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Introduction
Titus was Paul's trouble-shooter and problem-solver for the churched on the island of Crete. The problems seem to have originated from . .
I. Lack of qualified leadership, Titus 1:5-9.
II. The presence and influence of false teachers, Titus 1:10-16.
III. Lack of good instruction to believers concerning proper Christian conduct, Titus 2:1-10; 3:1-3.
The last qualification of an elder Paul mentions is this: "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." This sets up the instruction Paul gave concerning another major issue Titus must address concerning the churches on the isle of Crete—
Our study of Titus continues with Paul tackling the second major issue of concern for the Cretan churches:
II. The Presence and Influence of False Teachers, Titus 1:10—2:1
(Titus 1:10-16 NIV) For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. {11} They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain. {12} Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." {13} This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith {14} and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. {15} To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. {16} They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
(Titus 2:1 NIV) You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
A. How They Are Described, Titus 1:10
(Titus 1:10 NIV) For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.
1. Rebellious—they do not submit to the gospel as received and seek to oppose it for their own ends.
2. Mere talkers—they are empty or unprofitable speakers. They do not contribute anything of value.
3. Deceivers—they seductively "rein you in" to the folly of their teaching with twisted interpretations and views.
This description especially applies to the circumcision group.
B. How They Must Be Dealt With, Titus 1:11a
(Titus 1:11a NIV) They must be silenced.
Though probably intended figuratively by Paul, The Greek uses a term here that is translated "silenced" in the NIV but means literally "to stuff the mouth, or gag." Such imagery expressed the urgency of Paul felt to have this false teaching stopped immediately.
C. Why They Are So Damaging, Titus 1:11b-13a
(Titus 1:11b-13a NIV) They are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain. {12} Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." {13} This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply.
1. They are ruining whole households.
2. They are taking financial advantage of their followers.
3. They are living up to their generally accepted reputation.
D. What Must Be Done to Correct Their Effects, Titus 1:13b.
(Titus 1:13b NIV) Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
1. They and their dupes return to sound doctrinal beliefs.
The attitude of some church members is, "It makes no difference what you believe, just as long as you believe something." Paul would not agree with that foolish philosophy. It makes all the difference between life and death whether or not you believe the truth of the Word or believe lies. You can choose what you want to believe, but you cannot change the consequences.
--Warren Wiersbe, Be Faithful: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
2. They no longer pay attention to Jewish myths.
3. They no longer heed the commands of those who reject the truth.
E. What Is the Character of Those Who Do Infect the Church with False Teaching, Titus 1:15-16.
First, let us understand what type of false teaching is being confronted here. Scholars such as Charles Ryrie, Craig S. Keener, Robert L. Thomas, Warren Wiersbe, et al., agree that Paul is making an argument against at least two errors that had already infiltrated many churches in Europe and Asia and had apparently reached Cretan churches as well. There were evidently present in the churches some Jews who were teaching that Christians must not only abide by the teachings of Christ but adhere to the various laws concerning clean and unclean behavior and rituals. Perhaps the pre-Gnostic cult had also come to Crete with another set of regulations which if adhered to would raise its believers to a higher level of god-consciousness.
Whether or not this is the case, the instructions Paul writes to Titus would apply to both these errors and many other false teachings, also. To the truly spiritually pure, purity and impurity does not spring from what a person does, but how a person thinks. We think and then we act. We do not become godly by submitting to a list of regulations about our diet, dress, actions, etc. We become godly by thinking about how our diet, dress, actions, etc. positively promote Christlikeness or negatively provoke unrighteous thought or behavior in others. So . . .
§ We are careful about alcohol and drugs not because they are wrong in themselves, but because of what effects they can produce if not appropriately used.
§ We are careful about our dress not because it is wrong to be dressed, but because dressing in particular ways provokes immoral thoughts and actions in others.
§ We are careful in how we express our sexuality not because sex is wrong, but because improper sexual expression destroys people's futures, can lead to disease, robs people of experiencing the healthiest environment for human companionship by living in a wholesome traditional family.
This list could be expanded into other areas of human experience, but hopefully the point has been made.
Returning to Paul's description of the character of these false teachers we note these things.
1. They are corrupt and unbelieving.
2. They deem "pure" those things Christians hold as "impure", finding ways to justify their wicked behavior while holding the divinely revealed biblical view to scorn.
3. They claim to know God but disprove it by their actions and denying the authority of His revealed word.
4. They are marked by their detestable acts and disobedient nature.
This makes them unfit for anything good.
Conclusion
There are those who want to infect the church with
False moral teaching—Morals are relative and really only serve the purpose of providing order in society. They can change to meet the ends of whoever makes those decisions in a particular society.
False religious teaching—All paths to God and spirituality are equal. Since religious belief leads to agnosticism (the truth of religions can never be known for sure), it really irrelevant.
False doctrinal teaching—The Bible is not authoritative and its writers did not possess the enlightenment of today's scientists and thinkers, so it can be adjusted, even changed, to fit what is considered to be enlightened knowledge.
But don't you believe it! For God has said . . .
(Mat 24:35 NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(Psa 18:30 NIV) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
(1 Pet 1:24-25 NIV) For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, {25} but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
