Titus 1:16
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They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
They profess--that is, make a profession acknowledging God. He does not deny their theoretical knowledge of God, but that they practically know Him. deny him--the opposite of the previous "profess" or "confess" Him (Ti1 5:8; Ti2 2:12; Ti2 3:5). abominable--themselves, though laying so much stress on the contracting of abomination from outward things (compare Lev 11:10-13; Rom 2:22). disobedient--to God (Tit 3:3; Eph 2:2; Eph 5:6). reprobate--rejected as worthless when tested (see on Rom 1:28; Co1 9:27; Ti2 3:8). Next: Titus Chapter 2
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. The preface or introduction to the epistle, showing from and to whom it was written, with the apostle's salutation and prayer for Titus, wishing all blessings to him (Tit 1:1-4). II. Entrance into the matter, by signifying the end of Titus's being left at Crete (v. 5). III. And how the same should be pursued in reference both to good and bad ministers (v. 6 to the end).
Open source ↗1:16 Sound teaching and godliness are always linked together in the letters to Timothy and Titus (see 1 Tim 1:7-11; 3:15-16; 5:24-25; 2 Tim 3:5, 9). Similarly, the ungodly way they live is connected with false teaching. • anything good: This contrasts with Titus 3:1.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.