Titus 1:13
Verse
Context
Correcting False Teachers
12As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This witness is true - What Epimenides said of them nearly 600 years before continued still to be true. Their original character had undergone no moral change. Rebuke them sharply - Αποτομως· Cuttingly, severely; show no indulgence to persons guilty of such crimes. That they may be sound in the faith - That they may receive the incorrupt doctrine, and illustrate it by a holy and useful life.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
This witness--"This testimony (though coming from a Cretan) is true." sharply--Gentleness would not reclaim so perverse offenders. that they--that those seduced by the false teachers may be brought back to soundness in the faith. Their malady is strifes about words and questions (Tit 3:9; Ti1 6:4).
John Gill Bible Commentary
This witness is true,.... The apostle confirms what the poet had said; he knew it to be fact from his own experience, and by the observation he had made when in the island: he does not say, that all that Epimenides had said, in the poem referred to, was true; but this character, which he had given of the Cretians, and which he cites, and uses to a good purpose; from whence it may be observed, that the writings of the Heathen poets may be read with profit, and be used to advantage, if carefully and prudently attended to; for what is truth, let it come from whom, or by what means it will, ought to be received. Wherefore rebuke them sharply: not merely upon the testimony of the poet, but upon the confirmation of it by the apostle; and not because of these general and national characters, but because these things personally and particularly belonged to the persons before described; whom the apostle would have rebuked, both for their bad principles, teaching things that they ought not; and for their immoralities, their lying and deceit, their intemperance, luxury, and idleness, things very unbecoming the Christian name; and therefore since their offences were of an heinous nature, and they lived in them, and were hardened and obstinate, and were like to have a bad influence on others, they must be rebuked "sharply": rebukes ought to be given according to the nature of offences, and the circumstances of them, and the offenders; some are to be given privately, others publicly; some should be reproved with gentleness and meekness, and be used in a tender and compassionate way; others more roughly, though never in a wrathful and passionate manner, yet with some degree of severity, at least with great plainness and faithfulness; laying open the nature of the evils guilty of in all their aggravated circumstances, without sparing them in the least; doing, as surgeons do by wounds, though they take the knife, and use it gently, yet cut deep, to the quick, and go to the bottom of the wound, and lay it open: and so the phrase may be rendered here, "rebuke them cuttingly"; cut them to the quick, and spare them not; deal not with them as Eli with his sons, Sa1 2:23 but speak out, and expose their crimes, severely reprove them, that others may fear: and that they may be sound in the faith; that they may be recovered from their errors, to the acknowledgment of the truth; that they may receive the sound doctrine of faith, the wholesome words of Christ, and speak the things which become them, and use sound speech, which cannot be condemned; and that they may be turned from their evil practices, and appear to be sound, as in the doctrine, so in the grace of faith; or that that by their works may appear to be genuine, true, and unfeigned; and that they may be strong and robust, hale and healthful, and not weak and sickly in the profession of their faith. Rebukes being to persons infected with bad principles and practices, like physic to sickly constitutions, a means of removing the causes of disorder; and in rebukes, admonitions, and censures, this always ought to be the end proposed, the good of the persons rebuked, admonished, and censured.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:13 This is true: See study note on 1:12. • Being strong in the faith is here defined as rejecting false teachings (cp. 1:9).
Titus 1:13
Correcting False Teachers
12As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Contending for the Faith
By Jack Hudson85339:43FaithACT 20:291TI 5:202TI 4:2TIT 1:10TIT 1:13JUD 1:3In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of setting a good example and maintaining faith in God. He uses the analogy of picking up an apple to illustrate the simplicity of recognizing truth. The preacher also discusses the influence of what we see and hear on our beliefs and actions, particularly in the context of education and peer influence. He strongly condemns immoral behavior and warns against the negative consequences it can have on individuals and society. Throughout the sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need to stand against evil and uphold the standards of faith.
Inspiration of God's Word Versus Tradition"
By A.W. Tozer0Inspiration of ScriptureFreedom from TraditionTIT 1:13A.W. Tozer emphasizes the conflict between the inspiration of God's Word and human traditions, particularly in the context of early Christianity where Jewish traditions threatened to overshadow the gospel. He explains how the early church faced challenges from Jewish Christians who insisted on adhering to the oral laws and traditions, which often contradicted the teachings of Christ. Tozer argues that true righteousness comes from faith and the heart, rather than mere adherence to ceremonial laws. He warns against allowing traditions to dictate one's relationship with God, stressing that the motive behind actions is what truly matters. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a return to the purity of the gospel, free from the burdens of human traditions.
Sound in the Faith
By H.J. Vine01TI 1:101TI 6:32TI 1:7TIT 1:13TIT 2:8H.J. Vine preaches about the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine, words, speech, mind, and faith, emphasizing the need to reject unwholesome teachings and cling to the truth as revealed in Christ Jesus. He warns against becoming familiar with false doctrines and losing the discernment imparted by the Holy Spirit, urging believers to remain steadfast in the foundational truths of the Gospel. The epistles of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus highlight the significance of being 'sound' in all aspects of faith to avoid being led astray by deceptive teachings and to uphold the purity of the Gospel message.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This witness is true - What Epimenides said of them nearly 600 years before continued still to be true. Their original character had undergone no moral change. Rebuke them sharply - Αποτομως· Cuttingly, severely; show no indulgence to persons guilty of such crimes. That they may be sound in the faith - That they may receive the incorrupt doctrine, and illustrate it by a holy and useful life.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
This witness--"This testimony (though coming from a Cretan) is true." sharply--Gentleness would not reclaim so perverse offenders. that they--that those seduced by the false teachers may be brought back to soundness in the faith. Their malady is strifes about words and questions (Tit 3:9; Ti1 6:4).
John Gill Bible Commentary
This witness is true,.... The apostle confirms what the poet had said; he knew it to be fact from his own experience, and by the observation he had made when in the island: he does not say, that all that Epimenides had said, in the poem referred to, was true; but this character, which he had given of the Cretians, and which he cites, and uses to a good purpose; from whence it may be observed, that the writings of the Heathen poets may be read with profit, and be used to advantage, if carefully and prudently attended to; for what is truth, let it come from whom, or by what means it will, ought to be received. Wherefore rebuke them sharply: not merely upon the testimony of the poet, but upon the confirmation of it by the apostle; and not because of these general and national characters, but because these things personally and particularly belonged to the persons before described; whom the apostle would have rebuked, both for their bad principles, teaching things that they ought not; and for their immoralities, their lying and deceit, their intemperance, luxury, and idleness, things very unbecoming the Christian name; and therefore since their offences were of an heinous nature, and they lived in them, and were hardened and obstinate, and were like to have a bad influence on others, they must be rebuked "sharply": rebukes ought to be given according to the nature of offences, and the circumstances of them, and the offenders; some are to be given privately, others publicly; some should be reproved with gentleness and meekness, and be used in a tender and compassionate way; others more roughly, though never in a wrathful and passionate manner, yet with some degree of severity, at least with great plainness and faithfulness; laying open the nature of the evils guilty of in all their aggravated circumstances, without sparing them in the least; doing, as surgeons do by wounds, though they take the knife, and use it gently, yet cut deep, to the quick, and go to the bottom of the wound, and lay it open: and so the phrase may be rendered here, "rebuke them cuttingly"; cut them to the quick, and spare them not; deal not with them as Eli with his sons, Sa1 2:23 but speak out, and expose their crimes, severely reprove them, that others may fear: and that they may be sound in the faith; that they may be recovered from their errors, to the acknowledgment of the truth; that they may receive the sound doctrine of faith, the wholesome words of Christ, and speak the things which become them, and use sound speech, which cannot be condemned; and that they may be turned from their evil practices, and appear to be sound, as in the doctrine, so in the grace of faith; or that that by their works may appear to be genuine, true, and unfeigned; and that they may be strong and robust, hale and healthful, and not weak and sickly in the profession of their faith. Rebukes being to persons infected with bad principles and practices, like physic to sickly constitutions, a means of removing the causes of disorder; and in rebukes, admonitions, and censures, this always ought to be the end proposed, the good of the persons rebuked, admonished, and censured.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:13 This is true: See study note on 1:12. • Being strong in the faith is here defined as rejecting false teachings (cp. 1:9).