Survey of the Letters of Paul back to the top     back to main page for this verse Titus 2:8 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. This section has two verses. Titus 2:7-8 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 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. We will begin with the Barclay Commentary. THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER 5. THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER Titus 2:7–8 And all the time you are doing this you must offer yourself as a pattern of fine conduct; and in your teaching you must display absolute purity of motive, dignity, a sound message which no one could condemn, so that your opponent may be turned to shame, because he can find nothing bad to say about us. IF Titus’ teaching is to be effective, it must be backed by the witness of his own life. He is himself to be the demonstration of all that he teaches. (1) It must be clear that his motives are absolutely pure. The Christian teacher and preacher is always faced with certain temptations. There is always the danger of self-publicity, the temptation to demonstrate one’s own cleverness and to seek to attract notice to oneself rather than to God’s message. There is always the temptation to power. The teacher, the preacher, the pastor is always confronted with the temptation to be a dictator. Leader he must be, but dictator never. Titus will find that people can be led, but that they will never be driven. If there is one danger which confronts the Christian teacher and preacher more than another, it is to set store by the wrong standards of success. It can often happen that those who have never been heard of outside their own sphere of work are in God’s eyes far more successful than those who have become household names. (2) He must have dignity. Dignity is not aloofness, or arrogance, or pride; it is the consciousness of having the terrible responsibility of being the ambassador of Christ. Others may stoop to pettiness; Titus must be above it. Others may bear their grudges; he must have no bitterness. Others may be touchy about their status; he must have a humility which has forgotten that it has a place. Others may grow irritable or blaze into anger in an argument; he must have a serenity which cannot be provoked. Nothing so injures the cause of Christ as when leaders of the Church and pastors of the people descend to conduct and to words unworthy of Christ’s servants. (3) He must have a sound message. Christian teachers and preachers must be certain to pass on the truths of the gospel and not their own ideas. There is nothing easier than to spend time on side issues; but Titus might well have one prayer: ‘God, give me a sense of proportion.’ The central things of the faith will last him a lifetime. As soon as he becomes a propagandist either for his own ideas or for the interest of a particular group, he ceases to be an effective preacher or teacher of the word of God. The duty laid on Titus is the tremendous task not of talking to people about Christ but of showing Christ to them. It must be true of him as it was of Chaucer’s saintly parson in the Canterbury Tales:  [knowing that Chaucer uses strange spellings of words] But Cristes love, and his apostles twelve He taught, but first he folwed it him-selve. The greatest compliment that can be paid to a teacher is to say of him: ‘First he wrought, and then he taught.’ ~Barclay Commentary Now to the other commentaries beginning with the general and going to the specific.  We will begin with the Matthew Henry Main 5. With these instructions to Titus, respecting what he should teach others - the aged men and women, and the younger of both sexes (Titus himself probably at this time being a young man also), the apostle inserts some directions to himself. He could not expect so successfully to teach others, if he did not conduct himself well both in his conversation and preaching. (1.) Here is direction for his conversation: In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works, Titus 2:7. Without this, he would pull down with one hand what he built with the other. Observe, Preachers of good works must be patterns of them also; good doctrine and good life must go together. Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? A defect here is a great blemish and a great hindrance. In all things; some read, above all things, or above all men. Instructing others in the particulars of their duty is necessary, and, above all things, example, especially that of the teacher himself, is needful; hereby both light and influence are more likely to go together. “Let them see a lively image of those virtues and graces in thy life which must be in theirs. Example may both teach and impress the things taught; when they see purity and gravity, sobriety and all good life, in thee, they may be more easily won and brought thereto themselves; they may become pious and holy, sober and righteous, as thou art.” Ministers must be examples to the flock, and the people followers of them, as they are of Christ. And here is direction, (2.) For his teaching and doctrine, as well as for his life: In doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned, Titus 2:7-8. They must make it appear that the design of their preaching is purely to advance the honour of God, the interest of Christ and his kingdom, and the welfare and happiness of souls; that this office was not entered into nor used with secular views, not from ambition nor covetousness, but a pure aim at the spiritual ends of its institution. In their preaching, therefore, the display of wit or parts, or of human learning or oratory, is not to be affected; but sound speech must be used, which cannot be condemned; scripture-language, as far as well may be, in expressing scripture-truths. This is sound speech, that cannot be condemned. We have more than once these duties of a minister set together. 1 Timothy 4:16 [see Lesson] , Take heed to thyself, and to thy doctrine: and, 1 Timothy 4:12 [see Lesson] . of the same chapter, “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of believers in word - in thy speech, as a Christian, being grave, serious, and to the use of edifying; and in thy preaching, that it be the pure word of God, or what is agreeable to it and founded on it. Thus be an example in word: and in conversation, the life corresponding with the doctrine. In doing this thou shalt both save thyself and those that hear thee.” In 2 Timothy 3:10 [see Lesson] , Thou hast fully known my doctrine and manner of life (says the same apostle), how agreeable these have been. And so must it be with others; their teaching must be agreeable to the word, and their life with their teaching. This is the true and good minister. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10. Labouring night and day, we preached to you the gospel of God; and you are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblamably, we behaved ourselves among you. This must be looked to, as the next words show, which are, (3.) The reason both for the strictness of the minister's life and the gravity and soundness of his preaching: That he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Adversaries would be seeking occasion to reflect, and would do so could they find any thing amiss in doctrine or life; but, if both were right and good, such ministers might set calumny itself at defiance; they would have not evil thing to say justly, and so must be ashamed of their opposition. Observe, Faithful ministers will have enemies watching for their halting, such as will endeavour to find or pick holes in their teaching or behaviour; the more need therefore for them to look to themselves, that no just occasion be found against them. Opposition and calumny perhaps may not be escaped; men of corrupt minds will resist the truth, and often reproach the preachers and professors of it; but let them see that with well-doing they put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; that, when they speak evil of them as evil-doers; those may be ashamed who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ. This is the direction to Titus himself, and so of the duties of free persons, male and female, old and young. ~Matthew Henry Main Now to the Matthew Henry Concise. This commentary covers verses 1-10.    Old disciples of Christ must behave in everything agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore, need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for every word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all must be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavor must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of! ~Matthew Henry Concise. Now something from the Summarized Bible that covers the entire chapter. Contents: Pastoral work of a true minister. Characters: Christ, Paul, Titus. Conclusion: The ministers of Christ should discharge their duties with faithfulness, being careful to teach only such truths as are emphasized by God’s Word, and dividing to each person, according to their age, and condition in life, those special portions of the truth designed for their particular spiritual needs. Let all considerations of the Gospel be ever linked to those foundation truths, the grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ, the sanctified life through Him and the blessed hope of His return. Key Word: Sound doctrine, Titus 2:1, Titus 2:15. Titus 2:1 [see Lesson] But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: Titus 2:15 [see Lesson] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Strong Verses: Titus 2:7, Titus 2:11, Titus 2:12, Titus 2:13, Titus 2:14. Titus 2:7 [see Lesson] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Titus 2:11 [see Lesson] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2:12 [see Lesson] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Titus 2:13 [see Lesson] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Striking Facts: Titus 2:11-13. We have in Titus 2:12, Titus 2:13, the A B C’s of the school of grace. The Gospel of grace teaches us (1) to leave the old life (2) to live the new life (3) to look for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of Christ. ~Summarized Bible Titus 2:11-13 [see Lessons] 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Now to the specific commentaries. The verse breaks out in three parts: 1] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned. 2] That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed. 3] having no evil thing to say to you. 1] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned. Sound speech -Sound or healing doctrine. Human nature is in a state of disease; and the doctrine of the Gospel is calculated to remove the disease, and restore all to perfect health and soundness. All false doctrines leave men under the influence of this spiritual disease; the unadulterated doctrine of the Gospel alone can heal men. ~Adam Clarke Sound speech that cannot be condemned - In the public ministry, the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus should be used, and the doctrines of the Gospel be expressed, as near as can be, in the words which the Holy [Spirit] teacheth [God through the Holy Spirit], and not in the enticing words of man's wisdom; such speech or language should be chosen, that is plain, easy, and acceptable, and conveys just ideas of things; and which being agreeable to the Scriptures of truth, and the analogy of faith, cannot be justly found fault with: or this may refer to private conversation, in which no rotten speech, or corrupt communication should proceed out of the mouth; nothing but what is pure, sound, graceful, and edifying; no filthiness, nor foolish talking and jesting, which are not convenient, and are rightly condemned. ~John Gill Sound speech - Notes, 1 Timothy 1:10. He was to use language that would be spiritually “healthful” (ὑγιῆ hugiē); that is, true, pure, uncorrupted. - This word, and its correlatives, is used in this sense, in the New Testament, only by the apostle Paul. It is commonly applied to the body, meaning that which is healthful, or whole; see Luke 5:31; Luke 6:10; Luke 7:10; Luke 15:27; Matthew 12:13; Matthew 15:31; Mark 3:5; Mark 5:34; John 5:4, John 5:6, John 5:9, John 5:11, John 5:14-15; John 7:23; Acts 4:10; 3 John 1:2. For Paul’s use of the word see 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13;2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9, Titus 1:13; Titus 2:1-2, Titus 2:8. It does not elsewhere occur. ~Barnes Notes Quoted verses: The first set of verse in the Barnes Notes commentary speak to the body [healthful or whole] and I have them listed below. For the audio of this Bible study, I will read the verses here in bold type [in the list above and the whole verses below] that speak to sound speech. 1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; Luke 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. Luke 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Luke 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Matthew 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. John 5:14-15 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. John 7:23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 1 Timothy 1:10 [see Lesson] For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 1 Timothy 6:3 [see Lesson] 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; 2 Timothy 1:13 [see Lesson] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 4:3 [see Lesson] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; Titus 1:9 [see Lesson] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:13 [see Lesson] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Titus 2:1-2 [see Lesson] 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Titus 2:8 [see Lesson] 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. That cannot be condemned - Such as cannot be shown to be weak, or unsound; such that no one could find fault with it, or such as an adversary could not take hold of and blame. This direction would imply purity and seriousness of language, solidity of argument, and truth in the doctrines which he maintained. ~Barnes Notes 2] That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed. He that is of the contrary part - Whether this may refer to the Judaizing teachers in general, or to some one who might, by his false doctrine, have been disturbing the peace of the Churches in Crete, we cannot tell. ~Adam Clarke That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed - that is, that he who is on the other side of the question, who opposes the truths of the Gospel, and is an adversary to them; whether he be an Heathen philosopher, or a Jewish Rabbi, or a judaizing teacher, or an heretical [huh-ret-i-kuh l] man, under the Christian name, may be put to shame and confusion; partly on account of that uncorruptness in doctrine and conversation, which he observes in the true and faithful ministers of the word, and is wanting in himself; and so being convinced, may be converted and brought to repentance, and to the acknowledgment of the truth; and partly on the account of the false charges and accusations brought by him against such: ~John Gill That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed - Ashamed that he has opposed such views. ~Barnes Notes 3] having on evil thing to say to you. Having no evil thing to say of you - Against a person who is sound in his doctrine, and holy in his life, no evil can be justly alleged. He who reports evil of such a person must be confounded when brought to the test. ~Adam Clarke Having no evil thing to say of you - whether with respect to doctrine or practice. The Vulgate Latin version, and all the Oriental versions, read "us", instead of "you". The whole body is reproached for the sake of one or more. ~John Gill So, immerse yourself in the Word of God, study, meditate, pray and think so that your speech is sound.  This is the lesson of Verse 8.   back to the top     back to main page for this verse