Titus 2:8
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

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

Berean Standard Bible
and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

Berean Literal Bible
and sound speech beyond reproach, so that he who is of the contrary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning us.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

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

NASB 1995
sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

NASB 1977
sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Legacy Standard Bible
sound in word which is irreproachable, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Amplified Bible
sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

American Standard Version
sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

Contemporary English Version
Use clean language that no one can criticize. Do this, and your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you.

English Revised Version
sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us.

Good News Translation
Use sound words that cannot be criticized, so that your enemies may be put to shame by not having anything bad to say about us.

International Standard Version
Use wholesome speech that cannot be condemned. Then any opponent will be ashamed because he cannot say anything bad about us.

Majority Standard Bible
and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

NET Bible
and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.

New Heart English Bible
and a sound message that cannot be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

Webster's Bible Translation
Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say concerning you.

Weymouth New Testament
and healthy language which no one can censure, so that our opponents may feel ashamed at having nothing evil to say against us.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
sound discourse [that is] blameless, so that he who is of the contrary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning you.

Berean Literal Bible
and sound speech beyond reproach, so that he who is of the contrary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning us.

Young's Literal Translation
discourse sound, irreprehensible, that he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning you.

Smith's Literal Translation
The word sound, not to be condemned; that he from the opposite may be changed, having nothing bad to say of you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sound word that can not be blamed: that he, who is on the contrary part, may be afraid, having no evil to say of us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
with sound words, irreproachably, so that he who is an opponent may dread that he has nothing evil to say about us.

New American Bible
and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.

New Revised Standard Version
and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Choose sound words that are instructive so that no man can point the finger of scorn at us, and so that he who is against us may be shamed, when he can find nothing evil to say about us.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Serious, uncorrupted, and let no man despise it, so that he who opposes us may be ashamed, as he will be unable to say anything disgraceful against us.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
sound speech that can not be condemned; that he that is opposed may be ashamed, seeing he has no evil thing to say of us.

Godbey New Testament
the sound word, irrefutable, in order that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning us.

Haweis New Testament
sound discourse, incapable of confutation; that he who is in opposition may be confounded, having nothing faulty to say of you.

Mace New Testament
gravity; let your doctrine be sound and inoffensive, that your opponents may be ashamed, and have nothing that is ill to say of us.

Weymouth New Testament
and healthy language which no one can censure, so that our opponents may feel ashamed at having nothing evil to say against us.

Worrell New Testament
sound speech not to be condemned; that he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say concerning us.

Worsley New Testament
that he who opposeth it may be ashamed, having no evil to say of you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Teaching Sound Doctrine
7In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us. 9Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,…

Cross References
1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

2 Timothy 2:25
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

2 Corinthians 6:3
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.

Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:8
He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

Proverbs 10:32
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Sound.

Mark 12:17,28,32,34
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him…

1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

that he.

Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

1 Timothy 5:14
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

1 Peter 2:12,15
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation…

may.

Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Luke 13:17
And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

2 Thessalonians 3:14
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

having.

Philippians 2:14-16
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: …

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Titus 2
1. Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life.
10. Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians.














and wholesome speech
The phrase "wholesome speech" in the Greek is "λόγον ὑγιῆ" (logon hygiē), where "λόγον" (logon) means "word" or "speech," and "ὑγιῆ" (hygiē) translates to "healthy" or "sound." This implies that our communication should be spiritually healthy, edifying, and free from corruption. In a historical context, the early church faced many false teachings, and Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity in doctrine and conversation. For the modern believer, this calls for speech that builds up others and reflects the truth of the Gospel, aligning with the teachings of Christ.

that is above reproach
The Greek term here is "ἀκατάγνωστον" (akatagnōston), meaning "irreproachable" or "blameless." This suggests that our words should be beyond criticism or fault. In the early church, Christians were often scrutinized by both Jewish and pagan communities. Paul encourages believers to live in such a way that their conduct, including their speech, cannot be justly criticized. For contemporary Christians, this means striving for integrity and consistency in our words, ensuring they align with our faith and values.

so that anyone who opposes us
The phrase "anyone who opposes us" refers to those who stand against the Christian message. In the Greek, "ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας" (ho ex enantias) literally means "the one who is contrary." Historically, the early church faced opposition from various fronts, including religious leaders and political authorities. Paul’s instruction is strategic; by maintaining integrity in speech, believers can disarm their critics. Today, this serves as a reminder to live in such a way that even those who disagree with us cannot find fault in our character or message.

will be ashamed
The Greek word "ἐντραπῇ" (entraphē) means "to be put to shame" or "to feel shame." This is not about humiliating others but rather about living in such a way that opponents are left without legitimate grounds for their accusations. In the context of the early church, this was crucial for the spread of the Gospel, as it demonstrated the transformative power of Christ. For modern believers, it underscores the importance of a testimony that silences critics through the evident work of God in our lives.

having nothing bad to say about us
The phrase "having nothing bad to say" translates from the Greek "μηδὲν φαῦλον λέγων" (mēden phaulos legōn), where "φαῦλον" (phaulos) means "bad" or "worthless." This emphasizes the goal of living a life that leaves no room for valid criticism. In the early church, maintaining a blameless reputation was vital for the credibility of the Christian witness. Today, it challenges believers to reflect Christ in every aspect of life, ensuring that our actions and words consistently testify to the truth and love of the Gospel.

(8) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned.--The substance of Titus' teaching, whether in the more private intercourse with individuals or in his preaching in the Christian gatherings, must be healthy, practical, manly, in contrast to the sickly, morbid, fanciful instruction the false teachers of Crete were in the habit of giving. His words, too, must be well weighed and thoughtful, as well as earnest and impassioned; they must be such as would expose him neither to contempt nor to the charge of presumption. Between the lines of the exhortation of the 7th and 8th verses we can read the anxiety of the Apostle that his representative in Crete should take all possible care that the matter of his teaching and preaching was studied and prepared with all the attention and thought so important a duty demanded. He should remember, too, that the words as well as the works of the Christian teacher will be subject to a sharp and often hostile criticism. These warnings and reminders of St. Paul, it should be borne in mind, belong to all ages of the faith.

That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.--The older authorities, with one exception, read "of us," instead of "of you." If Titus fairly carries out the exhortation of the last two verses, then the enemy, either the false teacher or the Pagan opponent of Christianity, confounded by the pure, self-sacrificing, earnest life, overcome by the well-weighed, thoughtful utterance of great truths, by the impassioned exhortation to men and women to lead noble, honest lives, will surely be ashamed of his bitter opposition, when he finds neither in the life nor in the teaching anything which he can fairly criticise as "bad." As the better supported reading, "of us," associates St. Paul and others with Titus, the evil thing which might have been said of Titus in reality would be spoken against St. Paul and the elder Apostles.

Verse 8. - Us for you, A.V. and T.R. Sound speech (λόγον ὑγιῆ); still depending upon παρεχύμενος. Besides his personal qualities as a teacher, his speech, or doctrine, must be sound. The word, common of bodily health, is only here applied to speech or doctrine; the common phrase in the pastoral Epistles is ὑγιασινούση διδασκαλία, ὑγιαίνουσι λόγοις, and the like. That cannot be condemned (ἀκατάγνωστον); only here in the New Testament, once in 2 Macc. 4:27. This marks the care that the Christian teacher must take not to say anything in his teaching rash, or reprehensible, or that can give offence or cause the ministry to be blamed (camp. 1 Timothy 5:14). May be ashamed (ἐντραπῇ). In the active voice ἐντρέπειν is "to put to shame" (1 Corinthians 4:14), and in classical Greek. In the middle voice ἐντρέπομαι, followed by a genitive of the person, or an accusative in later Greek, means to "respect, reverence" (Matthew 21:37; Luke 18:2, etc.). In the passive, as here and 2 Thessalonians 3:14, it means "to be put to shame," "to be ashamed" (comp. Psalm 34:4 LXX., 35:40. (Compare, for the sentiment, 1 Peter 2:15; 1 Peter 3:16; and note the frequent resemblances between the pastoral Epistles and those of St. Peter.) The shame of the detractors consists in their being put to silence, having nothing to say, being proved to be slanderers. No evil thing (μηδὲν φαῦλον); as James 3:16; John 3:20; John 5:29. The word means "mean, worthless, paltry," and is hence synonymous with

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[and] wholesome
ὑγιῆ (hygiē)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5199: (a) sound, healthy, pure, whole, (b) wholesome. From the base of auzano; healthy, i.e. Well; figuratively, true.

speech
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

[that is] above reproach,
ἀκατάγνωστον (akatagnōston)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 176: Not open to just rebuke; irreprehensible. Unblamable.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

anyone
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

opposes [us]
ἐναντίας (enantias)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1727: Opposite, opposed, contrary; the adversary. From enanti; opposite; figuratively, antagonistic.

will be ashamed
ἐντραπῇ (entrapē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1788: From en and the base of trope; to invert, i.e. in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound.

to have
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

nothing
μηδὲν (mēden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

bad
φαῦλον (phaulon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5337: Worthless, wicked, base. Apparently a primary word; 'foul' or 'flawy', i.e. wicked.

to say
λέγειν (legein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

us.
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Letters: Titus 2:8 And soundness of speech that can't be (Ti. Tt.)
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