Titus 1:4
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Original Language Analysis
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
4 of 19
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
κοινὴν
the common
G2839
κοινὴν
the common
Strong's:
G2839
Word #:
5 of 19
common, i.e., (literally) shared by all or several, or (ceremonially) profane
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
6 of 19
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
χάρις
Grace
G5485
χάρις
Grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
7 of 19
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
εἰρήνη
and peace
G1515
εἰρήνη
and peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
9 of 19
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
10 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πατρὸς
the Father
G3962
πατρὸς
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
12 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Κυρίου
the Lord
G2962
Κυρίου
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
14 of 19
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
15 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Timothy 1:2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.Jude 1:3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.2 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:2 Peter 1:11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 2:13I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.Romans 1:12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.John 4:42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.2 Corinthians 8:23Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Historical Context
Titus, a Gentile convert (uncircumcised, Galatians 2:3), served as Paul's trusted delegate to troubled churches (2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 8:16-17). His mission to Crete involved establishing church order amid cultural corruption and doctrinal confusion. The greeting's emphasis on grace combats the merit-based religion threatening Cretan congregations.
Questions for Reflection
- Who are your spiritual children "after the common faith," and are you actively discipling them in sound doctrine?
- Do you practically distinguish grace (unmerited favor), mercy (compassion on misery), and peace (reconciliation), or do you conflate these distinct blessings?
- How does recognizing Jesus as "Savior" equal to the Father deepen your worship and refute modern heresies about Christ's nature?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith—The term γνήσιον τέκνον (gnēsion teknon, genuine child) indicates spiritual parentage; Paul led Titus to faith. κοινὴ πίστις (koinē pistis, common faith) stresses the shared, objective nature of Christian belief—not private mysticism but the apostolic deposit once-for-all delivered (Jude 3).
Grace, mercy, and peace—Paul's triadic greeting. Χάρις (charis, grace) is God's unmerited favor, the foundation. Ἔλεος (eleos, mercy) is compassion toward the miserable. Εἰρήνη (eirene, peace) is reconciliation and wholeness. All flow from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour—the Father-Son unity in dispensing salvific blessings affirms Christ's deity. Jesus bears the title σωτήρ (soter, Savior) equal with the Father.