False Teachers
Category: Failure of truth
Could endure: Teach what is sound in doctrine.
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)
Cross-Refs: 2 Timothy 1:13; Acts 20:28–30.
Chose wrongly: Taught things they ought not to teach.
“They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach.” (Titus 1:11)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 1:3–4; 2 Peter 2:1.
Endured (negatively): Corrupted minds, ruined faith.
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” (Titus 1:16)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:21–23; James 2:17.
Why (wrong motive): Greedy for dishonest gain.
“…for the sake of dishonest gain.” (Titus 1:11)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 6:5; Micah 3:11.
Result: Condemned as detestable, disobedient, unfit.
“They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 25:30; Revelation 21:8.
Cretan Culture of Corruption
Category: Failure of character
Could endure: Show self-control, uprightness, godliness.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.” (Titus 2:11–12)
Cross-Refs: Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:16.
Chose wrongly: Lived as liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.
“Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 13:4; Philippians 3:19.
Endured (negatively): Gained a bad reputation, enslaved to passions.
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” (Titus 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 2:1–3; 2 Peter 2:19.
Why (wrong motive): Self-indulgence, love of pleasure.
“…enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” (Titus 3:3)
Cross-Refs: James 4:1–3; Romans 6:16.
Result: Needed sharp rebuke to be sound in faith.
“Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith.” (Titus 1:13)
Cross-Refs: 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 12:11.
Divisive People
Category: Failure of unity
Could endure: Be devoted to doing what is good.
“And let our people also learn to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:14, NKJV)
Cross-Refs: Romans 12:18; Philippians 2:2.
Chose wrongly: Stirred up division.
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time.” (Titus 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Romans 16:17; Jude 19.
Endured (negatively): Self-condemned.
“After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10–11)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 18:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, quarrelsome spirit.
“Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” (Titus 3:9)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23.
Result: Excluded from fellowship.
“Have nothing to do with them.” (Titus 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:6; 2 John 10.