Titus 2:8
What does Titus 2:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Titus 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Titus 2:8 means
Titus must use sound, healthy speech—truthful, clear, and gracious—so that no fair charge can be brought against him. When a teacher’s words are carefully chosen and doctrinally solid, critics lose their footing. The goal is not to win arguments for pride’s sake, but to remove any legitimate occasion for reproach. Then those who oppose the gospel are put to shame, not because they were silenced unfairly, but because there is “no evil thing” to say. Such speech displays both courage and restraint. It refuses gossip, exaggeration, and careless talk, and it leans on Scripture’s authority rather than personal cleverness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Saying true and right words, against which no protest may be made, so that he who is not on our side may be put to shame, unable to say any evil of us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862discourse sound, irreprehensible, that he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890a sound word, not to be condemned; that he who is opposed may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us:
Context
Following the call for Titus’s life and teaching to be exemplary, verse 8 completes the triad by addressing speech. The purpose clause about silencing opponents links back to the problem of false teachers (chapter 1) and forward to the ongoing witness of the church. Next, in verses 9–10, Paul will turn from leaders and free members to servants, showing that every station in life is a platform to honor God and adorn doctrine before a watching society.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 12:32
And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he:
- Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
- Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and questionings:
- 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;
- 1 Timothy 5:14
I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
- 1 Peter 2:12
having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
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