seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Titus 1:10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. 15 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. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
The commentary is very thorough.Especially those of the circumcision: Paul was particularly concerned with the effect of some Christians from a Jewish background, who thought the key to acceptance before God was keeping the Law of Moses.
The words insubordinate and of the circumcision taken together show that these were Christians from a Jewish background, or at least they were Christians in name. “We cannot call those persons unruly on whose obedience we have no claim.” (White)
“They tried to persuade them that the simple story of Jesus and the Cross was not sufficient, but that, to be really wise, they needed all the subtle stories and the long genealogies and the elaborate allegories of the Rabbis. Further, they tried to teach them that grace was not enough, but that, to be really good, they needed to take upon themselves all the rules and regulations about foods and washings which were so characteristic of Judaism.” (Barclay)
We can understand why it might be more difficult for Christians who came from Judaism and why they might tend to be more of a source of trouble in the early churches. Christians from pagan backgrounds immediately knew that they had to reject everything about their prior understanding about the gods. Yet Christians from Judaism had to take some things and leave others, and this is often more difficult.
For the sake of dishonest gain: These problem people were motivated by gain. Paul’s main idea was of dishonest financial gain, and there are many who fit that description today. However, the dishonest gain some seek from the gospel is emotional instead of financial. They serve for the sake of the gain that comes when others recognize or admire them as a spiritual leader.
Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons: The problem was difficult because of the general character of the Cretans. Even prophets among the Cretans described the island people as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons, it indicates that there is a character problem.
Yesterday I posted the verses that come before these. It was about finding good men to run the little churches scattered all over the area we know as Yugoslavia. Titus was supposed to pick "good men of faith", who didn't beat their well-behaved children, and who had one loving and smiling wife. Such a man would be a good elder.Today, Paul is expounding on just how difficult choosing all those "good men of faith" would be. There were, apparently, lots of "Cretans" around who could spew Bible verse after warping it to their understanding.
I've seen a lot of people skew the Bible to suit their needs. As a matter of fact, ... some will say the news we received about the Catholic Pope's stand on gay couples is a prime example of skewing the Bible. At the same time, there are just as many people who would say "it's about time!".
Deciding if the Pope is right or wrong is way, way, above my paygrade. But, it's a great example of what Titus would have been up against. Some "good men of faith" had no problem with allowing an uncircumcised male who just had bacon for breakfast sharing a pew with them. While others wanted to inspect for the scar before admitting them into the church, let alone let them sit in the same pew. I've heard a preacher state he would leave the church rather than allow a gay person to join his church.
So, the type of people Titus was dealing with is the source of the problem here. Liars who would twist the Gospel to make it suit their needs do not describe the "good men of faith" Titus was supposed to be looking for.
Paul told Titus to avoid the rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception. I wonder if Titus could find one good man, let alone a good man for each little church.
Church elders are not supposed to be rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception. Christianity was brand spanking new. They didn't have Bibles... they had scrolls... hand written by who knows who.... and from which camp they came from. Who could tell who was spewing garbage and who was telling the truth?
If a man had been a Cretan.... but now professed to be a Christian.... could he sit in your pew?
Paul would know, but he wouldn't let them in.... or that's what I get from these verses.
Cretan or Christian?
