Titus 1:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

NIV: 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.

NASB: To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

CSB: To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled.

NLT: Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Following Paul's commands against false teachers, he notes, "To the pure, all things are pure." These words echo Paul's thoughts elsewhere in his letters (1 Timothy 4:1–5). Purity was of great importance in the Torah, and strongly emphasized in worship of God. "Pure gold" was used in the construction of items in the tabernacle, for example, with those approaching God doing so only in a state of ritual purity.

In contrast, "to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure." Paul has the false teachers of Crete in mind here, spoken of throughout verses 10–16. At first read, this could possibly refer to both true believers—the defiled—and unbelievers. However, verse 16 seems to clearly indicate Paul had unbelievers in mind. In either case, those teaching false information about God are not pure. In fact, they are impure in both their mind, and their conscience—they are completely unclean. In the Jewish mindset, those who were unclean could not worship God. They had to be made clean (holy) before coming to God in worship. Paul emphasizes their true nature in the following verse.

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.