Titus 1:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 1:6-16

The apostle here gives Titus directions about ordination, showing whom he should ordain, and whom not. I. Of those whom he should ordain. He points out their qualifications and virtues; such as respect their life and manners, and such as relate to their doctrine: the former in the Titus 1:6, 7, 8, and the latter in the Titus 1:9. 1. Their qualifications respecting their life and manners are, (1.) More general: If any be blameless; not absolutely without fault, so none are, for there is none... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 1:12

1:12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, has said: "The Cretans are always liars, wild and evil beasts, lazy gluttons." His testimony is true! No people ever had a worse reputation than the Cretans. The ancient world spoke of the three most evil C's--the Cretans, the Cilicians, and the Cappadocians. The Cretans were famed as a drunken, insolent, untrustworthy, lying, gluttonous people. Their avarice was proverbial. "The Cretans," said Polybius, "on account of their innate avarice,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 1:12

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own ,.... This was Epimenides, in whose poems stand the words here cited; the apostle rightly calls him "one of themselves", since he was a Cretian by birth, of the city of Gnossus; it is reported of him, that being sent by his father to his sheep in the field, he by the way, at noon, turned aside into a cave, and slept fifty seven years F13 Laert. l. 1. Vita Epimenidis. and he is very properly called a "prophet" of their own; for in Crete... 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

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

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 1:10-13

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

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 1:12

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 1:6-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 1:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 1:12

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:10-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:10-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 1:12

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

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