John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Sound speech that cannot be condemned , etc.] In the public ministry, the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus should be used, and the doctrines of the Gospel be expressed, as near as can be, in the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, and not in the enticing words of man's wisdom; such speech or language should be chosen, that is plain, easy, and acceptable, and conveys just ideas of things; and which being agreeable to the Scriptures of truth, and the analogy of faith, cannot be justly found fault with: or this may refer to private conversation, in which no rotten speech, or corrupt communication should proceed out of the mouth; nothing but what is pure, sound, graceful, and edifying; no filthiness, nor foolish talking and jesting, which are not convenient, and are rightly condemned. That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed : that is, that he who is on the other side of the question, who opposes the truths of the Gospel, and is an adversary to them; whether he be an Heathen philosopher, or a Jewish Rabbi, or a judaizing teacher, or an heretical man, under the Christian name, may be put to shame and confusion; partly on account of that uncorruptness in doctrine and conversation, which he observes in the true and faithful ministers of the word, and is wanting in himself; and so being convinced, may be converted and brought to repentance, and to the acknowledgment of the truth; and partly on the account of the false charges and accusations brought by him against such: having no evil thing to say of you ; whether with respect to doctrine or practice. The Vulgate Latin version, and all the Oriental versions, read us, instead of you. The whole body is reproached for the sake of one or more.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Old disciples of Christ must behave in every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith work by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God' sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for ever word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all mus be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expos themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young me are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly calle upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by prid than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavour must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thin uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth whic would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of!
Greek Textus Receptus
λογον 3056 N-ASM υγιη 5199 A-ASM ακαταγνωστον 176 A-ASM ινα 2443 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM εξ 1537 PREP εναντιας 1727 A-GSF εντραπη 1788 5652 V-2APS-3S μηδεν 3367 A-ASN εχων 2192 5723 V-PAP-NSM περι 4012 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP λεγειν 3004 5721 V-PAN φαυλον 5337 A-ASN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. Sound speech (logon ugih). Ugihv sound, only here in Pastorals. The usual form is the participle, as uJgiainontwn logwn, 2 Tim. i. 13; uJgiainousi logoiv, 1 Tim. vi. 3.That cannot, be condemned (akatagnwston). N.T.o . o Class. See 2 Macc. iv. 47.
He that is of the contrary part (o ex enantiav). The phrase N.T.o . See Mark. xv. 39. The heathen opposer is meant. Comp. blasphemed, verse 5, and 1 Tim. vi. 1. Enantiov contrary, in Paul only 1 Thessalonians ii. 15.
May be ashamed (entraph). Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 1 Corinthians iv. 14; 2 Thess. iii. 14, see notes on both, and on Matt. xxi. 37.
Evil thing (faulon). Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, Rom. ix. 11; 2 Corinthians v. 10. See on John iii. 20.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:8 {Sound} (hugie, Attic usually hugia in accusative singular), elsewhere in Pastorals participle hugianwn (verse #1). {That cannot be condemned} (akatagnwston). Only N.T. example (verbal, a privative and katagn"stos) and in IV Macc. 4:47. Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, p. 200) quotes it from an inscription and the adverb from a papyrus. {He that is of the contrary part} (ho ex enantias). "The one on the opposite side" (your opponent). Cf. verse #9; 1Ti 5:14. {May be ashamed} (hina entrapei). Final clause with hina and second aorist passive subjunctive of entrepw, to turn, in middle and passive to turn one on himself and so be ashamed (to blush) as in #2Th 3:14; 1Co 4:14. this sense in the papyri. {Evil} (faulon). Old word, easy (easy morals), worthless; bad, as in #2Co 5:10.
