Titus 1:13
in Titus 1This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
KJV
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
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This verse in Titus 1
Commentary
12 notes on this verseTherefore rebuke them sharply, he says, they are liars and evil beasts, and lazy gluttons, who deceive with falsehoods and thirst for the blood of the deceived like wild animals, and not working in silence, eat their own bread, whose god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame, and rebuke them so that they may be sound in the faith. Speak of the health of faith and what follows: that old men be sober, honorable, chaste, sound in the faith and love and patience, to whose faith the health of teachings is also called.
This site's exposition
one of their own prophets
on Titus 1:12-13
Paul quotes Epimenides, a sixth century Cretan poet: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. The Greek verb kretizein, to Cretanize, meant to lie, so the line was a proverb the culture already told of itself.
This site's exposition
rebuke them sternly
Paul agrees with the Cretan poet and turns the saying into an order. The sharp word aims at their health. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown hold that gentleness would not reclaim offenders this stubborn, and Chrysostom ties the sharpness to their deceitful habits.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
This testimony is true. For this reason, he rebuked them sharply, so that they might be sound in the faith. For this reason, he rebuked them sharply. Therefore, because some are wicked, he says, rebuke them more harshly, for they could not be led from …
Ver. 13. "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith." This he says, because their disposition was froward, deceitful, and dissolute. They have these numberless bad qualities; and because they are prone to lying, deceiving, gluttonous, and slothful, severe reproof is necessary. For such characters will not be managed by mildness, "therefore rebuke them." He speaks not here of Gentiles, but of his own people. "Sharply." Give them, he says, a stroke that cuts deep. For one method is not to be employed with all, but they are to be differently dealt with, according to their various characters and dispositions. He does not here have recourse to exhortation. For as he who treats with harshness the meek and ingenuous, may destroy them; so he who flatters one that requires severity, causes him to perish, and does not suffer him to be reclaimed. "That they may be sound in the faith." This then is soundness, to introduce nothing spurious, nor foreign. But if they who are scrupulous about meats are not sound, but are sick and weak; for, "Them that are weak," he says, "receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations" (Rom xiv. 1); what can be said of those who observe the same fasts, (with the Jews,) who keep the sabbaths, who frequent the places that are consecrated by them? I speak of that at Daphne, of that which is called the cave of Matrona, and of that plain in Cilicia, which is called Saturn's. How are these sound? With them a heavier stroke is necessary. Why then does he not do the same with the Romans? Because their dispositions were different, they were of a nobler character.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Then he confirms this testimony when he says, this testimony is true. A Gloss says: this gives us to understand that a teacher of Sacred Scripture takes the testimony of truth wherever he finds it. Hence the Apostle frequently cites the sayings of gentiles, as …
The question is asked, why did he adduce a "testimony" from Greek writers and approve it, even though it is unjust? And who said this? In truth, it was said by Epimenides, who more than all the Greek sages was occupied with prophecies and the …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
The Cretans' sins and corruptions were many, great, and habitual; therefore they must be rebuked sharply. But that such direction might not be misconstrued, 5. Here is the end of it noted: That they may be sound in the faith (
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4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
This witness is true,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
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, 2Ti 4:
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
This witness--"This testimony (though coming from a Cretan) is true." sharply--Gentleness would not reclaim so perverse offenders. that they--that those seduced by the false teachers may be brought back to soundness in the faith. Their malady is strifes about words and questions (Tit 3:9;
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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.
The words behind it
16 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἡ | he | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μαρτυρία | marturia | testimony | G3141 → | |
| αὕτη | haute | this | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| ἐστὶν | estin | is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἀληθής· | alethes | true; | G227 → | |
| δι᾽ | di᾽ | for | G1223 → | 664 times |
| ἣν | hen | which | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| αἰτίαν | aitian | cause | G156 → | |
| ἔλεγχε | elegche | do rebuke | G1651 → | 17 times |
| αὐτοὺς | autous | them | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ἀποτόμως, | apotomos | severely, | G664 → | |
| ἵνα | ina | so that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ὑγιαίνωσιν | hugiainosin | they may be sound | G5198 → | 12 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πίστει, | pistei | faith, | G4102 → | 242 times |
ἡ<the>
heG3588 →19766 times
μαρτυρίαtestimony
marturiaG3141 →
αὕτηthis
hauteG3778 →1381 times
ἐστὶνis
estinG1510 →2333 times
ἀληθής·true;
alethesG227 →
δι᾽for
di᾽G1223 →664 times
ἣνwhich
henG3739 →1405 times
αἰτίανcause
aitianG156 →
ἔλεγχεdo rebuke
elegcheG1651 →17 times
αὐτοὺςthem
autousG846 →5565 times
ἀποτόμως,severely,
apotomosG664 →
ἵναso that
inaG2443 →668 times
ὑγιαίνωσινthey may be sound
hugiainosinG5198 →12 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
πίστει,faith,
pisteiG4102 →242 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 27:5Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 5:20
But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 28:23
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
- 1 Timothy 5:20
Through
Titus 2:2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:23
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Galatians 5:23
Through
Titus 2:15Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
it leads to
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Through
2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 4:15–16
Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- Revelation 3:19
Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- 1 Timothy 4:13
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
- 1 Timothy 4:15–16
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies9
About Titus
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Titus; John Chrysostom, Homily on Titus 3; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON TITUS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Titus and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Titus.