Titus 3:2 kjv
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Titus 3:2 nkjv
to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
Titus 3:2 niv
to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Titus 3:2 esv
to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:2 nlt
They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
Titus 3 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Titus 3:2 | ...not to slander anyone, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. | Current Verse |
| 1 Peter 2:1 | Putting away therefore all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, | Encourages speaking well of others |
| Ephesians 4:31 | Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: | Prohibits slander and harsh words |
| Colossians 3:8 | But now you also put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and evil speaking from your mouth. | Rebuke against malicious talk |
| James 3:6 | And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. | The destructive power of the tongue |
| Matthew 5:9 | Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. | Promotes peace-making |
| Proverbs 15:1 | A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | The benefit of gentle speech |
| Proverbs 18:21 | Death and life are in the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | The impact of spoken words |
| Ephesians 4:2 | With all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; | Encourages gentleness and patience |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: | Lists gentleness and meekness as fruits of the Spirit |
| 1 Timothy 3:3 | Not a striker, not given to wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; but a brawler, not covetous; | Prohibits brawling and abusive behavior |
| Philippians 2:3 | Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. | Humility and consideration for others |
| 1 Corinthians 5:11 | But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or drunkard, or extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. | Identifies railers (slanderers) as those to be avoided |
| Romans 12:14 | Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. | Bless those who persecute |
| Luke 6:31 | And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise. | The Golden Rule |
| 2 Timothy 2:24 | And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, | Urges gentleness in all interactions |
| James 1:19 | Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. | Counsel on controlling speech and anger |
| Matthew 12:36 | But I say unto you, that for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. | Accountability for words |
| Proverbs 10:19 | In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. | The danger of excessive talk |
| Ephesians 4:29 | Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the edifying of the offence, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. | Encourages edifying speech |
| Acts 6:3 | Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. | Implies the importance of good character and speech in leadership |
| Romans 14:19 | Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. | Pursue peace and mutual edification |
Titus 3 verses
Titus 3 2 Meaning
Titus 3:2 instructs believers not to slander anyone. It emphasizes speaking peacefully and gently, demonstrating good behavior and humility towards all people.
Titus 3 2 Context
Titus chapter 3, particularly verses 1-8, focuses on the conduct expected of believers in relation to civil authorities and in their daily interactions. Paul, writing to Titus, is instructing him on how to manage the church in Crete, which was known for its rebellious inhabitants. In the preceding verse (Titus 3:1), Paul urged believers to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready for every good work. This current verse, Titus 3:2, directly flows from that command, providing specific instructions on how they should conduct themselves in their speech and disposition towards others, stemming from their new life in Christ. The historical context is that Christians were often misunderstood and sometimes persecuted, making their gentle and peaceful demeanor even more crucial for demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. This instruction served to counter the prevalent vices of the Cretan culture and to present a Christ-like character to the world.
Titus 3 2 Word Analysis
"To speak evil of no man":
- "slander" (Greek: blasphēmeō - βλασφημέω) – to speak ill, to revile, to defame, to blaspheme. This encompasses all forms of malicious, abusive, or derogatory speech directed at others, whether directly to their face or behind their back. It extends beyond mere insults to encompass character assassination and harmful gossip. This contrasts sharply with the reverence due to God's name but is applied here to human interactions.
"to be no brawlers":
- "brawlers" (Greek: machimos - μάχιμοι) – literally means "given to fighting," "pugnacious," or "combative." In this context, it refers to those who are quarrelsome, prone to contention, and stir up strife through their words or actions. It speaks of an aggressive and argumentative disposition, unbefitting a follower of Christ.
"but gentle":
- "gentle" (Greek: epieikēis - ἐπιεικεῖς) – implies yielding, considerate, equitable, forbearing, mild. It suggests a disposition that is not rigid or harsh, but fair, lenient, and understanding, especially in dealing with difficult people or situations. It’s about showing leniency and consideration, acting with a degree of kindness and compassion that goes beyond strict adherence to rules.
"shewing all meekness":
- "meekness" (Greek: praiótēs - πραΰτης) – denotes mildness of temper, gentleness, kindness, humility. It's a strength under control, a humble disposition that is not easily provoked to anger. It is the opposite of pride and arrogance, and characterizes a person who is humble in heart and disposition, not assertive in a self-seeking way but rather in yielding to God's will. It's not weakness, but a voluntary yielding of one's rights and personal honor out of love and respect for others.
"toward all men":
- "all men" (Greek: pántas - πάντας) – emphasizes the universal application of these virtues. The injunction is not selective but extends to everyone, regardless of their social standing, character, or disposition towards the believer. This includes adversaries, the irreligious, and even those who are difficult or hostile.
Titus 3 2 Bonus Section
The instruction not to slander (blasphēmeō) is a vital aspect of preserving community and individual reputation. The original word connects to speaking evil not just about people, but also against God. This deepens the understanding that disrespect in speech, even towards humans, carries a gravity reflecting its impact on the divine order and reputation. The contrast between the Cretans' reputation for falsehood and the instruction for Christians to be gentle and peaceable suggests a counter-cultural witness. The emphasis on "meekness" (praiótēs) is often misunderstood as passive weakness. However, biblical meekness is power controlled by love and submission to God. It is seen in Christ's own ministry, where He responded to opposition with firm truth spoken with gentleness. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) lists gentleness and meekness together, underscoring their spiritual origin and importance. This verse, therefore, is not just about politeness but a fundamental expression of a transformed life in Christ, influencing all relationships for His glory.
Titus 3 2 Commentary
This verse provides a critical directive for Christian conduct, shaping how believers interact with the world. It highlights the responsibility to refrain from any form of verbal attack, moving beyond simply avoiding outright lies or slanders to cultivating a character of peaceableness and gentle spirit. The call to be "no brawlers" points away from contention and arguments that disrupt harmony, while "gentle" and "meek" call for a cultivated character that handles relationships with soft words and a humble heart. The instruction "toward all men" stresses the all-encompassing nature of this behavior; it’s not limited to fellow believers or those who treat us well. This practical application of faith is a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, reflecting the character of Christ who was both gentle and powerful, speaking truth with grace.
- Practical Application: When tempted to engage in gossip or criticism, remember to offer a word of encouragement or a kind observation instead. In disagreements, aim for a calm and considerate approach, seeking understanding rather than victory. When faced with someone difficult, practice patient listening and respond with mildness rather than harshness.