Titus 1:10-13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:11

Whose mouths must be stopped - Unmask them at once; exhibit them to the people; make manifest their ignorance and hypocrisy; and let them be confounded before the people whom they are endeavoring to seduce. Subvert whole houses - Turn whole Christian families from the faith, attributing to the broad way what belongs only to the strait gate; ministering to disorderly passions, and promising salvation to their proselytes, though not saved from their sins. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:12

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own - This was Epimenides, who was born at Gnossus, in Crete, and was reckoned by many the seventh wise man of Greece, instead of Periander, to whom that honor was by them denied. Many fabulous things are related of this poet, which are not proper to be noticed here. He died about 538 years before the Christian era. When St. Paul calls him a prophet of their own, he only intimates that he was, by the Cretans, reputed a prophet. And, according to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:13

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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:10

Verse 10 10For there are many unruly. (224) After having laid down a general rule, which ought to be everywhere observed, in order that Titus may be more attentive to adhere to it, he holds out to him the urgent necessity which ought to excite him more than all things else. He warns him that he has to deal with many obstinate and incorrigible persons, that many are puffed up with vanity and idle talk, that many are deceivers; and that therefore they ought to choose, on the other hand, such... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:11

Verse 11 11Whose mouth must be stopped A good pastor ought therefore to be on the watch, so as not to give silent permission to wicked and dangerous doctrines to make gradual progress, or to allow wicked men an opportunity of spreading them. But it may be asked, “How is it possible for a bishop to constrain obstinate and self-willed men to be silent? For such persons, even though they are vanquished in argument, still do not hold their peace; and it frequently happens that, the more manifestly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:12

Verse 12 12One of themselves, a prophet of their own I have no doubt that he who is here spoken of is Epimenides, who was a native of Crete; for, when the Apostle says that this author was “one of themselves,” and was “a prophet of their own,” he undoubtedly means that he belonged to the nation of the Cretans. Why he calls him a Prophet--is doubtful. Some think that the reason is, that the book from which Paul borrowed this passage bears the title Περὶ Χρησμῶν “concerning oracles.” Others are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 1:13

Verse 13 13.This testimony is true. (230) How worthiness soever the witness may have been, (231) yet the truth which has been spoken by him is acknowledged by Paul. The inhabitants of Crete, of whom he speaks with such sharpness were undoubtedly very wicked. The Apostle, who is wont to reprove mildly those who deserved to be treated with extreme severity, would never have spoken so harshly of the Cretans, if he had not been moved by very strong reasons. What term more reproachful than these... 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

Unruly men for unruly and, A.V. and T.R. Unruly ( ἀνυπότακτοι ); see Titus 1:6 . Vain talkers ( ματαιολόγοι ); only here in the New Testament, not found in the LXX ., and rare in classical Greek (see ματαιολογία , 1 Timothy 1:6 ). κενολόγος and κενολογία are used in the same sense of "vain, empty, talking." Deceivers — ( φρεναπάται ); here only in the New Testament, not found in the LXX . or in classical Greek—literally, soul-deceivers, or, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:10-13

The character of the adversaries at Crete. They were within the communion of the Christian Church. It was, therefore, all the more necessary that the ministers should be holy, laborious, and uncorrupt. I. THE MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE ADVERSARIES . "For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision." 1. They were refractory. Though standing in Church relationships, they refused all obedience, and... read more

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