1But as for you, speak what is fitting for sound teaching. [2:2] Older men are to be sober, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in endurance. [2:3] Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not malicious accusers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good — [2:4] so that they may train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, [2:5] to be sensible, pure, busy at home, kind, subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be blasphemed. [2:6] Urge the younger men likewise to be sensible — [2:7] in all things showing yourself as a pattern of good works, with purity in teaching, with dignity, [2:8] with sound speech that is above reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. [2:9] Bond-servants are to be subject to their own masters in everything, well-pleasing, not arguing back, [2:10] not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in all things.
TIT 2:1-10
Teaching Sound Doctrine
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman household, social order was maintained through clearly defined roles and expectations. The household was the foundational unit of society, and its stability was seen as essential for the stability of the broader community. Older men were expected to embody dignity and self-control, serving as moral exemplars. Older women were to avoid behaviors like slander and excessive drinking, which could disrupt household harmony, and instead mentor younger women in managing the home and fostering familial loyalty. Younger men were urged to exercise self-control, aligning with Stoic ideals of moderation. The emphasis on sound doctrine reflects a concern for maintaining communal integrity and avoiding behaviors that could bring shame or discredit to the Christian community. The passage underscores the importance of each member’s conduct in preserving the household’s honor and, by extension, the reputation of the faith.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
TIT 2:1
- KJV
- But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
- BSB
- But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.
- Koinōnos
- But as for you, speak what is fitting for sound teaching.
TIT 2:2
- KJV
- That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
- BSB
- Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.
- Koinōnos
- Older men are to be sober, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in endurance.
TIT 2:3
- KJV
- The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
- BSB
- Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
- Koinōnos
- Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not malicious accusers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good —
TIT 2:4
- KJV
- That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
- BSB
- In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
- Koinōnos
- so that they may train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,
TIT 2:5
- KJV
- To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
- BSB
- to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.
- Koinōnos
- to be sensible, pure, busy at home, kind, subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be blasphemed.
TIT 2:6
- KJV
- Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
- BSB
- In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
- Koinōnos
- Urge the younger men likewise to be sensible —
TIT 2:7
- KJV
- In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
- BSB
- In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- Koinōnos
- in all things showing yourself as a pattern of good works, with purity in teaching, with dignity,
TIT 2:8
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- with sound speech that is above reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
TIT 2:9
- KJV
- Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
- BSB
- Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
- Koinōnos
- Bond-servants are to be subject to their own masters in everything, well-pleasing, not arguing back,
TIT 2:10
- KJV
- Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
- BSB
- not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
- Koinōnos
- not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in all things.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.2
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.2
“These Essens reject pleasures as an evil, but esteem continence, and the conquest over our passions, to be virtue.”
Cited to ground: Younger men were urged to exercise self-control, aligning with Stoic ideals of moderation.
Translator's notes
TIT 2:3
- slanderers,:The word translated 'slanderers' is the same term used for the Devil, carrying the sense of one who maliciously accuses and divides through false charges.
- enslaved,:The term translated 'enslaved' implies being completely under the power or influence of something, much like a slave is owned and controlled by a master.
TIT 2:4
- they may train:The word translated 'they may train' suggests the act of bringing someone to their senses or instilling self-control and sound judgment, often through correction or discipline.
TIT 2:5
- busy at home:The phrase 'busy at home' describes someone who is a diligent and careful manager of their household, actively involved in its care and upkeep.