8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
8 sound speech that cannot be condemned,
“Speech” here refers to both public and private discourse. Daily conversation is the issue here.
Titus was to be sound in speech. Once again, the word “sound” means healthy or whole. Our talk can cast aspersion on our God. Young men must watch their mouths.
that one who is an opponent
This is the third of four purpose clauses in verses 1 to 10. Opponents are non-Christians who want to diminish the reality of Christianity. They wait to catch Christians in some inconsistency.
may be ashamed,
The purpose of healthy speech is to put to shame antagonists of Christianity. The godly life of Titus would contradict the accusations of these critics (1:10).
Titus was to live his life so that no legitimate challenge to his integrity could come from his antagonists. If he was to do that, then his adversaries would suffer loss of credibility. They would lose public respect from society.
having nothing evil to say of you.
Those who opposed Christianity would be embarrassed because their attack on Christianity was not justified. They would have no reason to criticize Titus’s testimony.
PRINCIPLE:
We are to watch what we say in such a way that our critics cannot criticize our integrity.
APPLICATION:
We need to watch our conversations. God wants us to speak in ways that honor Him. Once we say something, no matter how many times we apologize we cannot take it back.
Ep 4: 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
