Titus 1:9b-16 …that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
‘Gainsayers’ [Greek, antilego] contradictors of truth. Translated “gainsayer” (1:9; Rom. 10:21); “speak against” (Luke 2:34; John 19:12; Acts 13:45; 28:19-22); “answer again” (2:9); “contradict” (Acts. 13:45); and “deny” (Luke 20:27).
Twenty characteristics of gainsayers: Unruly – rebellious to truth (1:10); Vain talkers – empty boasters; Deceivers – pretenders of truth; Subvert (overthrown) whole houses (1:11; 2Tim. 2:18); Teach false doctrines; Greedy of money (1:11; Php. 1:21; 3:7); Liars (1:12); Evil beasts – ferocious; Slow bellies – gluttons, hoggish; Unsound in faith (1:13); Consecrated to false doctrines (1:14); Obey human commandments (Matt. 15:1-39); Reject truth (2Tim. 4:1-4); Unclean and unbelieving (1:15); Only profess godliness(1:16; 2Tim. 3:1-17); Defiled in mind and conscience (1:15); Deny God in life and conduct (1:16); Abominable – unnatural in lusts; Disobedient to God and truth; Reprobate to all good works.
To be continued…
Living the Word 