Titus 2 · Verse 10

Titus 2:10

Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Titus 2:10, King James Version

Titus 2:10 in other translations

BSBnot stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
WEBnot stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.
ASVnot purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
YLTnot purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.
DARBYnot robbing their masters, but shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the teaching which is of our Saviour God in all things.
BBENot taking what is not theirs, but giving clear signs of their good faith, in all things doing credit to the teaching of God our Saviour.
WebsterNot purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

What does Titus 2:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. Not purloining--Greek, "Not appropriating" what does not belong to one. It means "keeping back" dishonestly or deceitfully (Ac 5:2, 3). showing--manifesting in acts. all--all possible. good--really good; not so in mere appearance (Ep 6:5, 6; Col 3:22-24). "The heathen do not judge of the Christian's doctrines from the doctrine, but from his actions and life" [Chrysostom]. Men will write, fight, and even die for their religion; but how few live for it! Translate, "That they may adorn the doctrine of our Saviour God," that is, God the Father, the originating author of salvation (compare Note, see on 1Ti 1:1). God deigns to have His Gospel-doctrine adorned even by slaves, who are regarded by the world as no better than beasts of burden. "Though the service be rendered to an earthly master, the honor redounds to God, as the servant's goodwill flows from the fear of God" [Theophylact]. Even slaves, low as is their status, should not think the influence of their example a matter of no consequence to religion: how much more those in a high position. His love in being "our Saviour" is the strongest ground for our adorning His doctrine by our lives. This is the force of "For" in Tit 2:11.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. Not purloining. Not to appropriate to themselves what belongs to their masters. The word purloin means, literally, to take or carry away for one's self; and would be applied to an appropriation to one's self of what pertained to a common stock, or what belonged to one in whose employ we are--as the embezzlement of public funds. Here it means that the servant was not to apply to his own use what belonged to his master; that is, was not to pilfer --a vice to which, as all know, servants, and especially slaves, are particularly exposed. See the word explained Acts 5:2.

But showing all good fidelity. In labouring, and in taking care of the property intrusted to them.

That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. That they may show the fair influence of religion on them, in all respects, making them industrious, honest, kind, and obedient. They were to show that the effect of the religion which they professed was to make them better fitted to discharge tile duties of their station in life, however humble; or that its influence on them was desirable in every respect. In this way, they might hope also that the minds of their masters might be reached, and that they might be brought to respect and love the gospel. Learn, hence,

(1.) that one in the most humble walk of life may so live as to be an ornament to religion, as well as one favoured with more advantages.

(2.) That servants may do much good, by so living as to show to all around them that there is a reality in the gospel, and to lead others to love it.

(3.) If, in this situation of life, it is a duty so to live as to adorn religion, it cannot be less so in more elevated situations. A master should feel the obligation not to be surpassed in religious character by his servant.

(d) "that they may" Mt 5:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 Not purloining - Μη νοσφιζομενους· Neither giving away, privately selling, nor in any way wasting, the master's goods. The word signifies, not only stealing but embezzling another's property; keeping back a part of the price of any commodity sold on the master's account. In Act 5:2, we translate it, to keep back part of the price; the crime of which Ananias and Sapphira were guilty. It has been remarked that among the heathens this species of fraud was very frequent; and servants were so noted for purloining and embezzling their master's property that fur, which signifies a thief, was commonly used to signify a servant; hence that verse in Virgil, Eclog. iii. 16: - Quid domini faciant, audent cum talia Fures? "What may not masters do, when servants (thieves) are so bold?" On which Servius remarks: Pro Servo Furem posuit, furta enim specialiter servorum sunt. Sic Plautus de servo, Homo es trium literarum, i.e. fur. "He puts fur, a thief, to signify a servant, because servants are commonly thieves. Thus Plautus, speaking of a servant, says: Thou art a man of three letters, i.e. f-u-r, a thief." And Terence denominates a number of servants, munipulus furum, "a bundle of thieves." Eun. 4, 7, 6. The place in Plautus to which Servius refers is in Aulul., act ii. scene iv. in fine: - - Tun', trium literarum homo, Me vituperas? F-u-r, etiam fur trifurcifer. "Dost thou blame me, thou man of three letters? Thou art a thief, and the most notorious of all knaves." It was necessary, therefore, that the apostle should be so very particular in his directions to servants, as they were in general thieves almost by profession.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Titus 2:9-10

Servants must know and do their duty to their earthly masters, with a reference to their heavenly one. In serving an earthly master according to Christ's will, He is served; such shall be rewarded by him. Not giving disrespectful or provoking language; but to take a check or reproof with silence, not making confident or bold replies. When conscious of a fault, to excuse or justify it, doubles it. Never putting to…

Read the full comment on Titus 2:9-10 →

Titus 2:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μὴmēnotG3361
νοσφιζομένουςnosphizomenouspilferingG3557
ἀλλὰallabutG235
πᾶσανpasanallG3956
πίστινpistinfidelityG4102
ἐνδεικνυμένουςendeiknumenousshowingG1731
ἀγαθήν,agathēngood,G18
ἵναinaso thatG2443
τὴνtēntheG3588
διδασκαλίανdidaskaliandoctrineG1319
τοῦtouof theG3588
σωτῆροςsōtērosSaviorG4990
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
κοσμῶσινkosmōsinthey may adornG2885
ἐνeninG1722
πᾶσιν.¶pasinall things.G3956

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Titus 2:10

  • Matthew 5:16

    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

  • 1 Peter 2:12

    Having 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.

  • 2 John 1:9

    Whosoever 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 Samuel 26:23

    The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.

  • 1 Timothy 6:3

    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;

  • Psalms 101:6

    Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

  • 1 Timothy 6:1

    Let 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 16:10

    He 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 3:16

    Having 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.

  • Matthew 24:45

    Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

  • 1 Corinthians 4:2

    Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

  • Titus 1:3

    But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
purloining.
2Ki 5:20-24; Lu 16:6-8; Joh 12:6; Ac 5:2,3
shewing.
Ge 31:37,38; 39:8,9; 1Sa 22:14; 26:23; Ps 101:6; Mt 24:45; Lu 16:10
1Co 4:2
adorn.
Mt 5:16; Eph 4:1; Php 1:27; 2:15,16; 4:8; 1Pe 2:12; 3:16
the doctrine.
1Ti 5:17; 6:1,3; 2Jo 1:9
God.
1:3; 1Ti 1:1; Isa 12:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Titus 2:9

    Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

  • Titus 2:10

    Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

  • Titus 2:11

    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Read all of Titus 2

Titus 2:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No defraudando, antes mostrando toda buena lealtad, para que adornen en todo la doctrina de nuestro Salvador Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		ne détournant rien, mais montrant toute bonne fidélité, afin qu’ils ornent en toutes choses l’enseignement qui est de notre Dieu sauveur.
German
Elberfelder 1871		nichts unterschlagend, sondern alle gute Treue erweisend, auf daß sie die Lehre, die unseres Heiland-Gottes ist, zieren in allem.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		non fraudantes, sed in omnibus fidem bonam ostendentes: ut doctrinam Salvatoris nostri Dei ornent in omnibus.