Titus 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

NIV: For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group.

NASB: For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

CSB: For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party.

NLT: For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation.

KJV: For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

NKJV: For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

Verses 5–9 discussed qualifications for Christian church elders. Starting in verse 9, Paul changes focus to address false teachers which existed on Crete, and elsewhere. Paul notes that there are many of these false teachers. The problem of phony teachers was a large-scale problem for Titus and other Christians on Crete. They were "empty talkers and deceivers." This indicates that their error was in words, rather than physical persecution. In particular, Paul noted "those of the circumcision party." These people were a movement within the early church who taught Gentile Christians that they must be circumcised and obey the law of Moses to live as obedient followers of Christ. The church at Jerusalem addressed this controversy approximately 14 years earlier, around AD 50. At that time, it was understood that circumcision and Torah-observance was not required of Gentile converts (Acts 15). This interpretation was widely circulated, yet opponents clearly remained even years later.

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.

Accessed 4/30/2024 5:01:37 PM