Titus 1:15 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.
Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

I have recently published a number of passages in the Conditional Security series (including here, here and here) that included the Greek term ἀδόκιμος adókimos. This term is often translated as disqualified, failed, failed to meet a test or, in our verse above “unfit”. Other translations use terms such as reprobate, worthless, and disapproved.

As I read this passage previously, I did not make such a connection. I had not associated these folk that Paul is warning Titus about as being believers, but of those who are of the circumcision, as verse 10 refers to.

Titus 1:10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

But then I noticed note that Paul does not state only those of the circumcision, but especially those of the circumcision. And lets consider the wider context.

Paul’s discussion prior to referring to the circumcision is a description of elders, believers who supposedly had been previously tested to fill the position of an elder. Elders who may have taught the believers, or oversaw believers who taught in the church.

Whoever the folk are that are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, they are upsetting whole families (verse 11) with their teaching. Are these teachers unsaved folk, for they are described as subordinate, empty talkers and deceivers? Does not Paul command Titus to “rebuke them sharply”, in order to bring them into the faith?

Lets read that verse together

Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Ooops – that may be a slip on my part. Did Paul command Titus to bring them into the faith through rebuke?. No, it appears Paul is telling Titus to straighten them up, to bring them to a soundness in the faith! These folk seem to have a faith that exists, but not in a healthy manner.

Is the previous context of elders, those who watch over the church, teaching us that the subordinate, empty talking deceivers (verse 10) as those in the church? Believers who have enough experience to be teachers within the home churches of the area?

It seems Paul is wanting Titus (and the elders) to rebuke believers, those who are insubordinate, empty talking deceivers, who have slipped from the truth of the gospel. The rebuke is for believers who have turned away from the truth. Consider verse 14, and the influence of people who have turned away on these teachers.

Titus 1:14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

These teachers, may be pursuing and propagating a teaching of the circumcision (some food laws possibly) are professing to know God, and yet their mind and conscience are defiled, they deny God, and are disqualified.

The more I read this passage and try to understand the intent of the apostle, I am coming away thinking this passage is speaking of believers who have been lured away from the simple gospel by false teachers, and are, or beginning to, walk away from the Messiah.

Most of this post has dwelt with Paul’s description of these teachers being disqualified. He also brings to the discussion the idea of denial. Let me remind my reader that to deny is to disavow, reject and refuse. It is commonly synonymous with renouncing something or someone, typically that had been accepted previously.

When Paul uses a term such as deny, I can’t help but think he is speaking of those who at one time did not deny the Messiah, but had accepted, believed and followed.

When Paul uses a term such as disqualified I can’t help but think he is speaking of those who at one time were not disqualified, but had entered the contest, joined the fight and found success, even victory.

Let me know your thoughts. Is Paul speaking of believers in this passage and directing Titus do bring them back to a soundness of faith?

I would appreciate your thoughts.

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