Dignified (4587) (semnotes from semnós = venerable) refers to decency, gravity, venerableness ( calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments; conveying an impression of aged goodness and benevolence), dignity and a seriousness that is fixed on God and honors whatever honors Him.
Semnotes -3x in 3v in NASB -1Ti 2:2; 3:4; Titus 2:7
Vine correctly notes that semnotes
"is a necessary characteristic of the life and conduct of Christians" The significance of the Greek word is that of gravity combined with dignity, with freedom alike from moroseness and from levity. A life which exhibits these qualities gives a consistent witness to the person and name of Christ, and to the truth and validity of the gospel." (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson)
Semnotes could be translated “moral earnestness” and refers to moral dignity and holy behavior before men. It describes a serious and worthy conduct that earns reverence and respect. It describes that behavior which is befitting and implies a measure of dignity leading to respect.
Semnotes is
a manner or mode of behavior that indicates one is above what is ordinary and therefore worthy of special respect. Of human beings: dignity, seriousness, probity (Ed note: adherence to the highest principles and ideal indicating uprightness of character or action) (Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature)
Strong/Thayer Lexicon describes semnotes as the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles it to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity.
The exhortation to be dignified enjoins a realization of the dignity and solemnity attaching to the handling of the Word of God. It includes the idea of living one's life so as to invite, attract and inspire reverence, honor and respect, ultimately of God and His glorious gospel. Jesus gives a parallel thought exhorting believers to
Let (their) light shine before men in such a way that they may see (their) good works, and glorify (their) Father Who is in heaven. (Mt 5:16-note)
Semnotes implies that one should be able to distinguish between that which is important and that which is trivial.
Paul uses this word twice in his first letter to Timothy writing that we should pray
for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1Ti 2:2)
Paul writes that the elder
must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (1Ti 3:4)
Aristotle defined semnótes as the average of a virtue that lies between the extremes of arrogance on one hand and attempting to please everyone on the other hand. Therefore, semnótes stands between caring to please nobody and endeavoring at all costs to please everybody. It is the ability not only to perform well one's duties as a citizen, but also to adhere to the highest principles and ideals of earth and heaven, and thus drawing respect and approval.
Semnotes describes the man who carries himself with the perfect blend of dignity and courtesy, independence and humility to his fellowmen. The word avoids the suggestion of sternness yet retains the idea of natural respect.
Titus 2:7a Works Witness - The considerate spirit and quiet good works of believers in Jesus Christ can make a tremendous impact on those who do not believe in Him. A little kindness speaks louder to some than fiery preaching.
A small congregation of believers in Japan put this principle into practice. They were planning to build a sanctuary. After the architect completed the plans, they went to all the neighbors, showed them the blueprints, and asked if anyone had any objections. No one did.
A few months later, however, before construction began, they heard that one man did have some concerns. They paid him a second visit and discovered he was worried that the structure would block the sunlight coming into his yard. Did they argue? No. Did they complain because he didn't speak out earlier? No. The church board went back to the architect and asked for a revision. At quite some additional expense, he redesigned the building with a lower roof. The surprised neighbor was pleased that he would not lose his sunlight.
In our hard-driving, rights-centered world, kind consideration toward others seems out of place. But it's always appropriate for us as Christians (Titus 2). And it can deliver a powerful witness. --D C Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
It is not always words galore
Nor brilliancy of speech
That opens wide the gospel door
Within the sinner's reach. --Rotz
A Christian is a living sermon.
Titus 2:8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame (3SAPS), having (PAPMSN) nothing bad to say (PAN) about us. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: logon hugie akatagnoston, hina o ex enantiax entrape (3SAPS) meden echon (PAPMSN) legein (PAN) peri hemon phaulon
Amplified: And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV: Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
NLT: Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: Our speech should be unaffected and logical, so that your opponent may feel ashamed at finding nothing in which to pick holes. (Phillips: Touchstone)
TLB: Your conversation should be so sensible and logical that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed of himself because there won’t be anything to criticize in anything you say!
Wuest: sound speech which cannot be censured, in order that the one who is an opponent may be ashamed, not having one evil thing to be saying concerning us. (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: discourse sound, irreprehensible, that he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning you.
SOUND IN SPEECH WHICH IS BEYOND REPROACH: logon hugie akatagnôston: (Mk12:17; 12:28, 12:32, 12:34 1Ti6:3, Eph4:29, Col4:6)
And when you speak, speak the truth so that you cannot be criticized (ICB)
sound speech that cannot be censured (NRSV)
Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned (GWT)
sound speech, that cannot be condemned (ASV)
and healthy language which no one can censure (Weymouth)
The sound word that can not be blamed (DRA)
Saying true and right words, against which no protest may be made (BBE)
Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized (NLT)
And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure (Amp)
Our speech should be unaffected and logical (Phillips)
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)