“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
My Notes
What Does Titus 3:2 Mean?
Paul gives Titus a list of social virtues for believers: speak evil of no one, be no brawlers, be gentle, show all meekness to all people. Every instruction is about how you treat others — especially people you might naturally oppose.
"Speak evil of no man" (mēdena blasphēmeō) means don't slander anyone. The word blasphēmeō is the same word used for blaspheming God — the gravity of the language equates slandering a person with slandering the divine. Destructive speech about anyone is treated with the same seriousness as destructive speech about God.
"To all men" is the qualifier that makes every instruction radical. Not just to Christians. Not just to friendly people. All. The gentleness and meekness extend to everyone — including the people who don't deserve it. The universal scope is the challenge.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Whose name would you need to stop speaking evil about if you took this verse seriously?
- 2.Does knowing that 'speak evil' uses the same word as 'blasphemy' change the weight of your words about others?
- 3.How do you show meekness to 'all men' — including the ones who are hostile to you?
- 4.Where is the Spirit the only explanation for the gentleness this verse requires?
Devotional
Speak evil of no one. No one. Not the politician you despise. Not the coworker who wronged you. Not the person whose theology offends you. No one.
Paul's instruction to Titus is four items long and every item is about restraint: don't slander, don't brawl, be gentle, show meekness. In a culture that valued strength and honored sharp speech, Paul prescribes softness. Not weakness — gentleness. Not passivity — meekness. The strength to be kind to people who aren't kind back.
The word for "speak evil" is blasphēmeō — the same word used for blasphemy against God. Paul linguistically equates slandering a person with slandering the divine. That should stop you mid-sentence next time you're tempted to tear someone down. The same gravity that applies to speaking against God applies to speaking against His image-bearers.
"To all men" — this is the kicker. Not all Christians. Not all friends. All men. Every human being receives your gentleness and meekness. The hostile neighbor. The difficult family member. The person whose social media posts make your blood boil. All.
This isn't natural. Gentleness to all is supernatural. Meekness to all requires a power source that human nature doesn't provide. The only way to sustain this standard is the Spirit — which is exactly why it's listed after the salvation passage (verses 4-7). You were saved by grace, renewed by the Spirit, and now you're equipped to be gentle to everyone.
Including the people who don't deserve it. Especially them.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
To speak evil of no man,.... As not of one another, so not of the men of the world, to the prejudice of their names and…
To speak evil of no man - Greek, “to blaspheme (βλασφημεῖν blasphēmein, compare the notes at Mat 9:3) no one.”…
To speak evil of no man - Μηδενα βλασφημειν· To blaspheme no person, to reproach none, to speak nothing to any man's…
Here is the fourth thing in the matter of the epistle. The apostle had directed Titus in reference to the particular and…
to speak evil of noman] Cf. 1Ti 1:20; 1Ti 6:1; Tit 2:5. In the first place used absolutely -to blaspheme," as Act 26:11,…
Cross References
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