Titus 2:10
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
Not
G3361
μὴ
Not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 17
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
πίστιν
fidelity
G4102
πίστιν
fidelity
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
4 of 17
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διδασκαλίαν
the doctrine
G1319
διδασκαλίαν
the doctrine
Strong's:
G1319
Word #:
10 of 17
instruction (the function or the information)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Matthew 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.1 Peter 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.Ephesians 4:1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 John 1:9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.1 Corinthians 4:2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.Matthew 24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?1 Timothy 6:3If 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;1 Timothy 6:1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.Luke 16:10He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.1 Peter 3:16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Historical Context
Masters judged Christianity by their slaves' conduct. Dishonest or lazy Christian slaves discredited the gospel; faithful ones commended it. This placed enormous pressure on the most vulnerable, but also empowered them as crucial gospel witnesses. Their godliness adorned doctrine more powerfully than eloquent preachers.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your daily work adorn the gospel, making Christianity attractive, or do you discredit it through laziness, dishonesty, or complaining?
- How do you resist petty theft—time, supplies, intellectual property—in your workplace?
- In what ways can even the powerless and lowly demonstrate gospel truth through faithful service?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity—μὴ νοσφιζομένους (mē nosphizomenous, not embezzling/pilfering/misappropriating) addresses petty theft. Slaves had access to household goods; temptation to pilfer was constant. Instead, ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν πίστιν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν (alla pasan pistin endeiknymenous agathēn, demonstrating all good fidelity/faithfulness)—comprehensive trustworthiness even when unsupervised.
That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν, hina tēn didaskalian tēn tou sōtēros hēmōn theou kosmōsin en pasin)—κοσμέω (kosmeō, to adorn/decorate/beautify, root of "cosmetic") makes doctrine attractive. Slaves' faithful service provides visible apologetic. The most socially powerless demonstrate gospel power most clearly—God's upside-down kingdom (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).