Titus 1:10-13

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 1:11

Men who overthrow for who subvert, A.V. Whose mouths must be stopped ( οὒς δεῖ ἐπιστομίζειν ); here only in the New Testament, not found in the LXX ., but common in classical Greek. "To curb" (comp. Psalms 32:9 ; James 3:2 , James 3:3 ). The meaning is nearly the same as that of χαλιναγωγέω in James 1:26 ; some, however, assign to it the sense of "to muzzle" (Olshausen, etc.) or "stop the mouth," which Bishop Ellicott thinks is "perhaps the most common" and "the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:12

A prophet for even a prophet, A.V.; Cretan, s for the Cretinous, A.V.; idle gluttons for slow bellies, A.V. A prophet of their own ; viz. Epimenides, a native either of Phaestus or of Cnossus in Crete, the original author of this line, which is also quoted by Callimachus. Epimenides is here called a prophet, not simply as a poet, but from his peculiar character as priest, bard, and seer; called by Plato θεῖος ἀνήρ , and coupled by Cicero with Bacis the Bceotian prophet,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:13

Testimony for witness, A.V.; for which cause for wherefore, A.V.; reprove for rebuke, A.V. Sharply ( ἀποτομῶς ); elsewhere only in 2 Corinthians 13:10 (see also Romans 11:22 ). That they may be sound (see Titus 2:2 ). The faithful pastor must use severity when it is necessary to the spiritual health of the flock, just as the skilful surgeon uses the knife to save the patient's life. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Titus 1:10

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers - There are many persons who are indisposed to submit to authority (see the word unruly in Titus 1:6); many who are vain talkers - who are more given to talk than to the duties of practical religion (see the character of “Talkative,” in the Pilgrim’s Progress); and many who live to deceive others under the mask of religion. They make great pretensions to piety; they are fluent in argument, and they urge their views in a plausible... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Titus 1:11

Whose mouths must be stopped - The word here rendered stopped - ἐπιστομιζειν epistomizein - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence. It is, of course, implied here that this was to be done in a proper way, and in accordance with the spirit of the gospel. The apostle gives Timothy no civil power to do it, nor does he direct him to call in the aid of the civil arm. All the agency... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Titus 1:12

One of themselves - That is, one of the Cretans. The quotation here shows that Paul had his eye not only on the Jewish teachers there, but on the native Cretans. The meaning is, that, alike in reference to Jewish teachers and native-born Cretans, there was need of the utmost vigilance in the selection of persons for the ministry. They all had well-known traits of character, which made it proper that no one should be introduced into the ministry without extreme caution. It would seem, also, from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Titus 1:13

This witness is true - That is, this testimony long before borne by one of their own number, was true when the apostle wrote to Titus. The fact that this was the general Character of the people, was a reason why he should be on his guard in introducing men into the ministry, and in the arrangement of affairs pertaining to the church. That it was true, see proofs in Wetstein.Wherefore rebuke them - Notes, 2 Timothy 4:2.Sharply - ἀποτόμως apotomōs - “cuttingly, severely” - from ἀποτέμνω... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Titus 1:10-11

Titus 1:10-11. For there are many unruly Subject to no order; and vain talkers Ματαιολογοι , persons who utter a multitude of foolish and trifling things, especially concerning genealogies and fables; and deceivers Φρεναπαται , deceived in their own minds, or deceivers of the minds of others; who delude their disciples with false opinions, in order to reconcile their consciences to wicked practices; specially they of the circumcision Namely, the Jewish teachers, who, though converted... read more

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