Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
This testimony is true
The phrase "This testimony is true" refers to the preceding statement made by Paul in Titus 1:12, where he quotes a Cretan prophet who described the Cretans as "liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." The Greek word for "testimony" is "martyria," which implies a witness or evidence. Paul affirms the accuracy of this characterization, not to demean the Cretans, but to highlight the cultural challenges Titus faces in his ministry. Historically, Crete was known for its moral laxity and deceit, a reputation that even their own poets acknowledged. This acknowledgment by Paul serves as a foundation for the corrective measures he advises Titus to implement.

Therefore rebuke them sternly
The word "rebuke" comes from the Greek "elegcho," which means to expose, convict, or reprove. It implies a strong, corrective action intended to bring about conviction and change. The term "sternly" suggests a seriousness and urgency in the correction. In the context of Titus' mission, this rebuke is not meant to be harsh for its own sake but is necessary to address the false teachings and moral failings that were prevalent. The historical context of the early church, which often faced internal and external challenges, underscores the need for strong leadership and clear doctrinal boundaries.

so that they will be sound in the faith
The phrase "sound in the faith" uses the Greek word "hygiainō," which means to be healthy or whole. Paul’s goal for the Cretans is spiritual health and doctrinal purity. The "faith" here refers to the core beliefs of Christianity, the teachings of Christ and the apostles. In a culture rife with false teachings and moral decay, being "sound in the faith" is crucial for the integrity and witness of the church. This phrase emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel, which not only corrects but also restores and strengthens believers in their walk with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
- The apostle who authored the letter to Titus, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and sound doctrine.

2. Titus
- A trusted companion of Paul, left in Crete to organize and strengthen the church there.

3. Cretans
- The inhabitants of Crete, known for their cultural challenges, which included dishonesty and laziness, as mentioned earlier in Titus 1:12.

4. Crete
- An island in the Mediterranean Sea where Titus was stationed to oversee the church.

5. False Teachers
- Individuals within the church who were spreading incorrect doctrine and needed correction.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Truth
The phrase "This testimony is true" underscores the necessity of truth in the church. Believers must be committed to upholding and defending the truth of the Gospel.

The Role of Rebuke
Rebuke is not merely punitive but restorative. It aims to correct and guide individuals back to sound faith, ensuring the health of the church community.

Sound in the Faith
The ultimate goal of rebuke is to ensure that believers are "sound in the faith," meaning they are healthy, whole, and steadfast in their beliefs and practices.

Cultural Challenges
Just as Titus faced cultural challenges in Crete, modern believers must navigate cultural influences that contradict biblical teachings, requiring discernment and courage.

Leadership Responsibility
Church leaders have a responsibility to address false teachings and behaviors that threaten the integrity of the faith community, doing so with wisdom and love.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the cultural context of Crete help us interpret Paul's instructions to Titus?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of rebuke in our own church communities today?

3. How can we balance the need for stern rebuke with the call to restore gently, as seen in Galatians 6:1?

4. What are some modern-day "false teachings" that the church needs to address, and how can we do so effectively?

5. How can we ensure that we are "sound in the faith" in our personal walk with Christ and within our church community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Timothy 5:20
- This verse also speaks about rebuking those who sin, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and sound doctrine within the church.

2 Timothy 4:2
- Paul instructs Timothy to preach the word and be ready to correct, rebuke, and encourage with patience and careful instruction.

Matthew 18:15-17
- Jesus outlines the process of addressing sin within the community, which includes rebuke and correction.

Proverbs 27:5
- Highlights the value of open rebuke over hidden love, underscoring the importance of correction in relationships.

Galatians 6:1
- Encourages believers to restore those caught in sin with a spirit of gentleness, balancing the stern rebuke with love and care.
The Character of the Adversaries At CreteT. Croskery Titus 1:10-13
The Sins of the Sect and the Sins of the TribeD. Thomas Titus 1:10-14
A Classical QuotationH. R. Reynolds, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
A Sharp RebukeTitus 1:12-13
Bestiality in MenT. Taylor, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
Christian ReproofF. Wagstaff.Titus 1:12-13
Different Modes of Dealing with Different SinsT. Taylor, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
FalsehoodT. Taylor, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
Fidelity in Administering ReproofTitus 1:12-13
Like a BeastT. Taylor, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
Ministers Must not be Discouraged from Their DutyT. Taylor, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
Sharp Rebukes Sometimes NeededW. R. Burkitt, M. A.Titus 1:12-13
SharplyH. R. Reynolds, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
The Character of the CretiansH. R. Reynolds, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
The Gospel Offered to the WorstW. Graham, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
The Object of RebukesT. Taylor, D. D.Titus 1:12-13
The Punishment of LiarsTitus 1:12-13
The Reproof of a Good ManTitus 1:12-13
The Necessity of Godly RebukeT. Croskery Titus 1:13, 14
People
Cretians, Paul, Titus
Places
Crete
Topics
TRUE, Convict, Denounce, Faith, Reason, Rebuke, Reprove, Robust, Severely, Sharp, Sharply, Sternly, Testimony, Wherefore, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Titus 1:13

     1462   truth, in NT
     5302   education
     5926   rebuke
     8737   evil, responses to

Titus 1:9-13

     8028   faith, body of beliefs

Titus 1:9-14

     7756   preaching, content
     8316   orthodoxy, in NT

Titus 1:10-14

     5293   defence, human
     8766   heresies

Titus 1:12-13

     5866   gluttony

Titus 1:13-14

     5423   myths
     5588   traditions
     8237   doctrine, false

Library
Purity.
Preached August 11, 1850. PURITY. "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."--Titus i. 15. For the evils of this world there are two classes of remedies--one is the world's, the other is God's. The world proposes to remedy evil by adjusting the circumstances of this life to man's desires. The world says, give us a perfect set of circumstances, and then we shall have a set of perfect men.
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

The Pure in Heart
TITUS i. 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. This seems at first a strange and startling saying: but it is a true one; and the more we think over it, the more we shall find it true. All things are pure in themselves; good in themselves; because God made them. Is it not written, 'God saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good?' Therefore St. Paul says, that all things
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Of the Name of God
Exod. iii. 13, 14.--"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." We are now about this question, What God is. But who can answer it? Or, if answered, who can understand it? It should astonish us in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Whether Conscience be a Power?
Objection 1: It would seem that conscience is a power; for Origen says [*Commentary on Rom. 2:15] that "conscience is a correcting and guiding spirit accompanying the soul, by which it is led away from evil and made to cling to good." But in the soul, spirit designates a power---either the mind itself, according to the text (Eph. 4:13), "Be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind"---or the imagination, whence imaginary vision is called spiritual, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 7,24). Therefore
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Irregularity Attaches to Bigamy?
Objection 1: It would seem that irregularity is not attached to the bigamy that consists in having two wives successively. For multitude and unity are consequent upon being. Since then non-being does not cause plurality, a man who has two wives successively, the one in being, the other in non-being, does not thereby become the husband of more than one wife, so as to be debarred, according to the Apostle (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6), from the episcopate. Objection 2: Further, a man who commits fornication
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Sacred Doctrine is a Matter of Argument?
Objection 1: It seems this doctrine is not a matter of argument. For Ambrose says (De Fide 1): "Put arguments aside where faith is sought." But in this doctrine, faith especially is sought: "But these things are written that you may believe" (Jn. 20:31). Therefore sacred doctrine is not a matter of argument. Objection 2: Further, if it is a matter of argument, the argument is either from authority or from reason. If it is from authority, it seems unbefitting its dignity, for the proof from authority
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Religious Order Should be Established for the Purpose of Study?
Objection 1: It would seem that a religious order should not be established for the purpose of study. For it is written (Ps. 70:15,16): "Because I have not known letters [Douay: 'learning'], I will enter into the powers of the Lord," i.e. "Christian virtue," according to a gloss. Now the perfection of Christian virtue, seemingly, pertains especially to religious. Therefore it is not for them to apply themselves to the study of letters. Objection 2: Further, that which is a source of dissent is unbecoming
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether all Ecclesiastical Prelates are in the State of Perfection?
Objection 1: It would seem that all ecclesiastical prelates are in a state of perfection. For Jerome commenting on Titus 1:5, "Ordain . . . in every city," etc. says: "Formerly priest was the same as bishop," and afterwards he adds: "Just as priests know that by the custom of the Church they are subject to the one who is placed over them, so too, bishops should recognize that, by custom rather than by the very ordinance of our Lord, they are above the priests, and are together the rightful governors
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether He that is Appointed to the Episcopate Ought to be Better than Others?
Objection 1: It would seem that one who is appointed to the episcopate ought to be better than others. For our Lord, when about to commit the pastoral office to Peter, asked him if he loved Him more than the others. Now a man is the better through loving God the more. Therefore it would seem that one ought not to be appointed to the episcopal office except he be better than others. Objection 2: Further, Pope Symmachus says (can. Vilissimus I, qu. 1): "A man is of very little worth who though excelling
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Chastity is a Distinct virtue from Abstinence?
Objection 1: It would seem that chastity is not a distinct virtue from abstinence. Because where the matter is generically the same, one virtue suffices. Now it would seem that things pertaining to the same sense are of one genus. Therefore, since pleasures of the palate which are the matter of abstinence, and venereal pleasures which are the matter of chastity, pertain to the touch, it seems that chastity is not a distinct virtue from abstinence. Objection 2: Further, the Philosopher (Ethic. iii,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Epistle xv. To George, Presbyter.
To George, Presbyter. Gregory to George, Presbyter, and to Theodore, deacon, of the Church of Constantinople. Mindful of your goodness and charity, I greatly blame myself, that I gave you leave to return so soon: but, since I saw you pressing me importunately once and again for leave to go, I considered that it might be a serious matter for your Love to tarry with us longer. But, after I had learnt that you had lingered so long on your journey owing to the winter season, I confess that I was sorry
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Confessing Christ an Indispensable Duty.
"--If we deny him, he also will deny us." This is predicated of Christ; and looks forward to the day when all mankind will stand before him as their judge. Denying Christ is here declared to be a mortal sin. Those found guilty of it will hear that sentence--"Depart ye cursed!" But this is to be understood only of a persevering denial of him. Those who turn by a timely repentance, will find mercy. This is true of every sin. But repentance may be too late. It must antecede death, or it will be of
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
The Word of the Lord may not denominate in plain terms every particular sin and evil practise man may engage in; however there are general terms and principles of righteousness that prohibit and condemn every possible sinful act man may perform. The words card-parties, picnics, fairs, shows and theaters are not found in the writings of the apostles; however indulgence in these is "revelry," "living in pleasure," "rioting" and worldliness, of which the Scriptures say the participants do not love God
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Time of the Evening.
The morning was of 270 years' duration. The first form of the apostasy lasted, as we have shown, 1260 years, bringing us to the Lutheran reformation in 1530. Now when we ascertain the duration of the second beast power we will know the time the sun, moon and stars reappear in the evening. One especial text that gives us information on this subject is found in Revelation. In speaking of the two witnesses the Revelator says: "And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry,
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

Pastoral and Personal
FOURTH GROUP OF EPISTLES FIRST TIMOTHY. TITUS. SECOND TIMOTHY. THE PLACE OF THE EPISTLES +When Written.+--It is generally agreed among scholars that no place can be found for the writing of First Timothy, Titus, and Second Timothy in the period covered by Luke in his narrative in Acts. Agreeing with the tradition of the church, however, the opinion of many eminent scholars is that Paul was released from the first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16, 30), that he again took up his missionary work, and
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

Whether Sacred Doctrine Proceeds by Argument
Whether Sacred Doctrine Proceeds by Argument We proceed to the eighth article thus: 1. It seems that sacred doctrine does not proceed by argument. For Ambrose says: "where faith is sought, eschew arguments" (De Fid. Cath.), and it is especially faith that is sought in this doctrine. As it is said in John 20:31: "these are written, that ye might believe." It follows that sacred doctrine does not proceed by argument. 2. Again, if sacred doctrine proceeded by argument, it would argue either on the ground
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether a Man May Make Oblations of Whatever He Lawfully Possesses?
Objection 1: It would seem that a man may not make oblations of whatever he lawfully possesses. According to human law [*Dig. xii, v, de Condict. ob. turp. vel iniust. caus. 4] "the whore's is a shameful trade in what she does but not in what she takes," and consequently what she takes she possesses lawfully. Yet it is not lawful for her to make an oblation with her gains, according to Dt. 23:18, "Thou shalt not offer the hire of a strumpet . . . in the house of the Lord thy God." Therefore it is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether one Ought to Dispute with Unbelievers in Public?
Objection 1: It would seem that one ought not to dispute with unbelievers in public. For the Apostle says (2 Tim. 2:14): "Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." But it is impossible to dispute with unbelievers publicly without contending in words. Therefore one ought not to dispute publicly with unbelievers. Objection 2: Further, the law of Martianus Augustus confirmed by the canons [*De Sum. Trin. Cod. lib. i, leg. Nemo] expresses itself thus: "It is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Faith Alone is the Cause of Martyrdom?
Objection 1: It seems that faith alone is the cause of martyrdom. For it is written (1 Pet. 4:15,16): "Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things. But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name." Now a man is said to be a Christian because he holds the faith of Christ. Therefore only faith in Christ gives the glory of martyrdom to those who suffer. Objection 2: Further, a martyr is a kind of witness. But witness
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Loving Greetings
'Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4. Always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5. For your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6. Being confident of this very thing that He which began a good work
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak Though the Flesh, God Sending his Own Son,"
Rom. viii. 3.--"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak though the flesh, God sending his own Son," &c. Of all the works of God towards man, certainly there is none hath so much wonder in it, as the sending of his Son to become man; and so it requires the exactest attention in us. Let us gather our spirits to consider of this mystery,--not to pry into the secrets of it curiously, as if we had no more to do but to satisfy our understandings; but rather that we may see what this concerns
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
^C Luke XI. 37-54. ^c 37 Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. [The repast to which Jesus was invited was a morning meal, usually eaten between ten and eleven o'clock. The principal meal of the day was eaten in the evening. Jesus dined with all classes, with publicans and Pharisees, with friends and enemies.] 38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner. [The Pharisee marveled at this because
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

St. Ignatius (Ad 116)
When our Lord ascended into Heaven, He left the government of His Church to the Apostles. We are told that during the forty days between His rising from the grave and His ascension, He gave commandments unto the Apostles, and spoke of the things belonging to the kingdom of God (Acts i. 2f). Thus they knew what they were to do when their Master should be no longer with them; and one of the first things which they did, even without waiting until His promise of sending the Holy Ghost should be fulfilled,
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Exhortation to Workers and Ministers
In conclusion I feel that the Lord would be pleased for me to say a few words for the encouragement of young ministers and workers. In my work in the ministry I have come through many varied experiences that, I trust, will be helpful to you in the trials through which you will have to pass before you get settled in the Lord's work. The first difficulty met by most young ministers and workers is in regard to their call. Unless the call be clear and definite, they are likely to be in some doubt as
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

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