What Does Titus 2:15 Mean?
Speak these things, and urge, and bring to light, with all authority. Let no one weigh you lightly.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.THE KEY
Here, authority carries truth into view: the rebuke is the moment what is hidden becomes visible.
THE MEANING
This charge speaks to you now: what you speak, urge, and expose carries the weight of its commission. Another person’s contempt does not erase that charge or determine whether your voice has authority.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that being looked down on means your voice has no authority or right to speak.
THE ROOT
ἔλεγχε
elenche
GROWS FROM
ἐλεγ-
eleg-
Expose or reprove; bring something to conviction by making it plain.
“bring to light” in this verse is elenche. The Greek verb ἐλέγχω (elenchō, expose or reprove) carries more than the sound of a reprimand: it brings a matter into view so it can be answered truthfully. Here the charge moves from speaking and urging into disclosure.
ALSO GROWS
elenchos: proof, evidence, or conviction
ἔλεγχος
This related noun can name evidence, connecting rebuke with what makes a matter clear.
elegmos: reproof or correction
ἐλεγμός
This related noun shows the same exposing action expressed as correction.
ἐπιταγῇ
epitagē
GROWS FROM
τάσσω
tassō
Arrange, appoint, or put in order.
The Greek noun ἐπιταγή (epitagē, command or charge) stands behind “authority” here and belongs to the family of ordering and appointing. The force is carried by a charge entrusted to the speaker.
ALSO GROWS
tassō: arrange, appoint, or assign
τάσσω
Its sense of appointment gives authority the shape of an entrusted place or charge.
epitassō: command or direct
ἐπιτάσσω
This related verb shows the command force contained in the word family.
παρακάλει
parakalei
GROWS FROM
καλέω
kaleō
Call or summon.
The Greek verb παρακαλέω (parakaleō, urge or appeal) also carries the sense of comfort. Its root links urging with a summons: speech that gathers attention and strengthens a person toward response.
ALSO GROWS
paraklēsis: appeal, encouragement, or comfort
παράκλησις
This related noun shows how the same word family can urge someone or strengthen them.
ekklēsia: assembly
ἐκκλησία
This word shares the kaleō root, joining the idea of a call with people gathered into a shared response.
THE PATTERN
Truth’s authority travels through words that speak plainly, urge a response, and expose what is hidden.
Uncovered rebuke is better than hidden love.But the LORD said to me, Do not say, I am a youth, for to all that I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.Herald the word; stand by it in season and out of season; expose, rebuke, and urge, with all slowness to heat and teaching.THE THREAD
But all things being exposed are made visible by the light, for whatever is made visible is light.The word translated “rebuke” in Titus and “reproved” here comes from ἐλέγχω (elenchō, expose or reprove). Ephesians names what that exposure brings: what is brought under scrutiny becomes manifest in the light.
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