Titus 1:10-16
10 For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”
Verse 10: Paul acknowledges the presence of rebellious individuals who promote meaningless talk and deception, particularly those who adhere to the circumcision group. These individuals were likely clinging to Old Covenant practices and legalistic tendencies, rather than fully embracing the freedom and grace found in the New Covenant.
Verse 11: Paul urges Titus to silence these individuals who are causing disruption and teaching false doctrines for personal gain. Paul is emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and the need to guard against teachings that distort the message of God’s grace and promote self-interest. Anything that violates the New Covenant is not considered sound doctrine in Paul’s mind. These false teachers must be silenced so as to not mislead believers.
Verse 12: Paul quotes a Cretan prophet to highlight the negative reputation of the people in Crete. This quote serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the need for the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of believers. Transformation can only come through the grace of God.
Verse 13: Paul affirms the truth of the quote and encourages Titus to rebuke these false teachers sharply, with the goal of restoring them to soundness in the faith. Notice that Paul was not passive and did not avoid rebuke. However, rebuke should be done with love and a desire for restoration, guiding individuals back to the truth of God’s grace and the freedom found in Christ.
Verse 14: Paul emphasizes the importance of not being swayed by Jewish myths or human commands that reject the truth of the gospel. Paul’s instruction highlights the need for believers to stay grounded in the truth of the gospel and not be led astray by legalistic teachings or human traditions. Believers can focus on the finished work of Christ and the freedom we have in him, rather than getting caught up in religious rituals or man-made rules.
Verse 15: Paul contrasts the perspectives of the pure and the corrupted. Through the cleansing work of Christ, believers have been made pure. As a result, they can approach all things with a pure perspective, understanding that their identity in Christ and the grace they have received make all things pure.
Verse 16: Paul describes the actions of those who claim to know God but deny him through their behavior. True knowledge of God is not merely intellectual, but transformative. Believers, through their union with Christ, have been made fit for every good work and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in obedience to God.