Titus – Philemon

Titus

TRANSLATION OF CALVIN’S VERSION

OF The

EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS

CHAPTER 1

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the elect of God, and (or, that is,) the knowledge of that truth which is according to godliness;

2 In the hope (or, on account of the hope) of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before eternal ages,

3 but hath manifested in his own times his word (or, by his word,) in the preaching which hath been committed to me, according to the appointment of God our Savior;

4 To Titus, my own son, according to the common faith, grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

5 For this reason I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest continue to correct those things which are still wanting, f and mightst ordain presbyters f in each city, as I appointed thee:

Note 283. “La cause pourquoy je tay laisse en Crete, c’est afin que tu poursuyves de corriger les choses qui restent.” — “The reason why I left thee in Crete, is in order that thou mayest continue to correct the things that are wanting.”

Note 284. “Des prestres, ou anciens.” — “Presbyters, or elders.”

6 If any one is blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children, not accused of licentiousness, not disobedient.

7 For a bishop ought to be blameless, as a governor of the house of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, not a striker, not wickedly desirous of gain;

8 But hospitable, devoted to kindness, prudent, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word, which is according to instruction, that he maybe able both to exhort by sound doctrine, and to convince adversaries.

10 For there are many unruly, and vain talkers, and deceivers of minds’ chiefly they who are of the circumcision;

Note 285. “Car il y en a plusieurs qui ne se peuvent ranger.” — “For there are many of them who cannot submit to authority.”

11 Whose month must be stopped, who overturn whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.

13 This testimony is true; wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

14 And may not give heed to Jewish fables, and to commandments of men who turn aside from the truth.

15 To the pure all things indeed are pure; but to the polluted and unbelieving nothing is pure, but their mind and conscience are polluted.

16 They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him; for they are abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.

CHAPTER 2

1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine;

2 That aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

3 That aged women, in like manner, wear raiment which becomes religious persons, that they be not slanderers, not slaves to much wine, (that they be) teachers of what is good;

4 That they may teach the young women temperance to love their husbands and their children,

5 To be temperate, chaste, keepers of the house, kind, subject to their husbands f that the word of God may not be evil spoken of.

Note 286. “Ou, propre a luy.” — “Or, belonging to him.”

6 Exhort likewise younger men to be temperate;

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine, (chewing) integrity, gravity;

8 Sound speech, unblameable, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be subject to their own masters, endeavoring to please them in all things, not answering again;

10 Not thievish, but shewing all good faith, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things

11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live temperately and righteously and piously, in this world,

13 Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of Jesus Christ, the great God and our Savior,

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar, people, zealous of good works. f

Note 287. “Adonne a bonnes oeuvres.” — “Devoted to good works.”

15 Speak these things, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

CHAPTER 3

1 Remind them to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work;

2 To speak evil of no one, not to be given to fighting, (to be) kind, shew shewing all meekness towards all men.

3 For we ourselves were also formerly foolish, disobedient, going astray, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Note 288. “Odieux, ou, hays.” — “Hateful or hated.”

4 But after that the goodness and love of God our Savior towards men appeared,

5 Not by works, which were in righteousness, which we had done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and of the renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6 Which (or, whom) he shed abundantly on us, through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 That, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 A faithful saying: I wish thee to affirm these things, that they who have believed in God may be careful to excel in good works, (or, to extol good works, or, to assign to them the highest rank.) For these things are honorable and profitable to men

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and unnecessary.

10 Avoid an heretical man after the first and second admonition;

11 Knowing that he who is such is ruined, being condemned by himself.

12 When I shall send to thee Artemas, or Tychicus, hasten to come to me to Nicopolis for I have determined to winter there.

13 Be careful to help forward Zenas the lawyer, and Apollo, that they may not be in want of anything.

14 And let ours also learn to excel in good works (or, as formerly, to assign to them the highest rank, that they may excel,) for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me salute thee. Salute those who love us in faith. Grace (be) with you all. Amen.

It was written from Nicopolis of Macedonia, to Titus, who was ordained the first bishop of the Church of the Cretans.

Philemon

A TRANSLATION OF CALVIN’S VERSION

OF THE

EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy a brother,

2 To Philemon our friend and fellow-laborer, and to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.

3 Grace (be) to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus and towards all saints,

6 That the communication of thy faith may be effectual, by the knowledge of every good thing which is in thee towards Christ Jesus.

7 For we have much grace (or, joy) and consolation on account of thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, while I have great confidence in Christ to command thee what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather entreat thee;

9 Being such a one as Paul the aged (or, elder,) and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

11 Onesimus, who formerly was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to thee and to me;

12 Whom I have sent back; receive him therefore, that is, my bowels;

13 Whom I was desirous to keep beside me, that he might minister to me instead of thee in the bonds of the gospel.

14 But without thy opinion I would do nothing, that thy benefit might not be by constraint, but of free choice.

15 For perhaps for this reason he was separated for a time, that thou mightest receive him for ever;

16 Not now as a slave, but above a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

17 If therefore thou holdest me to be thy associate, receive him as myself.

18 And if in anything he hath done thee injury, or oweth thee anything, place it to my account.

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it; not to tell thee that thou owest me even thyself.

20 Yea, brother, let me enjoy in the Lord; refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Note 289. “Ou, recoive ce plaisir de toy.” — “Or, receive this pleasure from thee.”

21 Being convinced of they obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do beyond what I write.

22 But at the same time prepare for me a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus,

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers, salute thee.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (be) with your spirit. Amen.

It was sent from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a slave.