sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Parallel translations
- WEB and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing 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.
- BSB and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having 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.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Titus's teaching should be so sound that opponents have nothing bad to say and are put to shame. It matters because blameless speech and conduct silence critics of the faith.
Overview
Continuing from verse 7, Paul wants Titus's message to be beyond reproach. Sound, irreproachable speech leaves adversaries with no legitimate accusation, shaming their opposition. This protects the church's witness and disarms those who would slander the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Pet 2:12having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- 1 Pet 2:15For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
- 1 Tim 6:3If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
- 1 Pet 3:16having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
- Phil 2:14–16Do all things without murmurings and disputes,
- 2 Th 3:14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
- Neh 5:9Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
- Isa 66:5Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.
- 1 Tim 5:14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
- Mark 12:28One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”
- Mark 12:32The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he,
- Luke 13:17As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed, and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
- Mark 12:34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
- Mark 12:17Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 2:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.