4767: Hateful, detestable, disgusting. From a derivative of an obsolete apparently primary stugo; hated, i.e. Odious.

[and] hating
μισοῦντες (misountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3404: To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.

one another.
ἀλλήλους (allēlous)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.


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NT Letters: Titus 3:3 For we were also once foolish disobedient (Ti. Tt.)
Titus 3:2
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