Titus 2:7

2:7 showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Amsal 16:7

16:7 When a person’s ¹  ways are pleasing to the Lord, ² 

he ³  even reconciles his enemies to himself. ⁴ 

Matius 5:16

5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Matius 5:2

5:2 Then ⁵  he began to teach ⁶  them by saying:

1 Korintus 8:1

Food Sacrificed to Idols

8:1 With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” ⁷  Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Efesus 2:10

2:10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. ⁸ 

Titus 3:1

Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church

3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and ⁹  authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

Titus 3:8

Summary of the Letter

3:8 This saying ¹⁰  is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, ¹¹  so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people.

Titus 3:14

3:14 Here is another way that our people ¹²  can learn ¹³  to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.

Titus 3:1

Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church

3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and ¹⁴  authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

1 Petrus 2:12

2:12 and maintain good conduct ¹⁵  among the non-Christians, ¹⁶  so that though ¹⁷  they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears. ¹⁸ 

1 Petrus 2:15

2:15 For God wants you ¹⁹  to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

[16:7]  ¹ tn Heb “ways of a man.”

[16:7]  ² tn The first line uses an infinitive in a temporal clause, followed by its subject in the genitive case: “in the taking pleasure of the Lord” = “when the Lord is pleased with.” So the condition set down for the second colon is a lifestyle that is pleasing to God.

[16:7]  ³ tn The referent of the verb in the second colon is unclear. The straightforward answer is that it refers to the person whose ways please the Lord – it is his lifestyle that disarms his enemies. W. McKane comments that the righteous have the power to mend relationships (Proverbs [OTL], 491); see, e.g., 10:13; 14:9; 15:1; 25:21-22). The life that is pleasing to God will be above reproach and find favor with others. Some would interpret this to mean that God makes his enemies to be at peace with him (cf. KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NLT). This is workable, but in this passage it would seem God would do this through the pleasing life of the believer (cf. NCV, TEV, CEV).

[16:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “even his enemies he makes to be at peace with him.”

[5:2]  ⁵ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[5:2]  ⁶ tn Grk “And opening his mouth he taught them, saying.” The imperfect verb ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) has been translated ingressively.

[8:1]  ⁷ sn “We all have knowledge.” Here and in v. 4 Paul cites certain slogans the Corinthians apparently used to justify their behavior (cf. 6:12-13; 7:1; 10:23). Paul agrees with the slogans in part, but corrects them to show how the Corinthians have misused these ideas.

[2:10]  ⁸ tn Grk “so that we might walk in them” (or “by them”).

[2:10]  sn So that we may do them. Before the devil began to control our walk in sin and among sinful people, God had already planned good works for us to do.

[3:1]  ⁹ tc Most later witnesses (D² 0278 Ï lat sy) have καί (kai, “and”) after ἀρχαῖς (arcai", “rulers”), though the earliest and best witnesses (א A C D* F G Ψ 33 104 1739 1881) lack the conjunction. Although the καί is most likely not authentic, it has been added in translation due to the requirements of English style. For more discussion, see TCGNT 586.

[3:8]  ¹⁰ sn This saying (Grk “the saying”) refers to the preceding citation (Titus 3:4-7). See 1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11 for other occurrences of this phrase.

[3:8]  ¹¹ tn Grk “concerning these things.”

[3:14]  ¹² tn Grk “that those who are ours” (referring to the Christians).

[3:14]  ¹³ tn Grk “and also let our people learn.”

[3:1]  ¹⁴ tc Most later witnesses (D² 0278 Ï lat sy) have καί (kai, “and”) after ἀρχαῖς (arcai", “rulers”), though the earliest and best witnesses (א A C D* F G Ψ 33 104 1739 1881) lack the conjunction. Although the καί is most likely not authentic, it has been added in translation due to the requirements of English style. For more discussion, see TCGNT 586.

[2:12]  ¹⁵ tn Grk “keeping your conduct good.”

[2:12]  ¹⁶ tn Grk “the Gentiles,” used here of those who are not God’s people.

[2:12]  ¹⁷ tn Grk “in order that in what they malign you.”

[2:12]  ¹⁸ tn Or “when he visits.” Grk “in the day of visitation,” denoting a time when God intervenes directly in human affairs, either for blessing (Luke 1:68, 78; 7:16; 19:44) or for judgment (Isa 10:3; Jer 6:15). This phrase may be a quotation from Isa 10:3, in which case judgment is in view here. But blessing seems to be the point, since part of the motive for good behavior is winning the non-Christian over to the faith (as in 3:1; also apparently in 3:15; cf. Matt 5:16).

[2:15]  ¹⁹ tn Grk “because thus it is God’s will.”