For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a list of sins; it highlights the service these sins commanded, showing how "foolish, disobedient, and deceived" people are enslaved to their desires. The emphasis on "hateful, and hating one another" reveals a fundamental breakdown in human connection, stemming from this internal servitude.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is reminding Titus and the believers in Crete that their past lives were marked by foolishness, disobedience, and enslavement to various sinful desires. This is the backdrop against which he will urge them to live lives of gentleness and service toward others, emphasizing that their transformation is a testament to God's kindness, not their own merit.
Before we knew Christ, what did our lives look like? This verse paints a vivid, unflattering picture, but it's essential for understanding God's transformative grace.
Paul doesn't hold back in describing the state of those apart from God. He lists several key characteristics:
A State of Foolishness and Disobedience:
We were "foolish," lacking true understanding of spiritual realities, and "disobedient," actively rebelling against God's will.
Led Astray by Sin:
We were "led astray," wandering off the path of truth, often by our own desires and deceptive influences.
Enslaved to Passions and Pleasures:
Instead of freedom, we were "slaves to various passions and pleasures," driven by unhealthy desires and temporary gratifications.
Corroded by Malice and Envy:
Our inner lives were dominated by "malice and envy," fostering ill will and resentment towards others.
Marked by Mutual Hatred:
This internal decay led to a broken community, where we were "hated by others and hating one another."
This isn't just a description of ancient pagans; Paul includes himself and all believers in this, highlighting the universal human condition before Christ.
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Why does Paul emphasize the shared past of believers? It's a powerful tool for humility, empathy, and effective ministry.
The phrase "we ourselves" is incredibly significant. It's not just a historical note; it's a theological and practical principle:
Humility and Gratitude:
By including himself and all believers in this description, Paul reminds us that any positive change in our lives is solely due to God's grace. We were no better than anyone else. This should foster deep gratitude for salvation and prevent arrogance.
Empathy for Others:
Knowing our own past struggles makes us more compassionate toward those who are currently living in sin. Instead of judgment, we should feel a pull toward mercy and patient guidance, just as God showed us mercy.
Motivation for Ministry:
Paul uses this shared past as a foundation for his exhortations. Because "we were once" like those outside the faith, we are better equipped to understand them and to share the gospel that transformed us. It’s a call to gentle, patient ministry.
Understand the original words
anoētos · Greek Adjective
The state of being lacking in spiritual wisdom or understanding, often referring to a heart that is darkened and opposed to the truth of God.
epithymia · Greek Noun
Refers to a life driven by disordered desires and self-serving longings, which ultimately lead a person away from God and into bondage to sin.
kakia · Greek Noun
A settled disposition of ill will, desire for harm, or active spite against others, which is fundamentally contrary to the love commanded by God.
Paul reminds Titus and the Cretan believers of their shared past as 'foolish, disobedient, and enslaved to desires.' This wasn't just a generic description of 'sinners' but a stark portrait of their pre-Christian lives on an island steeped in Roman influence and Hellenistic culture, highlighting the transformative power of God's grace and the need for ongoing gentleness toward those still caught in such sin.
c. 100 BC - c. 40 BC
Roman Expansion and Influence in Crete
Rome's growing military and political dominance leads to increased interaction and eventual control over Crete, influencing local customs and governance.
67 BC
Roman Conquest of Crete
Rome fully subjugates Crete under Pompey the Great, integrating it into the Roman province of Cyrenaica and later establishing separate administration.
c. 40 BC - c. 20 BC
Herod the Great's Influence
Herod the Great, a client king of Rome, exerts influence and likely owns property in Crete, possibly leading to Jewish communities and interactions.
c. 30 BC - c. 60 AD
Early Spread of Christianity
Christianity begins to spread throughout the Roman Empire, including the islands of the Aegean, though its presence in Crete might be nascent or unrecorded.
c. 60 AD
Paul's Imprisonment and Writings
The Apostle Paul is likely imprisoned in Rome during this period, from where he writes epistles that shape Christian theology and church practice.
c. 63 AD— this verse
Paul Entrusts Titus to Crete
The Apostle Paul, recently released from his first Roman imprisonment, likely visits Crete and entrusts Titus with the task of organizing the churches there.
c. 65 AD
Writing of the Epistle to Titus
Paul writes the Epistle to Titus, likely from Macedonia or Nicopolis, to encourage and guide Titus in his leadership role on the island.
This passage provides a detailed list of vices strikingly similar to Titus 3:3, describing humanity estranged from God as being filled with every kind of evil, greed, and malice, and being hateful and hating one another, reinforcing the idea of humanity's fallen state.
Ephesians 2:1-3Paul describes the Ephesians' former state as being 'dead in trespasses and sins,' living according to the ways of the world and the desires of the flesh, which directly parallels the 'foolish, disobedient, enslaved to passions' state mentioned in Titus 3:3.
Colossians 1:21This verse calls the Colossians 'alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,' which strongly echoes the 'malice and envy, hateful and hating one another' aspect of the description in Titus 3:3, highlighting the inner disposition and outward actions of those apart from Christ.
1 Peter 4:3Peter recounts a similar past for believers, stating they 'spent their time in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, revels, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry,' which aligns with the 'servants to various passions and pleasures' and general disordered life described in Titus 3:3.
ellicottTitus 3:3: "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."
(3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived. —Better rendered, For we were once ourselves foolish, disobedient, going astray. Surely, the Apostle argues, Christians can never refuse obedience to one in authority, or decline to be meek, courteous, kind, and forbearing to their neighbours, beca…
pooleTitus 3:3: "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish; without any knowledge, wisdom, or spiritual understanding. Disobedient: the word signifieth as well unbelieving as disobedient, neither persuaded to assent to the truth, nor yet to live up to the rule of the gospel. Deceived by the deceitfulness of sin. Serving divers lusts…
This verse isn't just a list of sins; it highlights the service these sins commanded, showing how "foolish, disobedient, and deceived" people are enslaved to their desires. The emphasis on "hateful, and hating one another" reveals a fundamental breakdown in human connection, stemming from this internal servitude.
Paul is reminding Titus and the believers in Crete that their past lives were marked by foolishness, disobedience, and enslavement to various sinful desires. This is the backdrop against which he will urge them to live lives of gentleness and service toward others, emphasizing that their transformation is a testament to God's kindness, not their own merit.
Paul is reminding Titus and the believers in Crete that their past lives were marked by foolishness, disobedience, and enslavement to various sinful desires. This is the backdrop against which he will urge them to live lives of gentleness and service toward others, emphasizing that their transformation is a testament to God's kindness, not their own merit.
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another." — This verse isn't just a list of sins; it highlights the service these sins commanded, showing how "foolish, disobedient, and deceived" people are enslaved to their desires. The emphasis on "hateful…
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Last reviewed October 2026