Titus 2:10
What does Titus 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Titus 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Titus 2:10 means
Servants must not pilfer, but show complete faithfulness. Trustworthiness in small things is a powerful witness. When those with little earthly power refuse to steal and instead prove utterly reliable, they “adorn” the doctrine of God our Saviour—their lives make the gospel attractive. Sound teaching gains luster when embodied in ordinary work done honestly. This is not about pretending everything is easy; it is about showing that grace produces integrity under pressure. The good name of the Saviour is either enhanced or hindered by the conduct of His people, and here Paul dignifies even the lowliest tasks as platforms for glorifying God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Not taking what is not theirs, but giving clear signs of their good faith, in all things doing credit to the teaching of God our Saviour.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862not purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not defrauding, but in all things shewing good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890not robbing [their masters], but shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the teaching which [is] of our SaviourGod in all things.
Context
Verse 10 completes Paul’s counsel to servants with a positive aim: the adornment of doctrine. With the household code finished, the letter moves in verses 11–14 to the theological engine that powers all these commands—the appearing of God’s grace in Christ, which brings salvation and trains believers. The flow from ethics to gospel and back again shows Paul’s pattern: duty rests on doctrine; behavior flows from the saving work and ongoing instruction of grace.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 5:16
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Matthew 24:45
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
- 1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
- John 12:6
Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein.
- Genesis 31:37
Whereas thou hast felt about all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? Set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us two.
- 1 Timothy 6:1
Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.
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