Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Original Language Analysis
ἐπ'
In
G1909
ἐπ'
In
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αἰωνίων
of eternal
G166
αἰωνίων
of eternal
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
4 of 12
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 12
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπηγγείλατο
promised
G1861
ἐπηγγείλατο
promised
Strong's:
G1861
Word #:
6 of 12
to announce upon (reflexively), i.e., (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
10 of 12
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
Cross References
Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?1 John 2:25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.2 Timothy 1:9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,2 Timothy 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,Titus 3:7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;Jude 1:21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.2 Timothy 2:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.1 Samuel 15:29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
Historical Context
Paul writes to counter the Cretan false teachers who promoted "Jewish fables" and "commandments of men" (1:14). Against their legalistic innovations, Paul grounds salvation in God's pre-creation promise, making human works irrelevant to justification while essential to sanctification (see 2:14, 3:8, 3:14).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise existing before creation affect your understanding of salvation's basis—your performance or His eternal decree?
- What anxieties about your salvation stem from viewing it as contingent rather than pre-determined by the "unlying God"?
- How should pre-temporal election affect your evangelism and prayer for the lost?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised—The phrase ὁ ἀψευδὴς θεός (ho apseudes theos, the unlying God) appears only here in Scripture, emphasizing God's ontological truthfulness. His very nature makes deception impossible (cf. Hebrews 6:18, Numbers 23:19). This isn't mere reliability but metaphysical incapacity for falsehood.
Before the world began (πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων, pro chronon aionion)—literally "before eternal times." God's promise of eternal life existed in the eternal divine counsel before creation, before human fall, before any human merit or demerit. Election and grace are pre-temporal realities, demolishing any works-righteousness. This parallels Ephesians 1:4's "before the foundation of the world."