Titus 2:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

NIV: and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

NASB: sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

CSB: Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

NLT: Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

KJV: Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

NKJV: sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Verse 8 continues the list of attributes which Paul began in verse 6. Here, Paul commands young men to have "sound speech." This trait, also seen in 1 Timothy 4:12, was taught consistently in the early church. This is speech which is beyond criticism, so that those who attack it shame themselves. This mirrors Peter's instructions in 1 Peter 3:15–16. There, Peter instructs Christians to live so that anyone who attacks their character will embarrass themselves in the eyes of others. At the same time, Peter commands a gentle, respectful approach, and a readiness to answer those who question our faith.

The discipline of "apologetics" is summarized by this idea. Verses such as these encourage believers to know the reasons for their beliefs, and be prepared to explain them. The Greek term is apologia, which literally means, "to give an answer." It has nothing to do with apologizing. Rather, it is about communicating Christian truth to those who doubt or oppose it. Paul clearly teaches young men to stand strong in this area of faith. The result is that opponents will have nothing negative to say about them, a point also made about the prophet Daniel (Daniel 6).

Titus 2:1–10 is Paul’s instructions to Titus, regarding the way various groups within the church should be coached. It includes specific instructions for older men and women, younger men and women, and servants. Titus is to encourage traits such as faithfulness, respectfulness, dignity, and self-control. Living this way not only draws others to Christ, it leaves critics with no room to attack our faith.

Titus chapter 2 details instructions for various groups within the church. These include older men, older women, younger men, and younger women. Paul commands Titus to encourage these positive behaviors, and to correct anything which contradicts his teachings. Titus is also told to be bold, and authoritative, in his work.

Chapter 2 forms a bridge in the middle of Paul’s letter to Titus. Chapter 1 focused on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Chapter 2 explains the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 will focus on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.