Albert Barnes Commentary Titus 3:2

"to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men." — Titus 3:2 (ASV)

To speak evil of no man. The Greek is, "to blaspheme (blasfhmein, compare See Barnes on Matthew 9:3) no one." Doddridge renders it, "Calumniate no one." The idea is that we are not to slander, revile, or defame anyone.

We are not to say anything to anyone, or of anyone, that will do him injury. We are never to utter anything that we know to be false about him, or to give such a coloring to his words or conduct as to do him wrong in any way. We should always so speak to him and of him in such a way that he will have no reason to complain that he is an injured man.

It may be necessary, when we are called to state what we know of his character, to say things that are not at all in his favor, or things that he has said or done that were wrong; but:

1. We should never do this for the purpose of doing him injury, or so as to find pleasure in it; and
2. Where it is necessary to make the statement, it should be made so as to do him no injustice. We should give no improper coloring. We should not exaggerate any circumstance. We should never attempt to express ourselves about his motives, or charge him with bad motives—for we do not know what his motives were. We should state every palliating circumstance of which we have knowledge, and do entire justice to it. We should not make the bad traits of his character prominent, and pass over all that is good. In a word, we should show that we would rather find him to be a good man than a bad man—even if the result should be that we had been mistaken in our opinions. It is better that we should have been mistaken, than that he should be a bad man.

To be no brawlers. See Barnes on 1 Timothy 3:3.

The same Greek word occurs in both places. It is not found elsewhere in the New Testament.

But gentle. The word here used is rendered moderation in Philippians 4:5, patient in 1 Timothy 3:3, and elsewhere gentle. See Barnes on 1 Timothy 3:3.

Showing all meekness to all men. In the reception of injuries. See Barnes on Matthew 5:6 and Ephesians 4:2.