The Meaning of Titus 2:7 Explained

Titus 2:7

KJV: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

YLT: concerning all things thyself showing a pattern of good works; in the teaching uncorruptedness, gravity, incorruptibility,

Darby: in all things affording thyself as a pattern of good works; in teaching uncorruptedness, gravity,

ASV: in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine'showing uncorruptness, gravity,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

In  all things  shewing  thyself  a pattern  of good  works:  in  doctrine  [shewing] uncorruptness,  gravity,  sincerity, 

What does Titus 2:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Titus 2:1-8 - A Pattern For Old And Young
The supreme test of all Christian teaching and Christian work depends on whether they produce healthy characters, which are not contaminated by the noisome and germ-laden atmosphere around. Our teaching must be healthy and also health-creating. There must be plenty of ozone in it.
The Apostle's strophes are few but fine. In the briefest sentences he seizes the salient features of Christian character. The aged man-strong, calm, patient, full of faith and love. The aged woman-holy, reverent, beloved, honored, and obeyed by the younger women of the same household or church. So also with the young men and women. What a life is sketched here against which the tongue of slander is dumb!
But, after all, these results cannot be realized apart from the personal holiness of their minister and leader. He must furnish a pattern of good works. His attitude to things which are questionable and doubtful must be decided not by his own predilections or fancies, but by the consideration of the effect which his action is likely to have on the keen eyes that are carefully watching him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Titus 2

1  Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life
10  Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians

Greek Commentary for Titus 2:7

Shewing thyself [σεαυτον παρεχομενος]
Present middle (redundant middle) participle of παρεχω — parechō with the reflexive pronoun σεαυτον — seauton as if the active voice παρεχων — parechōn The Koiné{[28928]}š shows an increasing number of such constructions (Robertson, Grammar, p. 811). See active in 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
An ensample [τυπον]
For this word see note on 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Philemon 3:17. Uncorruptness (απτοριαν — aphthorian). Only example, from late adjective απτορος — aphthoros (α — a privative and πτειρω — phtheirō). [source]
Uncorruptness [απτοριαν]
Only example, from late adjective απτορος — aphthoros (α — a privative and πτειρω — phtheirō). [source]
In all things [περὶ πάντα]
Lit. concerning all things. The exact phrase, N.T.oFor analogous use of περὶ comp. Luke 10:40, Luke 10:41; Acts 19:25; 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 6:4, 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 3:8. [source]
Shewing thyself [σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος]
See on 1 Timothy 1:4. The phrase N.T.obut occurs in Class., as, to show one's self holy or righteous; wise or skillful; παρέχειν tomake himself scarce. [source]
Incorruptness [ἀφθορίαν]
Const. with shewing. N.T.ooClass. lxx once, Haggai 2:18. Omit sincerity. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Titus 2:7

1 Timothy 5:10 For good works [ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς]
Lit. in good works; in the matter of. Comp. 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 2:7; Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14. In the Gospels, ἔργον workappears with καλὸς and never with ἀγαθὸς . In Paul, always with ἀγαθὸς and never with καλὸς KingsIn the Pastorals, with both. The phrase includes good deeds of all kinds, and not merely special works of beneficence. Comp. Acts 9:36. [source]
1 Timothy 3:9 In a pure conscience [ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει]
Comp. 2 Timothy 1:3, 2 Timothy 1:5, 19. Const. with holding. The emphasis of the passage is on these words. They express conscientious purity and sincerity in contrast with those who are described as branded in their own conscience, and thus causing their followers to fall away from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:2). The passage illustrates the peculiar treatment of “faith” in these Epistles, in emphasizing its ethical aspect and its ethical environment. This is not contrary to Paul's teaching, nor does it go to the extent of substituting morals for faith as the condition of salvation and eternal life. See 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:1; Titus 3:5. Nonetheless, there is a strong and habitual emphasis on good works (see 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7, Titus 2:14; Titus 3:1, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14), and faith is placed in a series of practical duties (see 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Timothy 3:10). “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” is a significant association of faith with ethics. As Weiss puts it: “It is as if the pure conscience were the vessel in which the mystery of the faith is preserved.” The idea is sound and valuable. A merely intellectual attitude toward the mystery which, in every age, attaches to the faith, will result in doubt, questioning, and wordy strife (see 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9), sometimes in moral laxity, sometimes in despair. Loyalty and duty to God are compatible with more or less ignorance concerning the mystery. An intellect, however powerful and active, joined with an impure conscience, cannot solve but only aggravates the mystery; whereas a pure and loyal conscience, and a frank acceptance of imposed duty along with mystery, puts one in the best attitude for attaining whatever solution is possible. See John 7:17. [source]
1 Timothy 2:2 And all them that are in high place [και παντων των εν υπεροχηι οντων]
υπεροχη — Huperochē is old word (from υπεροχος — huperochos and this from υπερ — huper and εχω — echō), but in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 2:1. That we may lead (ινα διαγωμεν — hina diagōmen). Purpose clause with present active subjunctive of διαγω — diagō an old and common verb, but in N.T. only here and Titus 3:3. Tranquil Late adjective from the old adverb ηρεμα — ērema (stilly, quietly). Here only in N.T. Quiet (ησυχιον — hēsuchion). Old adjective, once in lxx (Isa 66:2), in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 3:4. Life Old word for course of life (not ζωη — zōē). So Luke 8:14. Gravity (σεμνοτητι — semnotēti). Old word from σεμνος — semnos (Philemon 4:8), in N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 2:7. [source]
1 Timothy 2:2 Tranquil [ηρεμον]
Late adjective from the old adverb ηρεμα — ērema (stilly, quietly). Here only in N.T. Quiet (ησυχιον — hēsuchion). Old adjective, once in lxx (Isa 66:2), in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 3:4. Life Old word for course of life (not ζωη — zōē). So Luke 8:14. Gravity (σεμνοτητι — semnotēti). Old word from σεμνος — semnos (Philemon 4:8), in N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 2:7. [source]
1 Timothy 2:2 Life [βιον]
Old word for course of life (not ζωη — zōē). So Luke 8:14. Gravity (σεμνοτητι — semnotēti). Old word from σεμνος — semnos (Philemon 4:8), in N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 2:7. [source]
1 Timothy 2:2 Gravity [σεμνοτητι]
Old word from σεμνος — semnos (Philemon 4:8), in N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 2:7. [source]
1 Timothy 4:12 Thy youth [σου της νεοτητος]
Genitive case of old word (from νεος — neos) as in Mark 10:20. Be thou (γινου — ginou). Present middle imperative of γινομαι — ginomai “Keep on becoming thou.” An ensample Old word from τυπτω — tuptō a type. Pauline use of the word (1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Philemon 3:17; Titus 2:7). To them that believe (των πιστων — tōn pistōn). Objective genitive. In word In conversation as well as in public speech. In manner of life (εν αναστροπηι — en anastrophēi). “In bearing” (Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 4:22). In purity Old word from αγνευω — hagneuō Sinlessness of life. Used of a Nazirite (Numbers 6:2, Numbers 6:21). Only here and 1 Timothy 5:2 in N.T. [source]
1 Timothy 4:12 An ensample [τυπος]
Old word from τυπτω — tuptō a type. Pauline use of the word (1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Philemon 3:17; Titus 2:7). To them that believe (των πιστων — tōn pistōn). Objective genitive. In word In conversation as well as in public speech. In manner of life (εν αναστροπηι — en anastrophēi). “In bearing” (Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 4:22). In purity Old word from αγνευω — hagneuō Sinlessness of life. Used of a Nazirite (Numbers 6:2, Numbers 6:21). Only here and 1 Timothy 5:2 in N.T. [source]
Titus 2:6 The younger men [τους νεωτερους]
Just one item, besides “likewise” It is possible to take “in all things” (περι παντα — peri panta) with σωπρονειν — sōphronein though the editors take it with Titus 2:7. [source]

What do the individual words in Titus 2:7 mean?

In all things yourself be holding forth [as] a pattern of good works in the teaching integrity dignity
Περὶ πάντα σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος τύπον καλῶν ἔργων ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀφθορίαν σεμνότητα

πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
σεαυτὸν  yourself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Root: σεαυτοῦ  
Sense: thyself, thee.
παρεχόμενος  be  holding  forth 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: παρέχω  
Sense: to reach forth, offer.
τύπον  [as]  a  pattern 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: τυπικῶς 
Sense: the mark of a stroke or blow, print.
καλῶν  of  good 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
ἔργων  works 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
διδασκαλίᾳ  teaching 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: διδασκαλία  
Sense: teaching, instruction.
ἀφθορίαν  integrity 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀφθαρσία  
Sense: incorruption, perpetuity.
σεμνότητα  dignity 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σεμνότης  
Sense: the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity.