Purloining
Definition and Biblical Usage
Purloining means to steal, pilfer, or secretly take something for oneself. The word comes from the Anglo-French "purloigner," meaning "to carry away" or literally "to put far away." In the King James Version, it appears in Titus 2:10, where Paul instructs bondservants: "Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."
The underlying Greek word is "nosphizomai," which means "to set apart for oneself" or "to misappropriate." It specifically describes the kind of theft committed by someone who has access to another person's property through their position, making it closer to embezzlement or pilfering than to outright robbery.
The Same Word in Acts 5
The same Greek word "nosphizomai" appears in the dramatic account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:2-3. When they sold a piece of property and claimed to give the full amount to the apostles while secretly keeping back a portion, Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?" The word translated "keep back" is the same root as "purloining" in Titus 2:10. This connection highlights the seriousness with which Scripture treats secret misappropriation.
Context in Titus
Paul's instruction against purloining comes within a section of practical ethical teaching directed at various groups within the church. In Titus 2:9-10, he specifically addresses bondservants (slaves), urging them to be subject to their masters, to be pleasing and not argumentative, and to demonstrate complete faithfulness rather than stealing.
The context is significant because household slaves in the Roman world had regular access to their master's property, food, and finances. The temptation to skim small amounts was constant and often expected. Paul challenges Christian slaves to a higher standard, not merely out of duty to their earthly masters, but because their behavior reflects on the gospel itself.
Adorning the Doctrine
Paul's remarkable conclusion in Titus 2:10 is that faithful conduct, including refraining from purloining, serves to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." The word "adorn" (Greek: "kosmeo") means to make beautiful or attractive. Paul is teaching that the everyday behavior of believers, even those in the most humble circumstances, can make the Christian message beautiful and compelling to observers.
This principle transforms mundane ethical behavior into an act of witness. When a slave refuses to steal despite the opportunity, or when any believer demonstrates integrity in handling others' property, the gospel is made visible and attractive.
The Broader Biblical Ethic of Honesty
The prohibition against purloining connects to the eighth commandment: "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). Scripture consistently condemns all forms of dishonest gain, from outright theft (Leviticus 19:11) to dishonest business practices (Proverbs 11:1) to withholding wages from workers (James 5:4). The specific focus on purloining addresses the subtle, incremental dishonesty that can characterize those entrusted with others' resources.
Significance for Bible Readers
While the word "purloining" has fallen out of common usage, the behavior it describes remains thoroughly modern. Embezzlement, expense account padding, time theft, and other forms of workplace dishonesty are contemporary expressions of the same sin. Paul's instruction reminds believers that integrity in handling others' property is not merely a matter of personal ethics but a powerful testimony to the transforming power of the gospel.
Biblical Context
Purloining appears in Titus 2:10 (KJV) where Paul instructs bondservants not to steal from their masters. The same Greek word 'nosphizomai' appears in Acts 5:2-3 describing Ananias and Sapphira's secret misappropriation. The teaching is part of Paul's practical ethical instruction for the church in Crete.
Theological Significance
Paul connects the prohibition against purloining to the attractiveness of the gospel: faithful conduct 'adorns the doctrine of God.' This transforms everyday honesty into an act of witness, teaching that integrity in small matters has profound spiritual significance and reflects the character of God Himself.
Historical Background
In the Roman world, household slaves managed their masters' property and finances. Petty theft by slaves was common and often difficult to detect. The Greek word 'nosphizomai' was particularly associated with misappropriation by those in trusted positions. Paul's instruction addressed a real and widespread problem in first-century Mediterranean households.