12 “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:12–14 (ESV)
“All truth is God’s truth.” This phrase commonly means every piece of genuine knowledge, whether discovered through Scripture, nature, science, history, or any other realm of inquiry, ultimately comes from the same divine Author; God. The concept finds its roots in the understanding the Lord is the creator of all things. Therefore, the origin of all truth is God because He is the embodiment of truth (cf. John 14:6). Nothing legitimately true stands outside His sovereignty and providence.
The Apostle Paul likely quoted from Epimenides, a Cretan philosopher and poet. He stated, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” When Paul wrote “this testimony is true” he was referring to accurately evaluating the character of the false teachers (Titus 1:10-11).
“The saying Paul quotes here has been attributed to several sources, the earliest being the sixth-century b.c. teacher Epimenides of Knossos in Crete. (The real source may more likely be Hesiod by way of the third-century b.c. Callimachus’s Hymn to Zeus; Crete claimed to possess both the birthplace and grave of Zeus. But that the words were often attributed to a Cretan in Paul’s day is sufficient for him to make the point for Titus. Paul is clearly not citing his own view, because he would not consider a liar to be a true prophet. Greek logicians played with the claim by a Cretan that all Cretans were liars: if he had told the truth, he was lying; but if he was lying, then they reasoned that all Cretans told the truth—reasonable, except that this Cretan had not!).”[1]
“By Paul’s time Epimenides was reputed to have been a traveling wonderworker, teacher and prophet; as usual in Greek thought, the line between poetic and prophetic inspiration could be thin. Although the saying seems to have become proverbial (one commentator declares that “to cretize” became slang for “to lie”), it is possible that Paul knew either the works of Epimenides or, perhaps more likely, an anthology containing sayings attributed to him (see comment on Acts 17:27–29). Crete also had a bad reputation for arrogance, treachery and greed. “Gluttony” was associated with love of pleasure as opposed to love of knowledge; see comment on Philippians 3:19.”[2]
Paul wrote to sharply rebuke the false teachers who were plaguing the church (Titus 1:10-11). To rebuke (ἔλεγχε; elenche) means to expose and correct someone. In this context, the verb is a present active imperative. Paul told Titus to expose and correct the Cretan false teachers and to do so presently, actively and obediently. Paul commanded Titus do so sharply (ἀποτόμως; elenche) or severely and harshly.
The reason for the apostle’s stern command to sharply rebuke the false teachers was so they would become sound in the faith. The phrase they may be sound (ὑγιαίνωσιν; hygiainosin) is a present active subjunctive plural verb. Paul’s desire was in the future the false teachers would become healthy and accurate in the Christian faith. Their doctrinal health and accuracy would evidence itself by they not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.”
“How the congregations reacted to Paul’s forthright use of this quotation is not known, but they certainly could not have missed his point: This testimony is true. The false teachers fit the Cretan stereotype. Thus, their negative influence must be remedied, if at all possible, by salvaging the false teachers themselves. Titus was to rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound (“healthy”; cf. 1 Tim. 1:10; 6:3–4) in the faith. The ultimate goal of discipline should be to recover the one who is in error (Gal. 6:1; 2 Thes. 3:14–15). In the present case Paul hoped that Titus’ severe rebuke would be enough to bring the errorists around so that they would cease paying attention to Jewish myths and to the commands of those who reject the truth.”[3]
Matthew Henry writes, “There must in reproving be a distinguishing between sins and sins; some are more gross and heinous in their nature: and between sinners and sinners; some are of a more tender and tractable temperament, apter to be influenced by gentleness; others are more hardy and stubborn, and need more cutting language.”
“The church must be on guard against the culture transforming it, for it is distinct from culture and must remain so. People should be able to see in our love for one another something they have never seen before, not attitudes and actions that conform to the worst of the society around us. As we read Scripture and hear the Word of God preached, may we seek to fulfill the challenge to be Christlike both in His church and in the world,” comments Dr. R. C. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Tt 1:12.
[2] Ibid., Tt 1:12.
[3] A. Duane Litfin, “Titus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 763.
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