Tag Archives: Titus 2:10

Adornment through Action: Participles and Purpose in Titus 2:10

Μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν. (Titus 2:10)

Not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the teaching of our Savior God in all things.

The Gospel Made Visible

This verse presents a powerful vision of Christian witness—not through words, but through conduct. Addressing Christian slaves, Paul exhorts them not to steal (μὴ νοσφιζομένους) but to demonstrate faithful character (πίστιν… ἐνδεικνυμένους). The participial constructions serve as behavioral descriptors, and the purpose clause (ἵνα… κοσμῶσιν) reveals the goal: to make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every respect.… Learn Koine Greek

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Adorning the Doctrine: Faithfulness and Beauty in Titus 2:10

The Verse in Focus (Titus 2:10)

μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν

μὴ νοσφιζομένους: A Prohibition of Theft

The participle νοσφιζομένους is the present middle/passive participle, accusative masculine plural, from νοσφίζω, meaning “to pilfer,” “to embezzle,” or “to withhold.” It is used here with the negative particle μὴ, forming a prohibition: “not stealing” or “not holding back.”

This participle likely refers to bondservants or workers, continuing Paul’s ethical instruction. It stresses integrity in handling what belongs to others.

ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν: Positive Contrast

This participial phrase is the positive counterpart to the prohibition:

– ἀλλὰ — “but,” marking contrast.… Learn Koine Greek

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