Lexical Summary epistomizó: To silence, to stop the mouth Original Word: ἐπιστομίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance silenceFrom epi and stoma; to put something over the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) to silence -- stop mouths. see GREEK epi see GREEK stoma NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and stoma Definition to stop the mouth NASB Translation silenced (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1993: ἐπιστομίζωἐπιστομίζω; (στόμα); properly, to bridle or stop up the mouth; metaphorically, to stop the mouth, reduce to silence: Titus 1:11. (Plato, Gorgias, p. 482 e.; Demosthenes 85, 4; often in Plutarch, and Lucian.) Topical Lexicon Overview of the Verb’s SignificanceStrong’s Greek 1993 underlines an urgent pastoral task: bringing an end to speech that threatens the well-being of Christ’s people. The single New Testament occurrence, Titus 1:11, places the verb at the heart of Paul’s instructions to Titus on the island of Crete, where deceptive teachers were “upsetting whole households.” The imagery evokes forcibly shutting a mouth, like placing a muzzle on an unruly animal, so that destructive words can no longer spread. Usage in the New Testament Titus 1:11 “They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole households by teaching things they should not, for the sake of dishonest gain.” Here the apostle commands action, not merely advice. The present infinitive “to silence” conveys continuous, determined effort. The immediate context (Titus 1:10–16) identifies the offenders as “rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception,” especially those exploiting Jewish cultural influence (“those of the circumcision”). Paul links their motives to profit and labels their teaching “detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.” Silencing them is therefore protective, pastoral work designed to preserve households and churches from doctrinal infection. Historical Background in Crete Crete’s reputation for moral laxity (“Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons”—Titus 1:12) created fertile soil for religious opportunists. The new churches needed elders (Titus 1:5-9) capable of both exhorting in sound doctrine and rebuking those who oppose it. The mandate to “silence” arises directly from this pastoral matrix: leadership must confront error swiftly so that fledgling congregations are not destabilized. This fits the wider Pastoral Epistles, where guarding “the sound teaching” (1 Timothy 1:3-11; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 1:13-14) is a central theme. Theological Significance 1. Protection of the Flock Scripture consistently presents God’s shepherds as guardians (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Peter 5:2-3). Silencing false teachers echoes Jesus’ description of hired hands who abandon sheep to wolves, contrasted with the Good Shepherd who lays down His life (John 10:11-13). 2. Upholding Truth for God’s Glory Truth and love are never opposed in the New Testament; both safeguard the gospel’s integrity (Ephesians 4:15). Stopping false mouths is not censorship born of fear but devotion to the glory of God whose gospel must remain uncorrupted. 3. Spiritual Warfare Error is portrayed as a weapon wielded by the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). The verb therefore participates in the larger spiritual struggle in which believers “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Practical and Pastoral Application • Discernment: Leaders today must evaluate teaching by Scripture’s standard, recognizing that appealing personalities or cultural credentials can mask deception. Related Biblical Principles Deuteronomy 25:4 provides the background image of muzzling an ox—an act forbidden in the law when the animal was laboring. Paul later cites this verse regarding elders’ remuneration (1 Timothy 5:18). The contrast is striking: faithful teachers must not be muzzled when feeding the flock, but false teachers must be. Similar concern for speech control appears in: Conclusion Strong’s Greek 1993 calls the church to active stewardship of its message. The single command in Titus reverberates throughout Scripture’s call to preserve sound doctrine, protect God’s people, and promote the glory of Christ. When falsehood threatens, faithful shepherds must not hesitate: “They must be silenced.” Forms and Transliterations επεστράτευσαν επιστομιζειν επιστομίζειν ἐπιστομίζειν επιστρατεύσαι epistomizein epistomízeinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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