The Deceivers

Titus 1:10-16 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, [even] a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians [are] alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Introduction

The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed:

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Matthew captures the words of Jesus the Christ as He gives a warning about the wicked.

Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Previously Paul tasked Titus with the following orders:

set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city,

Paul then defines the role of the Elder/Bishop/Pastor and his requirements.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul discusses the problem going on in the churches he is to oversee and serve.

There are deceivers in the midst.

Unruly, Vain Talkers, and Deceivers

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

An unruly person is insubordinate in fact or temper. Therefore, Paul is saying “vain talkers and deceivers” are insubordinate to the cause of Christ.

Vain talkers are opposed to “holding fast the faithful word” (vs 9). What they said really impressed the crowds, but their words held no substance.

They deceived people with their false doctrine. They were pitchmen of error. “…teaching things they ought not teach…” (Titus 1:11)

Silence the False Teachers

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

“They must be silenced.” It is interesting that Paul had to warn Timothy of this same problem. Timothy also had a group of Judaizers that wanted to force the converts into Jewish legalism and traditions. Circumcision is the focal point.

12 One of themselves, [even] a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians [are] alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

Paul quotes Epimenides, a sixth century philosopher from Crete. Paul ______________ that the assessment from Epimenides for the whole of Crete is applicable for those that are subverting the Gospel message and the body of believers.

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Since the above is “true,” Titus must rebuke the false teachers and deceivers so that they will be healthy and accurate in the faith.

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

The New American Commentary makes the following comment on this verse.

“…false teaching as “Jewish myths” and “the commands of those who reject the truth” indicates its nature and suggests its content. The fact that the nature of the false teaching was Jewish is confirmed not only by Paul’s use of the term “Jewish myths” but also from his reference to the “circumcision” in v. 10.”[1]

15 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Paul uses a contrast to describe the opposite of pure: those that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure…their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

“abominable,” which means “detestable, idolatrous, disgusting.”

“reprobate,” means “disapproved, rejected, cast away.”

Conclusion

The words of Paul to Titus should ring true today. It is the responsibility of the Christian to rebuke those deceivers sharply. Why? So that they may be sound in the faith.”

[1] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 291.