Titus 1:10-16 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 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. 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. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
1. The Marks of a
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
Additional Notes:
2. The Response of the
11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
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3. The Product of
12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
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4. The Goal of
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.
Additional Notes:
5. The Rffect of
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.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
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Further Bible Study on False Teachings:
Matthew 7:15, Mark 13:22,23, Acts 20:29,30, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 2:18-23, 1 John 4:1-3, 2 John 7, Jude 3-4, Jude 17-19, etc.
Recommended Books on False Teaching:
- “A Field Guide on False Teaching” - Ligonier Ministries
- “The Truth War” - John MacArthur
Recommended Books on Growing in Biblical Truth:
- The Bible, various translations, word studies, etc.
- “A Summary of Christian Doctrine” - Louis Berkhof
- “The Moody Handbook of Theology” - Paul Enns
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you identify a false teacher?
2. What can you do to “silence” false teachers?
3. What kind of reputation do you have? Are you content with that?
4. How have you seen a godly rebuke, either given or received, result in God’s glory in your life?
5. What is the difference between “faith without works” and “works without faith”?