Translation commentary on Titus 2:6 – Titus 2:7

Urge is a verb that is often translated “exhort” or “encourage,” for which see 1 Tim 1.3 and 2.1.

Younger men is the comparative masculine form of the word translated “young women” in the verse 4.

To control themselves is the verb form of the word translated “sensible” in 2.2 and 2.5. The verb can literally be translated “to keep one’s head” and refers primarily to controlling the activities of one’s mind, resulting in sobriety and sensibleness. See further on 1 Tim 3.2.

In much the same way that Paul appealed to Timothy to be an example to the believers (1 Tim 4.12, 13), he urges Titus to play the same role particularly for the young men, and since he is one of them, the qualities he is encouraged to exhibit are also meant for the group as a whole.

In the Greek text in all respects (literally “in all things”) is at the beginning of verse 7 and may be interpreted as going with what precedes; hence “self-controlled in all things”; this is in fact the way the UBS Greek text is punctuated and is the option followed by some translations (for example, New Jerusalem Bible “be moderate in everything that they do”; Revised English Bible “to be temperate in all things”). It can, however, be taken as going with what follows, as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done. This Handbook recommends that translators take the phrase in all respects as agreeing with what follows. Other ways to express this are “And you yourself must always set an example of good conduct for others to follow” or “You should always do good deeds as an example for others to follow.”

Show translates a verb that means “to exhibit,” “to present.” Model translates the same word rendered “example” in 1 Tim 4.12, for which see discussion there. It may not be natural to literally translate the Greek here; it may be much more appropriate to say “you must be an example” (for example, Good News Translation) or “Set them an example” (Revised English Bible; compare New Jerusalem Bible “you yourself set an example”).

Deeds may be taken to refer to specific acts, or to conduct or behavior in general (for example, Good News Translation “good behavior,” Revised English Bible “good conduct,” Phillips “good living”).

For teaching see 1 Tim 1.10. The focus here is on Titus’ activity as a teacher rather than on the content of his teaching.

The word for integrity appears only here in the New Testament; when used of content it ascribes to it the qualities of moral soundness, purity, and being devoid of any corruption. Here, however, it denotes the quality of Titus’ way of teaching and includes the elements of honesty, sincerity, and purity of motivation. In certain languages this will be expressed idiomatically as “with a true heart.”

Gravity translates the same word used in 1 Tim 2.2 and 1 Tim 3.4, where it is translated “respectful in every way.” Here the accent is perhaps on a particular way of teaching; hence “serious” (Good News Translation), “dignified.” An alternative translation model for the final sentence is “When you teach, do it in a sincere and serious way.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Titus. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Titus 2:8

As Revised Standard Version shows, this is still a part of the sentence that began with verse 7, and therefore it is a further description of Titus’ teaching. It is awkward, however, to use the verb show with sound speech unless it is recast in some way (for example, New International Version “In your teaching show … soundness of speech”). Another way of dealing with this problem is to start a new sentence at verse 8 and employ an appropriate verb (for example, Good News Translation “Use”; compare Revised English Bible “offer”).

The word for sound occurs only here in the New Testament but comes from the same root as “sound” in 1 Tim 1.10. It can mean “accurate,” “right,” “useful.” Speech is literally “word” but is used here to refer either to the content of what is uttered or to actual words used. Sound speech therefore means “accurate teaching” or “right doctrine” when used of content, and “useful words” or “proper words” when used of actual words that are spoken. Other ways to express this are “When you teach, always teach correct doctrine” or “… always use words that will help and encourage others.”

Cannot be censured translates a word that appears only here in the New Testament and means “above criticism,” “beyond condemnation,” “beyond reproach.” The implied agents are of course other people, Christians and non-Christians alike, and this can be made explicit in the translation; for example, “which no one can criticize.”

The purpose of all this (verses 7-8a, and not simply 8a) is to put to shame “the opponent,” which is what the Greek text has (literally “the one who is opposed,” only here in the whole New Testament; compare Phillips “your opponent”). Some have suggested that this term refers to a specific person, perhaps a pagan critic. It is of course possible, and in fact more likely, to take opponent here as a generic term for those who oppose Titus and the church (compare Jerusalem Bible “any opponent”), in which case it is more appropriate in some languages to use the plural form (compare Good News Translation “your enemies,” New International Version “those who oppose you”).

May be put to shame translates a verb that occurs only here in the Pastoral Letters. It is literally “to turn around, revert”; in a good sense it means “to turn toward (someone in respect)”; in a bad sense, as here, it means “to be put to shame.” The expression may be taken as reflexive; hence “may be ashamed of themselves” (compare Phillips “will feel ashamed”). The last part of the verse can be interpreted as the reason for their being ashamed: if Titus’ opponents find that they have no case against him and against the church, then they will look foolish indeed. It is also possible to take this last part as a result of their being ashamed: the opponents feel so ashamed that they cannot say anything bad at all against the Christians (compare Contemporary English Version “your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you”).

Us refers to Titus and all Christians in general and should therefore be translated as inclusive.

Alternative translation models for this verse are:

• When you teach, always teach correct doctrine so that no one can criticize you. If you do this, your enemies will not be able to say anything against us [inclusive] and so will be ashamed (or, lose face).

Or:

• When you teach, always use words that will help and encourage others so that no one….

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Titus. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .