The Greek that is translated as “blameless” or “guiltless” or similar in English is translated in Huautla Mazatec as ni̱jme jìn kjoa̱ xi chꞌao tjín koansjaitꞌain or “do not find any ugly / bad matter for them.” Jean Paul Gotopo Maldonado who is participating in the work on a new translation explains: “In Huautla Mazatec there is no term to indicate the irreproachable character of a person, therefore this concept is described with a phrase.”
In the Catholic Mandarin ChineseSigao version it is translated with a historical Chinese idiom: wúkě zhǐzhāi (無可指摘 / 无可指摘) or “beyond reproach (lit. “nothing to point out”).” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)
The Greek in Titus 2:8 that is translated as “sound speech” or similar in English is translated in Low German idiomatically as “whatever you say must have rhyme or reason (lit.: “has to have hand and feet”) so that it cannot be shaken” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).
Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)
The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).
For this verse (“nothing bad to say about us” in English translations), Kwara’ae and Tok Pisin translators chose the inclusive form (including the writer of the letter and Titus).
Following are a number of back-translations of Titus 2:8:
Uma: “Your speech must always be true with nothing that can be faulted. If your actions are like that, people who are not on our side will just end up being embarrassed, because there will not be any evil speech for which they can disparage us.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Your words ought to be only good so that the people do not put-down/criticize your teaching, and so that the ones-opposing-us (incl.) are also ashamed because there is no reason for them to put us (incl.) down/criticize us (incl.).” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Whatever you teach must come from the correct doctrine so that it might not be spoken of as error. And then our (dual) enemies will have nothing to criticize us for, rather they will be ashamed.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “See-to-it-also that what you (sing.) teach is correct so that no one will belittle. For if what you (sing.) do is like these, those who are opposing-us will be ashamed, for they will not be able to speak-evil-of us.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Ensure that your speech is wholly good and true so that no fault can be found in it. Isn’t it so that if it’s like that, those ones who are opposing you will be ashamed for there’s nothing they can negatively-criticize us for.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Let it be the good word which you speak, never let it be incorrect words which you speak. Then those who are angry with you will not be able to find how to criticize you. Then they will be ashamed.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
As Revised Standard Version shows, this is still a part of the sentence that began with verse 7, and therefore it is a further description of Titus’ teaching. It is awkward, however, to use the verb show with sound speech unless it is recast in some way (for example, New International Version “In your teaching show … soundness of speech”). Another way of dealing with this problem is to start a new sentence at verse 8 and employ an appropriate verb (for example, Good News Translation “Use”; compare Revised English Bible “offer”).
The word for sound occurs only here in the New Testament but comes from the same root as “sound” in 1 Tim 1.10. It can mean “accurate,” “right,” “useful.” Speech is literally “word” but is used here to refer either to the content of what is uttered or to actual words used. Sound speech therefore means “accurate teaching” or “right doctrine” when used of content, and “useful words” or “proper words” when used of actual words that are spoken. Other ways to express this are “When you teach, always teach correct doctrine” or “… always use words that will help and encourage others.”
Cannot be censured translates a word that appears only here in the New Testament and means “above criticism,” “beyond condemnation,” “beyond reproach.” The implied agents are of course other people, Christians and non-Christians alike, and this can be made explicit in the translation; for example, “which no one can criticize.”
The purpose of all this (verses 7-8a, and not simply 8a) is to put to shame “the opponent,” which is what the Greek text has (literally “the one who is opposed,” only here in the whole New Testament; compare Phillips “your opponent”). Some have suggested that this term refers to a specific person, perhaps a pagan critic. It is of course possible, and in fact more likely, to take opponent here as a generic term for those who oppose Titus and the church (compare Jerusalem Bible “any opponent”), in which case it is more appropriate in some languages to use the plural form (compare Good News Translation “your enemies,” New International Version “those who oppose you”).
May be put to shame translates a verb that occurs only here in the Pastoral Letters. It is literally “to turn around, revert”; in a good sense it means “to turn toward (someone in respect)”; in a bad sense, as here, it means “to be put to shame.” The expression may be taken as reflexive; hence “may be ashamed of themselves” (compare Phillips “will feel ashamed”). The last part of the verse can be interpreted as the reason for their being ashamed: if Titus’ opponents find that they have no case against him and against the church, then they will look foolish indeed. It is also possible to take this last part as a result of their being ashamed: the opponents feel so ashamed that they cannot say anything bad at all against the Christians (compare Contemporary English Version “your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you”).
Us refers to Titus and all Christians in general and should therefore be translated as inclusive.
Alternative translation models for this verse are:
• When you teach, always teach correct doctrine so that no one can criticize you. If you do this, your enemies will not be able to say anything against us [inclusive] and so will be ashamed (or, lose face).
Or:
• When you teach, always use words that will help and encourage others so that no one….
Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Titus. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
wholesome speech: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wholesome means “healthy” or “correct.” It is related to the words in 2:1 and 2:2b that are translated “sound” by the Berean Standard Bible. Here it describes the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speech, which means “word” or “message.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
sound words (Good News Bible)
or
a sound message (NET Bible)
that is above reproach: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as above reproach often describes someone who is accused of a crime but is innocent. Titus should speak what is true so that any criticism someone might make of his teaching will have no basis.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
that cannot be condemned (New International Version (2011 Revision))
or
that no one can criticize (Contemporary English Version)
2:8b
so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed: This is a purpose clause. It indicates Paul’s purpose in telling Titus to teach in a serious and sincere way.
anyone who opposes us: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anyone who opposes us is more literally, “the opponent.” Paul probably did not have any one person in mind, but was referring in general to anyone who opposed Titus during his time of ministry on Crete. You may translate it using either a singular or plural form, whichever is most natural in your language. For example:
any opponent (New Revised Standard Version)
or
your enemies (Good News Bible)
us: This word is not in the Greek. Some versions add it or the word “you” in order to have an object for the verb “oppose.” If it is more natural in your language to say who “the opponent” is opposing, you may add either “us” to refer to Paul, Titus, and others who are working to promote the gospel message, or “you” or “your” to refer to Titus. For example:
those who oppose you (New International Version (2011 Revision))
or
your enemies (Good News Bible)
will be ashamed: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be ashamed is in the passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Using a passive verb. For example:
they may be put to shame (English Standard Version)
• Using an active verb. For example:
will feel shame
2:8c
having nothing bad to say about us: This clause probably indicates the reason why Titus’ opponents would be ashamed. They would not be able to think of any good reason to criticize Titus and his teaching. If Titus spoke truthfully and acted with integrity, his enemies would end up being ashamed and silent.
Here some other ways to translate this clause:
having nothing evil to say of us (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
because there is nothing bad to say about us (New Century Version)
General Comment on 2:7c-8c
The Berean Standard Bible has translated these verse parts as one long sentence. In some languages it may be more natural to translate them as two or more shorter sentences. For example:
7cWhen you teach, do it with honesty and seriousness. 8aSpeak the truth so that you cannot be criticized. 8bThen those who are against you will be ashamed 8cbecause there is nothing bad to say about us. (New Century Version)
Section 3:1–11 Christians should live good lives among unbelievers
This section contains the last major theme in this letter. In 2:1–14, Paul had discussed relationships between Christians. Now in 3:1–11, he wrote about relationships that Christians have with non-Christians. He once more gave Titus instructions to pass on to the believers: they must submit to government authorities, be kind to other people, and not participate in useless arguments. God has given them new life because of what Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have done, and they should live in peace and be generous to others.
Paragraph 3:1–2
In this paragraph, Paul told the believers to obey the laws of the government officers. He also gave general instructions about living peacefully and in a humble and kind way with other people.
These two verses form one long sentence in Greek and contain seven instructions for Titus to pass on to the believers on Crete. In some languages it may be natural to divide these verses into several shorter sentences. For example:
1Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way. 2Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone. (Good News Bible)
-or-
1aRemind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2aThey must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
3:1a
Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Remind here indicates that Paul wanted Titus to tell the people to remember something that they already knew.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities (Good News Bible)
-or-
Remind believers to willingly place themselves under the authority of government officials. (God’s Word)
-or-
You(sing) should tell the people there to remember to respect the authority of the various government officials and leaders.
to submit to: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as submit to means “to be subject to, respect the authority of.” Paul told Titus that Christians must respect the authority of the local (secular) leaders.
rulers and authorities: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rulers and authorities is more literally “rulers, authorities.” The two nouns basically mean the same thing. They refer to government rulers, not church leaders. They include people like the king or president, district officials, village chiefs—anyone who has been appointed or elected as a leader of the community. In some languages it may be natural to translate the two terms rulers and authorities using just one term. For example:
all those who rule
-or-
the various government leaders
-or-
the authority of government officials (God’s Word)
to be obedient: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be obedient here indicates that Paul wanted Titus to tell the people to obey their secular rulers. They should do as they were instructed. This word is very similar in meaning to the Greek word translated as “to submit to” in the previous clause.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
to obey them (God’s Word)
-or-
Believers should obey them. (God’s Word)
General Comment on 3:1a
In some languages it may be natural to combine the commands “submit” and “be obedient.” For example:
1aDiligently obey the commands of those who have authority over you.
3:1b
ready for every good work: Paul told Titus to tell the Christians that they must be willing or prepared to do anything that was good and helpful.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
and to be ready to do good in every way (Good News Bible)
-or-
always ready to what is good (New Living Translation (2004 R
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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