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.
– ἐνδεικνυμένους — present middle participle of ἐνδείκνυμι, meaning “to show,” “demonstrate,” or “display.”
– πίστιν — “faith” or more precisely here, “faithfulness,” “trustworthiness.”
– πᾶσαν — “all,” emphasizing the complete extent of the faithfulness.
– ἀγαθήν — “good,” modifying πίστιν and affirming its moral quality.
This clause urges believers not only to refrain from wrongdoing but to actively exhibit trustworthiness of the highest quality.
ἵνα… κοσμῶσιν: The Purpose of Their Conduct
The subordinate clause introduced by ἵνα expresses purpose or result: why should they demonstrate this goodness?
– κοσμῶσιν is the present active subjunctive of κοσμέω, “to adorn,” “to beautify,” “to make attractive.”
– The subject is implied (those being instructed), and the object is τὴν διδασκαλίαν — “the teaching.”
The verb κοσμῶσιν carries the metaphor of making something beautiful or appealing — their behavior is meant to decorate the gospel.
τὴν διδασκαλίαν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ: What Is Being Adorned
This phrase is the object of the verb κοσμῶσιν:
– τὴν διδασκαλίαν — “the doctrine” or “teaching.”
– τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ — “of our Savior God.”
This expression reflects a key Pauline theme: God as Savior, not just in title but in relationship to the church. The behavior of believers becomes a testimony that enhances the credibility and appeal of God’s saving message.
ἐν πᾶσιν: In Every Respect
This short prepositional phrase modifies κοσμῶσιν — “in all things,” “in every way.” It emphasizes the total sphere in which believers are to make the gospel attractive — not selectively, but in every facet of life.
The Gospel, Embellished by Character
Titus 2:10 links the ethical behavior of believers with the aesthetic appeal of the gospel. The present participles (νοσφιζομένους, ἐνδεικνυμένους) call for consistent character, while the subjunctive κοσμῶσιν reveals the purpose: to make the teaching of God shine through lives of beauty and trustworthiness. Greek grammar here is not abstract — it’s ethical, practical, and profoundly missional. Believers become the frame that honors the masterpiece of divine truth.
