Titus 1:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

NIV: This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith

NASB: This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,

CSB: This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith

NLT: This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.

KJV: This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

NKJV: This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

The claim to truth is a reference to verse 12, and Paul's quote of Epimenides. This writer referred to Cretans as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. How was Titus to respond to people who acted in such ways? Paul commanded Titus to "rebuke" them. This word is from the Greek elegcho, which implies a sense of challenging, shaming, correcting, and exposing. The meaning is similar to "scold," but with an emphasis on teaching more than punishing.

This command has to be understood in light of several points. First, the "rebuke" is targeted at Christians who hold false teachings. Paul is referring to believers, or those pretending to be believers, who are spreading false teachings.

Second, they are to be corrected "sharply." The original Greek term can also mean "abruptly." This is not a topic suitable for gentleness—it is a controversy with potential to greatly damage the church. Titus is to directly and clearly rebuke those who taught Gentile Christians they had to follow Mosaic law in order to truly serve God.

Third, the goal is to make others "sound in the faith." Titus was not attempting to scare people away from the church. The purpose of the rebuke was to help them live according to God's true, accurate, and healthy teachings for His people. This scolding has a positive intention, similar to Proverbs 28:23.

Titus 1:10–16 explains the proper way to deal with false teachers. On the island of Crete, some men taught that circumcision was required for Christians, which caused entire families to fall apart in argument. Titus is commanded to counter these claims strongly—to “rebuke them sharply.” The purpose of this response was to lead people to correct doctrine.

Chapter 1 introduces the letter from Paul to Titus. Paul describes the requirements for being appointed a church leader, such as an elder or pastor. The text then transitions into a description of how to “rebuke” false teachers. These are the requirements Paul expects Titus to follow when selecting leaders for the local churches of Crete.

Chapter 1 focuses on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Specific instructions are given for elders, and a means for dealing with false teachers. Chapter 2 explains the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 will focus on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.