Titus 1

8-9 In verse 7, Paul lists some bad qualities which must not be present in church leaders. Now in verses 8-9, Paul mentions some of the good qualities a church leader must have (see 1 Timothy 3:3). The leader must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught by Paul and the other apostles (see 2 Timothy 3:14). The leader must be able to teach that message to others (2 Timothy 2:2). That message is the word of God, by which the leader is able to instruct others in the way of righteousness and to refute false teaching.

10-11 As in almost all the other churches mentioned in the New Testament, false teachers had also begun teaching in the churches of Crete. Among them were some Jewish believers of the CIRCUMCISION group (verse 10), who were falsely teaching that in order to be saved one had to obey the Jewish law (see Galatians 2:11-14 and comment). Outwardly these false teachers seemed like Christians, but inwardly they were rebellious—that is, they did not heed the truth of the Gospel and they did not submit to the leaders of the church. They taught only in order to get money from the gullible people who believed their teaching (verse 11). These false teachers must be silenced, says Paul.

12 Paul here quotes something written by one of Crete’s famous philosophers, whom the Cretans themselves regarded as a prophet. Even their own prophet had called the Cretans liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons!

13-14 Paul affirms that what this prophet has written about the Cretans is indeed true. Therefore, Paul instructs Titus to rebuke them (the Cretan believers) sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and avoid following false teaching. On occasion it is necessary to rebuke some people sharply; but usually it is best to admonish them gently. The church leader rebukes people not to hurt them but to help them. He does it for their good, not for their harm (see 2 Timothy 2:24-25; 4:2 and comments).

15 For those who are inwardly pure, all things—food, marriage, etc.—are also pure (see 1 Timothy 4:3-4 and comment). Purity comes from within us; outward things such as food do not make us impure (see Mark 7:15-23 and comment).

Similarly, if a man is inwardly impure, he will remain impure no matter how much he washes himself outwardly. Neither outward washing nor any other religious ritual or sacrifice can ever make a man’s heart pure (Matthew 23:25-26; Hebrews 10:14,11).

Those who are impure in heart make everything they do impure. If a man’s motives are impure, his actions will also be impure. Not only are the minds of such people impure, but their consciences are corrupted as well. The man whose conscience has been corrupted cannot hear God; he cannot discern the truth. Therefore, no matter what he does it will be impure and corrupt (see 1 Timothy 4:2 and comment).

16 These false teachers and evildoers say they know God, but by their actions they deny him (see Matthew 7:21; Mark 7:6-7; Romans 1:21-22 and comments). Such hypocrites are detestable in God’s sight; they are unfit for any good work.