Titus 2:6-10

⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,

⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

⁹ Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,

¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

exhort (v.6) = “I beg of you, please” — not a strict demand but a loving urging

sober-minded (v.6) = of sound mind, self-controlled — the same word translated “temperate” in v.2 and “discreet” in v.5.

Paul directs his remarks directly to Titus in vs. 7 and 8, as Titus’s example is the best way to influence young men.

integrity (v.7) = absence of self-seeking or perverse motives

reverence (v.7) — dignity and solemnity when dealing with matters of doctrine and God’s Word

incorruptibility (v.7) — not in the best manuscripts

sound (v.8) = healthy, whole

you (v.8) — should be “us”

bondservants (v.9) = slaves — many of whom would be serving in pagan households

be obedient (v.9) — a military term for being in subjection, as in v.5

masters (v.9) = one who has absolute ownership and control over another — the Greek word from which we get “despot.”

well pleasing (v.9) = to give satisfaction

in all things (v.9) — goes with “be obedient”

answering back (v.9) = contradicting, thwarting the master’s plans and wishes

pilfering (v.10) = petty theft, embezzling

fidelity (v.10) = trustworthiness

adorn (v.10) = ornament, decorate, garnish, embellish with honor

doctrine (v.10) — that found in vs. 11-14