Bible Strands
Titus 1:2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Titus, his delegate in Crete, in the opening greeting of the letter.
The words — ἀψευδής (apseudēs), literally "without falsehood," is a compound of the negation ἀ- and ψευδής (lie, falsehood); it describes God's nature as structurally incapable of deception, not merely a statement that He did not lie on this occasion.
The thread — Numbers 23:19 makes the same claim of God's inability to lie; 1 John 2:25 identifies the content of the promise as eternal life; 2 Timothy 1:9 grounds the call in God's own purpose and grace rather than human merit.
Why it lands — The verse locates the ground of hope in God's character and in a pledge made before time began, so the reader's confidence rests on what God is, not on whether circumstances or their own performance confirm it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Cross-references
- Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
- 2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
- 1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.
- Hebrews 6:17 So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
- 2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
- 1 John 5:11 And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
- Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
- 1 Samuel 15:29 Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”
- 2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
- 2 Timothy 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.