Titus 1:16
New International Version
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

New Living Translation
Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

English Standard Version
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Berean Standard Bible
They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Berean Literal Bible
They profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.

King James Bible
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

New King James Version
They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

New American Standard Bible
They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

NASB 1995
They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

NASB 1977
They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.

Legacy Standard Bible
They profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.

Amplified Bible
They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.

Christian Standard Bible
They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

American Standard Version
They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Contemporary English Version
Such people claim to know God, but their actions prove they really don't. They are disgusting. They won't obey God, and they are too worthless to do anything good.

English Revised Version
They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

Good News Translation
They claim that they know God, but their actions deny it. They are hateful and disobedient, not fit to do anything good.

International Standard Version
They claim to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified to do anything good.

Majority Standard Bible
They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

NET Bible
They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

New Heart English Bible
They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Webster's Bible Translation
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.

Weymouth New Testament
They profess to know God; but in their actions they disown Him, and are detestable and disobedient men, and for any good work are utterly useless.

World English Bible
They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They profess to know God, but they deny [Him] by their works, being abominable, and disobedient, and disapproved to every good work.

Berean Literal Bible
They profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.

Young's Literal Translation
God they profess to know, and in the works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work disapproved.

Smith's Literal Translation
They confess to know God; and in works they deny, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work not tried.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They profess that they know God: but in their works they deny him; being abominable, and incredulous, and to every good work reprobate.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They claim that they know God. But, by their own works, they deny him, since they are abominable, and unbelieving, and reprobate, toward every good work.

New American Bible
They claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny him. They are vile and disobedient and unqualified for any good deed.

New Revised Standard Version
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They profess to know God, but in works they deny him, and they are abominable, and disobedient, condemning every kind of good work.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they profess that they know God, but by their works they reject him; they are enemies, disobedient and worthless concerning every good work.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
They profess that they know God, but in their works they deny him, being detestable and disobedient, and, as it respects every good work, rejected.

Godbey New Testament
They profess to know God, but deny him by their works, being abominable, and unbelieving, and reprobate unto every good work.

Haweis New Testament
They profess to know God; but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Mace New Testament
they make a profession of knowing God; but in fact they deny him, being execrably incredulous, and utter strangers to all virtue.

Weymouth New Testament
They profess to know God; but in their actions they disown Him, and are detestable and disobedient men, and for any good work are utterly useless.

Worrell New Testament
They profess to know God; but by their works they deny Him; being abominable, and disobedient, and for every good work worthless.

Worsley New Testament
They profess to know God, but in works deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every thing that is good void of understanding.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Correcting False Teachers
15To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Cross References
Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...

1 John 2:4
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Ezekiel 33:31-32
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.

1 John 1:6
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

Jeremiah 7:9-11
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? / Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

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

profess.

Numbers 24:16
He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Isaiah 48:1
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.

being.

Job 15:16
How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Revelation 21:8,27
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death…

and disobedient.

1 Samuel 15:22,24
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams…

Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

1 Timothy 1:9
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

unto.

Jeremiah 6:30
Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

2 Timothy 3:8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

reprobate.

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Abominable Actions Acts Backs Claim Deed Deeds Deny Detestable Disapproved Disobedient Disown Found Good Hard-Hearted Hated Judged Profess Reprobate Turning Unfit Useless Utterly Value Work Works Worthless
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Abominable Actions Acts Backs Claim Deed Deeds Deny Detestable Disapproved Disobedient Disown Found Good Hard-Hearted Hated Judged Profess Reprobate Turning Unfit Useless Utterly Value Work Works Worthless
Titus 1
1. Paul greets Titus, who was left to finish the work in Crete.
6. How those chosen as ministers ought to be qualified.
11. The mouths of evil teachers to be stopped;
12. and what manner of men they be.














They profess to know God
The word "profess" comes from the Greek "homologeo," which means to declare openly or confess. This implies a verbal acknowledgment or claim of faith. In the historical context of the early church, many individuals claimed allegiance to God, yet their understanding and relationship with Him were superficial. The phrase "to know God" suggests an intimate, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual assent. This highlights the importance of a genuine relationship with God, beyond mere words.

but by their actions they deny Him
The Greek word for "actions" is "ergon," meaning works or deeds. This indicates that true faith is evidenced by one's lifestyle and choices. The word "deny" comes from "arneomai," which means to disown or repudiate. Historically, this reflects the challenges faced by the early church with false teachers and hypocrites who lived contrary to the teachings of Christ. The phrase underscores the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26), emphasizing the need for congruence between belief and behavior.

They are detestable
The term "detestable" is translated from the Greek "bdeluktos," which conveys a sense of being abominable or loathsome. This strong language reflects God's view of hypocrisy and falsehood. In the scriptural context, such individuals are compared to the idolatrous practices condemned in the Old Testament, which were abhorrent to God. This serves as a warning against living a life that is outwardly religious but inwardly corrupt.

disobedient
The Greek word "apeithes" means unpersuadable or rebellious. This term describes a willful resistance to authority, particularly God's commandments. In the historical context of Titus, this disobedience was not just a personal failing but a communal threat, as it undermined the integrity and witness of the church. The call to obedience is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the importance of aligning one's life with God's will.

and unfit for any good deed
"Unfit" is translated from the Greek "adokimos," meaning disqualified or worthless. This term was used in ancient times to describe metals that failed the test of purity. In the context of this verse, it signifies a lack of spiritual integrity and usefulness. The phrase "any good deed" underscores the biblical teaching that true faith should manifest in acts of love and service. The historical and scriptural context reminds believers that a life disconnected from God cannot produce the fruit of righteousness.

(16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him.--These bitter foes to the truth, Titus must remember, will present themselves under the guise of friends. They will rank themselves in the Christian company openly, with their lips confessing God, but in their way of life, in their acts, practically denying the very things they were so careful to affirm with their lips; in other words, taking back, withdrawing, the solemn declaration of faith they had been making.

Being abominable.--This is the only place where this strong expression is used in the New Testament. It signifies that the life and actions of these men, who professed to be His servants, had made them hateful in the sight of God.

And disobedient.--Rebellious and opposed to all law and order would Titus find them.

And unto every good work reprobate.--As a consequence of their hypocritical, selfish, defiled life, these men, when any good and noble work had to be done, were simply useless, worthless; and to teachers of this kind were many of the Cretan believers content to go for instruction in Christian doctrine and practice.

Verse 16. - By their for in, A.V. They profess that they know God (comp. Romans 2:17-20). The arrogant claim to be God's people and to superior holiness, while all the while they were denying God by their evil deeds, and bringing dishonor upon his Name among the Gentiles, was a marked feature of the Jews in St. Paul's time (comp. 2 Timothy 3:5). Abominable (βδελυκτοὶ); objects or causes of disgust; only here in the New Testament, but found in the LXX. But βδέλυγμα and βδελύσσομαι are not uncommon. Reprobate (ἀδόκιμοι); as 2 Timothy 3:8 (where see note). This picture of the circumcision is indeed sad (comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:15, 16; Acts 28:25-28).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They profess
ὁμολογοῦσιν (homologousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3670: From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.

to know
εἰδέναι (eidenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

God,
Θεὸν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they deny [Him]
ἀρνοῦνται (arnountai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 720: Perhaps from a and the middle voice of rheo; to contradict, i.e. Disavow, reject, abnegate.

by [their]
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

actions.
ἔργοις (ergois)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

They are
ὄντες (ontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

detestable,
βδελυκτοὶ (bdelyktoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 947: Abominable, detestable. From bdelusso; detestable, i.e. idolatrous.

disobedient,
ἀπειθεῖς (apeitheis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 545: Unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded. Unpersuadable, i.e. Contumacious.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

unfit
ἀδόκιμοι (adokimoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 96: Failing to pass the test, unapproved, counterfeit. By implication, worthless.

for
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

any
πᾶν (pan)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

good
ἀγαθὸν (agathon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

deed.
ἔργον (ergon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.


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NT Letters: Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God (Ti. Tt.)
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