1 Timotius 1:15

1:15 This saying ¹  is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! ² 

1 Timotius 4:9

4:9 This saying ³  is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

1 Timotius 4:2

4:2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars ⁴  whose consciences are seared. ⁵ 

Titus 2:11

2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ⁶ 

Titus 3:8

Summary of the Letter

3:8 This saying ⁷  is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, ⁸  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.

¹ tn Grk “the saying,” referring to the following citation (see 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase).

² tn Grk “of whom I am the first.”

³ tn Grk “the saying.”

sn This saying. The literal phrase “the saying” refers to the preceding citation. See 1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase.

⁴ tn Grk “in the hypocrisy of liars.”

⁵ tn Or “branded.” The Greek verb καυστηριάζω (kausthriazw) can be used to refer either to the cause (“brand”) or the effect (“seared”).

sn Consciences are seared. The precise meaning of this phrase is somewhat debated. Three primary interpretations are (1) the consciences of these false teachers are “branded” with Satan’s mark to indicate ownership, (2) their consciences are “branded” with a penal mark to show they are lawbreakers, or (3) their consciences have been “seared” (i.e., totally burnt and desensitized) so that they are unable to notice the difference between right and wrong. See G. W. Knight, Pastoral Epistles (NIGTC), 189.

⁶ tn Grk “all men”; but ἀνθρώποις (anqrwpois) is generic here, referring to both men and women.

⁷ 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.

⁸ tn Grk “concerning these things.”