Titus 2 10

Titus 2:10 kjv

Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Titus 2:10 nkjv

not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Titus 2:10 niv

and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Titus 2:10 esv

not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Titus 2:10 nlt

or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

Titus 2 verses

Titus 2 10 Meaning

Titus 2:10 instructs those in subservient roles, particularly slaves, to live with complete honesty and trustworthiness in all their dealings, refraining from any form of secret theft or embezzlement. The ultimate purpose of such exemplary conduct is to make the Christian message, which originates from God our Savior, appear attractive, honorable, and credible to the surrounding world, thus beautifying or "adorning" the very truth they believe.

Titus 2 10 Context

Titus 2 is a foundational chapter in Christian ethics, outlining proper conduct for various groups within the Cretan churches under Titus's leadership. After addressing older men and women, and younger men, Paul turns his attention specifically to slaves (Titus 2:9-10). Crete, known for its moral depravity (Titus 1:12), posed particular challenges for early Christian communities. Slaves comprised a significant portion of Roman society and of early Christian congregations. Paul's instruction for them to not engage in "pilfering" but to demonstrate "all good fidelity" directly addresses a common temptation and accusation against slaves, reinforcing that Christianity promoted a standard of integrity contrary to prevailing societal norms and even the reputation of Cretans themselves. Their ethical behavior was paramount for the gospel's credibility, as their actions, whether good or bad, would directly reflect on the Christian faith itself in the eyes of the watching pagan society.

Titus 2 10 Word analysis

• not pilfering (μὴ νοσφιζομένους, mē nosphizomenous):
  • "not" (mē): A strong prohibition, signifying something that should by no means occur.
  • "pilfering" (nosphizomenous): From the verb nosphizomai, meaning "to keep back for oneself," "to purloin," or "to embezzle." It describes small, often secretive, acts of theft, especially common among household slaves who might take small portions of provisions or money. This stands in contrast to overt robbery. This term is notably used in Acts 5:2 concerning Ananias and Sapphira's secret retention of part of the proceeds from their land. It underscores the importance of absolute honesty, even in minor matters.
• but showing (ἀλλὰ... ἐνδεικνυμένους, alla... endeiknumenous):
  • "but" (alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast and redirection from negative behavior to positive, active demonstration.
  • "showing" (endeiknumenous): A present participle, implying continuous action of actively demonstrating, exhibiting, or proving. It requires outward manifestation of inner virtue.
• all good fidelity (πᾶσαν πίστιν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, pasan pistin endeiknumenous agathēn):
  • "all" (pasan): Emphasizes comprehensiveness; no area of life should be exempt from this fidelity. It demands total trustworthiness.
  • "good" (agathēn): Describes the quality of the fidelity. It must be morally excellent, benevolent, and genuinely honorable.
  • "fidelity" (pistin): Here, pistis primarily refers to faithfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability in one's dealings, not merely intellectual belief. It encompasses honesty and integrity.
• so that (ἵνα, hina):
  • A common conjunction indicating purpose or result. It explicitly links the slaves' behavior to a specific desired outcome.
• they may adorn (κοσμῶσιν, kosmōsin):
  • From kosmeō, meaning "to arrange," "to put in order," "to beautify," or "to decorate." It implies enhancing something's appearance and honor. This powerful verb suggests that the slaves' faithful and honest behavior will make Christian teaching shine and be perceived as beautiful, respectable, and attractive in the eyes of non-believers. Their conduct lends credibility and winsome appeal to the truth.
• the doctrine (τὴν διδασκαλίαν, tēn didaskalian):
  • Refers to the body of Christian teaching or instruction, encompassing the entire gospel and its ethical implications.
• of God our Savior (τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ, tou sōtēros hēmōn theou):
  • Connects the "doctrine" directly to its divine source. It emphasizes God's redemptive character and action, reminding believers that their conduct should reflect the glory of the God who saved them. This theological grounding elevates everyday ethical behavior to a profound spiritual act. The consistent Pauline identification of God as "Savior" underlines His initiative and sovereign power in redemption (also Tit 1:3; 3:4; 1 Tim 1:1; 2:3).
• in everything (ἐν πᾶσιν, en pasin):
  • Broadens the scope once more. The conduct that adorns the doctrine is not limited to one specific sphere but should be evident in all aspects and situations of their lives, universally applicable.

Titus 2 10 Bonus section

The concept of "adorning" the doctrine is deeply significant. It implies that while the doctrine itself is perfect and does not need human embellishment to become more true, our lives can either highlight its inherent beauty and practical power, or they can obscure it. Christian living is meant to be a compelling apologetic. In the ancient world, many saw Christianity as a new, suspicious cult. The impeccable ethics of believers, especially those from low social standing, provided a visible counter-argument to slanders and showed the world that Christian conversion truly changes people, making them virtuous members of society, not subversives. The Roman reputation of Cretans amplified this demand for exemplary conduct. Furthermore, calling "God our Savior" shows the deep theological roots of this ethical demand: Christian ethics are not mere human morality, but flow from gratitude and allegiance to the One who redeemed them, making their good works an act of worship.

Titus 2 10 Commentary

Titus 2:10 is a powerful directive emphasizing that the practical conduct of believers serves as a direct testimony to the truth and beauty of the Christian faith. Specifically addressed to slaves in the first century, it calls for an uncompromising level of integrity: a strict abstention from pilfering—the small, secret acts of theft common to household servants—and a consistent display of utter trustworthiness. This was profoundly counter-cultural, challenging societal expectations for those in servile positions, and especially potent in a region known for its lack of trustworthiness. The overarching goal, articulated by "so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior," is to make Christian teaching attractive and respectable. When believers, even in the most marginalized roles, exhibit such moral excellence, it lends undeniable credibility to the gospel message, making it shine. Their lives become a living display of the transformative power of divine truth, showcasing that the God who saves also transforms lives to live in integrity and honor.

This principle extends to all believers today. Our workplaces, our public interactions, our financial dealings—every aspect of our lives provides an opportunity to "adorn" or discredit the doctrine of God our Savior. When a Christian employee is known for honesty and diligence beyond what is merely required, when they are trusted even with confidential matters, or when they return forgotten change, it beautifies the gospel by demonstrating its real-world impact. Conversely, dishonesty, idleness, or greed, even in small instances, tarnishes the perception of the very faith we profess. Our faithful conduct speaks volumes about the nature of our God and the validity of His word to a watching, often cynical, world.