Titus 1:2

Modern

…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Traditional

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Literal

…upon the hope of eternal life, which God, who is without falsehood, promised before times eternal

Latin

…in spem vitæ æternæ, quam promisit qui non mentitur, Deus, ante tempora sæcularia:

Greek

English

…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Believing that they have eternal life enables God’s people to live well now (see 2:11–14; 3:7–8).
God, who cannot lie: The true God contrasts with popular Cretan ideas (see study note on 1:12). This statement also emphasizes God’s plan of salvation as unchanging (1:1): God can be trusted to fulfill his promises (see Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Romans 3:3–4).

The beginning of the book of Titus, like that of 1 Timothy (1:1–2), establishes Paul’s authority for his representative.

Theme notes and profiles

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
1 John 2:25
And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.
Hebrews 6:17–18
So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
1 John 5:11–13
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
2 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
Titus 2:13
…as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
1 Samuel 15:29
Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”
2 Timothy 2:13
…if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Jude 1:21
…keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.
2 Timothy 2:15
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
1 Peter 1:20–23
He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.