complete verse (Titus 2:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of Titus 2:7:

  • Uma: “And you too Titus, you must be an example to others. When you teach, teach from a true heart, and your character must be straight so that you are fit/worthy to be respected by others.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “As for you, Titus, your behavior/conduct ought to be very good so that your companions imitate/join in with your (sing.) custom. And when/if you teach, your teaching ought to be straight only and your (sing.) conduct should hit-the-mark with/be exactly conforming to the word of God which you teach.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for you also, your behaviour must always be good so that you might be imitated by your companions. And when you teach, your purpose must be correct, and your way of teaching must be in line with the Word of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You (sing.) also, your (sing.) behavior should always be good so that you (sing.) will be good as an example-to-be-followed by your (sing.) companions. In your (sing.) teaching, see-to-it that your (sing.) motives are sincere and that the way you (sing.) speak is appropriate to the important things-that-you-are-teaching (sing.).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Be being careful that wholly good is what you do, so that that is what they can copy. And as long as you are teaching, it’s necessary that it is clear to everyone that you are holding fast to the true teaching and you regard as far-from-ordinary that which you are teaching.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “And you, show what the good conduct is that must be lived by the people. When you teach, it is the straight word which you must speak. And have respect.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Titus 2:6 – Titus 2:7

Urge is a verb that is often translated “exhort” or “encourage,” for which see 1 Tim 1.3 and 2.1.

Younger men is the comparative masculine form of the word translated “young women” in the verse 4.

To control themselves is the verb form of the word translated “sensible” in 2.2 and 2.5. The verb can literally be translated “to keep one’s head” and refers primarily to controlling the activities of one’s mind, resulting in sobriety and sensibleness. See further on 1 Tim 3.2.

In much the same way that Paul appealed to Timothy to be an example to the believers (1 Tim 4.12, 13), he urges Titus to play the same role particularly for the young men, and since he is one of them, the qualities he is encouraged to exhibit are also meant for the group as a whole.

In the Greek text in all respects (literally “in all things”) is at the beginning of verse 7 and may be interpreted as going with what precedes; hence “self-controlled in all things”; this is in fact the way the UBS Greek text is punctuated and is the option followed by some translations (for example, New Jerusalem Bible “be moderate in everything that they do”; Revised English Bible “to be temperate in all things”). It can, however, be taken as going with what follows, as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done. This Handbook recommends that translators take the phrase in all respects as agreeing with what follows. Other ways to express this are “And you yourself must always set an example of good conduct for others to follow” or “You should always do good deeds as an example for others to follow.”

Show translates a verb that means “to exhibit,” “to present.” Model translates the same word rendered “example” in 1 Tim 4.12, for which see discussion there. It may not be natural to literally translate the Greek here; it may be much more appropriate to say “you must be an example” (for example, Good News Translation) or “Set them an example” (Revised English Bible; compare New Jerusalem Bible “you yourself set an example”).

Deeds may be taken to refer to specific acts, or to conduct or behavior in general (for example, Good News Translation “good behavior,” Revised English Bible “good conduct,” Phillips “good living”).

For teaching see 1 Tim 1.10. The focus here is on Titus’ activity as a teacher rather than on the content of his teaching.

The word for integrity appears only here in the New Testament; when used of content it ascribes to it the qualities of moral soundness, purity, and being devoid of any corruption. Here, however, it denotes the quality of Titus’ way of teaching and includes the elements of honesty, sincerity, and purity of motivation. In certain languages this will be expressed idiomatically as “with a true heart.”

Gravity translates the same word used in 1 Tim 2.2 and 1 Tim 3.4, where it is translated “respectful in every way.” Here the accent is perhaps on a particular way of teaching; hence “serious” (Good News Translation), “dignified.” An alternative translation model for the final sentence is “When you teach, do it in a sincere and serious way.”

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 .