Sound (5199) (hugies [word study] which is the root of hugiaino [word study]; English = hygiene, hygienic) literally refers to being physically (and mentally) well or sound (emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction), healthy (implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease). Hugies describes that which balanced and ordered throughout. Hugies was used figuratively to describe speech which was uncorrupted, correct, accurate, balanced and ordered throughout, in addition to speech which is useful and beneficial. Health implies a proper balance of the whole. The Apocrypha declares that Better is the poor, being sound (hugies) and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body. (The Apocrypha: KJV: Sir 30:14) The Jewish historian Josephus used hugies and related words (e.g., hugiaino) for rational thought and action. Hugies is used 5 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Lev. 13:10, 15, 16; Jos. 10:21; Isa. 38:21), for example Isaiah said... Let them take a cake of figs, and apply it to the boil, that he may recover (LXX = hugies = well, healthy) (Isaiah 38:21) Hugies is used 12 times in the NT (2x Mt; 1x Mk; 7x Jn; 1x Acts; 1x Titus) Matthew 12:13 Then He said to the man (on the Sabbath Jesus said to the man with the withered hand), "Stretch out your hand!" And he stretched it out, and it was restored to normal (to health = hugies, as sound as), like the other. Matthew 15:31 so that the multitude marveled as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Mark 3:5 And after looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 5:34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." Luke 6:10 And after looking around at them all, He said to him, "Stretch out your hand!" And he did so; and his hand was restored. John 5:4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" John 5:9 And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. John 5:11 But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Take up your pallet and walk.'" John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you." John 5:15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. John 7:23 "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath that the Law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-- by this name this man stands here before you in good health. Titus 2:8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. From a review of all the NT uses above, one observes that most of the gospel uses of hugies reflect the literal meaning. Matthew relates the story of a woman who had hemorrhaged for 12 years, spent all her money with physicians without relief, but when she touched Jesus' garment, immediately experienced drying up of her blood flow and healing from her affliction. Jesus queried His disciples regarding who had touched His garment and then the woman told Him the whole truth to which He replied Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be (continually) healed (or whole = hugies) of your affliction. (Mk 5:34) Hiebert comments that His healing power did not work automatically, like a battery discharging its power when accidentally short-circuited. Jesus perceived in Himself, without any external suggestion, the significance of the woman’s touch, and, actively willing to honor her faith, He was immediately conscious of His healing power going toward her. His power, the inherent ability to perform, was always under the control of His conscious volition. His consciousness of that power going forth from Him suggests that His healing ministries cost Jesus much spiritual energy. It would explain why He found it necessary at times to escape the crowds to find time for refreshing through fellowship with the Father. This word group has been used repeatedly in this short epistle and refers here to speech which is healthy; whole and doctrinally sound. One gauge of "sound" speech is the impact it has on the hearers. Are they edified? Paul exhorted the Ephesians to Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ep 4:29-note) To the Colossians he wrote Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." (Col 4:6-note) Application: Does my speech cause others to stumble? Is there a cause for reproach? W E Vine notes that... sound speech involves the avoidance of fanciful interpretations and of everything that would bring the teaching into justifiable criticism. The word rendered “sound” denotes healthful, and in this sense is frequently rendered “whole.” With this in view the words spoken should be used thoughtfully and earnestly and in accordance with Scripture. The teacher should never expose himself to contempt or to the charge of being presumptuous." (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos) Calvin does not associate this "sound" speech necessarily with teaching Sound speech” relates (in my opinion) to ordinary life and familiar conversation; for it would be absurd to interpret it as relating to public instruction, since he only wishes that Titus, both in his actions and in his words, shall lead a life that agrees with his preaching. He therefore enjoins that his words shall be pure and free from all corruption. Clarke on the other hand takes the opposite view writing that this speech refers to Sound or healing doctrine. Human nature is in a state of disease; and the doctrine of the Gospel is calculated to remove the disease, and restore all to perfect health and soundness. All false doctrines leave men under the influence of this spiritual disease; the unadulterated doctrine of the Gospel alone can heal men. MacArthur says The issue here is not doctrine or theology but conversation, day by day speech. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_26-10.htm#Sound%20hugies