10For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers — especially those of the circumcision — [1:11] who must be silenced, for they are overturning whole households, teaching things they should not for the sake of shameful gain. [1:12] One of them, their very own prophet, said: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies. [1:13] This testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith — [1:14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. [1:15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure — but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. [1:16] They profess to know God, but by their works they deny him, being detestable and disobedient and disqualified for every good work.
TIT 1:10-16
Correcting False Teachers
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Cretan context, the accusation that 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, gluttons, lazy' draws from a well-known cultural stereotype attributed to the Cretan poet Epimenides. This statement would have resonated with the audience as a critique of local behavior, particularly in a society where honor and shame were central values. The mention of 'those of the circumcision' points to Jewish teachers who were promoting 'Jewish myths' and 'commandments of men,' likely referring to oral traditions or interpretations of the Torah that diverged from Pauline teachings. These false teachers were accused of disrupting households, a serious charge in a culture where the household was the foundational social unit. The term 'shameful gain' suggests they were exploiting their position for financial or social benefit, a common critique in Greco-Roman moral discourse. The call to 'rebuke them severely' reflects the urgency of maintaining doctrinal purity in a community vulnerable to external influences.
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How other translations render this
TIT 1:10
- KJV
- For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
- BSB
- For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,
- Koinōnos
- For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers — especially those of the circumcision —
TIT 1:11
- KJV
- Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
- BSB
- who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.
- Koinōnos
- who must be silenced, for they are overturning whole households, teaching things they should not for the sake of shameful gain.
TIT 1:12
- KJV
- One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
- BSB
- As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
- Koinōnos
- One of them, their very own prophet, said: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.
TIT 1:13
- KJV
- This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
- BSB
- This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
- Koinōnos
- This testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith —
TIT 1:14
- KJV
- Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
- BSB
- and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- Koinōnos
- not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
TIT 1:15
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
- Koinōnos
- To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure — but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
TIT 1:16
- KJV
- They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
- BSB
- They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
- Koinōnos
- They profess to know God, but by their works they deny him, being detestable and disobedient and disqualified for every good work.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
TIT 1:10
- insubordinate,:The word translated 'insubordinate' describes someone who is not subject to authority or order, often implying a rebellious or unruly disposition.
- empty talkers:The term used here for 'empty talkers' refers to those who speak idly or aimlessly, producing speech that is worthless or without substance.
TIT 1:11
- to silence;:The word translated 'to silence' literally means to bridle or muzzle, like an animal, suggesting a forceful and decisive stopping of speech.
TIT 1:12
- gluttons:The word translated 'gluttons' literally means 'bellies' or 'stomachs,' emphasizing their excessive focus on food and bodily appetites.