Titus 2 13

Titus 2:13 kjv

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:13 nkjv

looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:13 niv

while we wait for the blessed hope?the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:13 esv

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:13 nlt

while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

Titus 2 verses

Titus 2 13 Meaning

This verse succinctly encapsulates the ultimate object of Christian expectation: the glorious, visible return of Jesus Christ. It profoundly declares Jesus as "our great God" and "Savior," affirming His divine nature and His redemptive role. This "blessed hope" is a confident and joyful anticipation, serving as the compelling motivation for believers to live godly lives in the present age, in light of Christ's future manifestation of glory.

Titus 2 13 Context

Titus chapter 2 focuses on establishing sound doctrine within the church, particularly through the example of godly conduct across different age and social groups. Paul provides instructions for older men and women, younger men and women, and bondservants, emphasizing their behavior and roles. This instruction for moral uprightness is anchored by the revelation of God's grace in verse 11, which "trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions." Verse 13 directly connects this ethical mandate to the eschatological reality of Christ's glorious return. Living "soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (2:12) is fundamentally motivated by and inextricably linked to the hopeful expectation of "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." For the fledgling churches in Crete facing external pressures and potential internal false teachings, this verse solidified a high Christology and provided powerful motivation for steadfast, holy living.

Titus 2 13 Word analysis

• looking for (Greek: prosdechomenoi, προσδεχόμενοι): This present participle conveys an active, eager, and continuous waiting or expectation. It is not passive but implies a welcoming readiness, a posture of attentiveness for something certain to occur. This "looking" profoundly shapes how believers live their lives.

• the blessed hope (Greek: tēn makarian elpida, τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα):

  • blessed (makarian): Refers to the internal state of supreme happiness, fortunate status, and well-being bestowed by God. It signifies the joyous and fulfilling nature of this expectation.
  • hope (elpida): In the New Testament, "hope" is a confident expectation, a settled assurance concerning future divine realities and promises, rather than a mere desire or wish. It is certain because it is grounded in God's faithfulness and Christ's work.

• and the appearing (Greek: kai epiphaneian, καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν):

  • appearing (epiphaneian): This term literally means "manifestation," "shining forth," or "splendid display." Paul consistently uses epiphaneia in his pastoral epistles to describe Christ's second coming, emphasizing its visible, public, and glorious nature, unlike His humble first advent. It evokes the grandeur of a divine revelation.

• of the glory (Greek: tēs doxes, τῆς δόξης):

  • glory (doxēs): Refers to the inherent majesty, splendor, radiant light, and divine power characteristic of God. Christ's "appearing of the glory" signifies that His return will be in His full divine majesty, power, and honor, not in obscurity.

• of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Greek: tou megalou Theou kai Sotiros hēmōn Iēsou Christou, τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ καὶ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ):

  • This is a crucial Christological statement. The grammatical construction, known as the "Granville Sharp Rule" (a single definite article, tou, followed by two nouns, Theou and Sotiros, connected by kai "and"), grammatically identifies "God" and "Savior" as referring to the same person, Jesus Christ.
  • our great God: Directly attributes full deity to Jesus Christ. "Great" (megalou) emphasizes His supreme sovereignty, authority, and infinite being. This explicitly counters any lesser view of Christ.
  • and Savior: Identifies Him as the Deliverer, the One who provides salvation from sin, judgment, and eternal separation from God. It highlights His redemptive work and purpose.
  • Jesus Christ: The specific personal identification, grounding the "God and Savior" in the historical person known to believers.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory": These parallel phrases elucidate the object of the Christian hope. The "blessed hope" is not an abstract concept, but a concrete event—the very "appearing of the glory" of Christ. This connects future anticipation directly to a tangible manifestation.
  • "of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ": This single majestic title unequivocally identifies Jesus Christ as the divine being who will appear. It fuses His inherent deity ("great God") with His functional role as Redeemer ("Savior") into one Person, making the future hope a personal encounter with the very God who saved humanity. It is a powerful summation of Christian Trinitarian doctrine within a single phrase.

Titus 2 13 Bonus section

• The emphasis on "appearing" (epiphaneia) throughout the Pastoral Epistles (e.g., 1 Tim 6:14, 2 Tim 1:10, 2 Tim 4:1, 8) underscores Paul's focus on Christ's public and manifest revelation, signifying an actual physical return, which contrasts with abstract or metaphorical interpretations of His coming.
• The "Granville Sharp Rule," a grammatical observation, became a significant argument in Christian theology for the deity of Jesus Christ. This linguistic precision ensures that "our great God" and "Savior" unequivocally refer to the same individual—Jesus Christ.
• This verse stands as a strong defense against early heresies, such as Arianism or Gnosticism, which might have diminished Christ's full divinity. Paul firmly grounds the Christian's ultimate hope in a Christ who is fully God and fully Savior, capable of both saving and governing the universe.

Titus 2 13 Commentary

Titus 2:13 is a Christological anchor in Paul's theology, articulating the profound connection between Christian ethics and eschatological hope. The preceding verses call believers to godliness, self-control, and righteous living, grounded in the appearing of God's grace that brings salvation (Titus 2:11-12). Verse 13 elevates this motivation by directing believers' gaze towards the future appearing of Jesus Christ. This "appearing" (epiphaneia) signifies His second coming in full divine glory, distinct from His humble first advent. The "blessed hope" is not wishful thinking but a confident, joyous certainty rooted in the unwavering promise of God and the person of Christ. Critically, the verse declares Jesus to be "our great God and Savior," asserting His full deity. This definitive statement underscores that the one who comes in glory is the same divine being who offered salvation. Thus, the anticipation of meeting a truly divine and glorious Savior impels sincere spiritual living and commitment to righteous conduct, as one naturally prepares to meet a king, much less the King of kings. This verse motivates holy living not by fear, but by a joyful, certain hope in the glorious God who saves and is coming again.

• Practical application:
  • The certain return of Christ fuels endurance in suffering, knowing that eternal glory outweighs temporal affliction.
  • Recognizing Christ as "our great God and Savior" strengthens faith, trust, and worship, grounding one's identity in Him.
  • This hope clarifies priorities, guiding daily decisions and encouraging focus on eternal rather than fleeting earthly pursuits.