King James Version

What Does Titus 1:10 Mean?

“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:”

Context

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; men: or, things

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. as: or, in teaching

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 alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

Read full chapter →

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers.**—Nominally in the congregations of Christians, but in reality refusing all obedience, acting for themselves, factious, insubordinate. Titus would, alas, discover many such; these often would be found to be possessed of the gift of fluent and deceptive speech, and would deceive many. Professor Reynolds characterises such restless, uneasy spirits as loquacious, restless talkers, “who *must* say something, and who have broken the peace of many a home and shattered the prosperity of many a church; the multitude of teachers who have nothing true to say is the curse of the kingdom of God.” **Specially they of the circumcision.**—Here St. Paul points out to Titus *where* he must look for the origin of this hostility. These unhappy men evidently did not belong to the stern and rigid Jewish party who hated with a bitter hate all the followers of the Nazarene, but were of the number of those sleepless opponents of St. Paul and his school—the Judaising Christians.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Titus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Titus 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.