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Presbyter Qualities cont’d (Titus 1:10-16)

'For there are also many rebels, idle talkers and deceivers, especially the Jewish Christians. It is imperative to silence them, as they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what they should not. One of them, a prophet of their own, once said, “Cretans have always been liars, vicious beasts, and lazy gluttons.” That testimony is true. Therefore, admonish them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith, instead of paying attention to Jewish myths and regulations of people who have repudiated the truth. To the clean all things are clean, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is clean; in fact, both their minds and their consciences are tainted. They claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny him. They are vile and disobedient and unqualified for any good deed (Titus 1:10-16).’

There were many falsehoods propagated by some of the Jewish Christians who disobeyed church authority and tradition.  The heretics used philosophical arguments to cause harm to the house churches so they must be silenced with sound doctrine.  Cretans had a reputation for being liars so Cretan Christians must also be liars.  Legend holds that Cretans claimed Zeus was buried on Crete.  The presbyters should not debate with false teachers but refute their teaching with truth.  God made all things clean.  People are defiled by their own thoughts (Mk. 7:18-23).  Those who teach falsehoods show by their deeds that they do not know God (Js. 2:18). One cannot claim to believe in Christ and his teachings and live a corrupt life. 

Almighty God, help us to sieve the truth from among the many falsehoods we encounter every day.  Protect us from the harm caused by others out of malice or ignorance and grant us the purity of heart to follow your will.  This we ask through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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