Bible Strands
Titus 2:10
not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul instructs Titus to command slaves to submit to their masters in every matter (Titus 2:9). This directive functions as the immediate behavioral counterpart to the broader ethical framework Paul establishes before noting the appearance of God's grace (Titus 2:11).
The words — νοσφιζομένους (nosphizomenous) denotes pilfering or embezzlement, while πίστιν (pistin) signifies fidelity or good faith. The Greek construction pairs these terms to contrast dishonest appropriation with complete trustworthiness in one's duties.
The thread — The pattern of conduct that draws external observers to glorify God appears in Matthew 5:16 and 1 Peter 2:12. The warning against abandoning apostolic instruction runs parallel to 2 John 1:9.
Why it lands — The text requires slaves to replace theft with total reliability in their service. The stated purpose is that such conduct will uniformly enhance the reputation of the doctrine concerning God as Savior.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- 1 Peter 2:12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
- 2 John 1:9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
- 1 Samuel 26:23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
- Psalms 101:6 My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me.
- Matthew 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time?
- Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
- 1 Timothy 6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
- 1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,