Titus 1:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

NIV: One of Crete's own prophets has said it: 'Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.'

NASB: One of them, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.'

CSB: One of their very own prophets said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

NLT: Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, 'The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.'

KJV: One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

NKJV: One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

In this verse, Paul quotes from a Cretan prophet. History tells us that these words come from Epimenides, a writer from the sixth century BC. This quote was likely widely known, both to Titus and others on Crete. Paul simply used these words to affirm a known fact. This is a common use of non-scriptural material being used to support a biblical point. Paul cited non-Christian writers in at least two other occasions. This includes Acts 17:28, when he referred to a writing perhaps also from Epimenides and Aratus' poem "Phainomena." Another is in 1 Corinthians 15:33, when Paul referenced the ancient writer Menander, quoting his comedy Thais.

Such quotations don't imply in any sense that these ancient writings were part of Scripture or divine. They do prove Paul's knowledge of Greco-Roman writings, which he used as common ground to communicate spiritual truth. Other New Testament writers sometimes used extra-biblical writings to support their statements. They did so without declaring them divine or part of Scripture. Another instance of this is Jude 1:9, which refers to the body of Moses, and a dispute between the archangel Michael and Satan.

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.