Titus 1:14-16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:15

Verse 15 15To the pure all things indeed are pure He glances at one class of fabulous opinions; for the choice of the kinds of food, (such as was temporarily enjoined by Moses,) together with purifications and washings, were insisted on as being still necessary, and they even made holiness to consist almost wholly in these minute observances. How dangerous to the Church this was, we have already explained. First, a snare of bondage was laid on the consciences; and next, ignorant persons, bound... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:16

Verse 16 16They profess that they know God He treats those persons as they deserve; for hypocrites, who give their whole attention to minute observances, despise fearlessly what constitutes the chief part of the Christian life. The consequence is, that they display their vanity, while contempt of God is manifested in open crimes. And this is what Paul means; that they who wish to be seen abstaining from one kind of food — indulge in wantonness and rebellion, as if they had shaken of the yoke;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:1-16

The ministry of character. The pastoral Epistles, and this chapter in particular, bring prominently before us the Christian ministry as of commanding importance in the scheme of Christianity. Christianity, the sum and substance of Christian doctrine, was to be diffused among all nations; and the great instrument for maintaining it in efficiency and power was to be the ministry. But in describing the ministerial qualifications the apostle lays so much stress upon the personal character of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:10-14

The sins of the sect and the sins of the tribe. "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision," etc. In the preceding verses Paul stated one purpose for which he left Titus in Crete, viz. to set in order "the things that are wanting," and to ordain elders in every city. He recognized at once, not only the importance of order in the new community, but also the importance of appointing men who, intellectually and morally, were qualified... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:13-14

The necessity of godly rebuke. At this point the apostle drops the reference to bishops, and lays upon Titus himself the duty of applying the proper remedy. I. THE UTILITY OF REBUKE . "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith." The nature of the people demanded sharp treatment. "Sharpness and severity are but the other side of love itself, when the wounds can only be healed by cutting." Ministers are sent to give rebuke ( Jeremiah 44:4 ; Micah 3:8... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:14

Who for that, A.V.; turn away for turn, A.V. Jewish fables (see 1 Timothy 1:4 ; 1 Timothy 4:7 ; 2 Timothy 4:4 , where the Jewish origin of the fables is implied, though not so distinctly stated as here). Commandments of men ( ἐντολαῖς ἀνθρώπων ); so in Colossians 2:22 the apostle speaks of the precepts "touch not," "taste not" (originating with the Judaizing teachers), as τὰ ἐντάλματα καὶ διδασκαλίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων (see following note). Turning away from ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:15

To for unto, A.V. (twice); nothing is for is nothing, A.V.; both for even, A.V.; their conscience for conscience, A.V.; are for is, A.V. To the pure, etc. This allusion shows dearly that the "commandments of men," here condemned, are of the same kind as those referred to in the above-quoted passage in the Colossians. We learn also from Romans 14:1-23 .; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 .; and elsewhere, what were the kind of questions which agitated the Judaizing Christians. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:15

A great counter-Principle against this ascetic tendency. "Unto the pure all things are pure: but to the defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled." I. THE PRIVILEGES OF THE PURE . 1. The pure are not those ceremonially pure, but those 2. Their privilege, purchased by the blood of Christ, was the lawful liberty of using all meats under the gospel which were forbidden by the ceremonial law. 3. The apostle elsewhere... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:15

Pure-heartedness. "Unto the pure all things are pure." The gospel centers morality as well as religion in the heart. Men of corrupt tastes cannot have correct morals, because a man may sin against himself as well as against society. An impure heart makes an impure world of its own within; and that, if it hurts none else, hurts the man himself, wrongs his own soul. Here we see that the eye sees what it wishes to see, or what the inward taste desires to see. A pure man does not under stand... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:15

Inner defilement. "But unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." This is the worst Nemesis of evil; it hurts the man. We can injure the physical senses—the eye, the ear; so we can injure the mind and the moral senses. I. THE DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTER . Why this couplet? "Defiled and unbelieving" seems at first a strange combination of ideas. Not so. To defile is to march off—to file away from. So men leave the... read more

Group of Brands