King James Version

What Does Titus 1:15 Mean?

Titus 1:15 in the King James Version says “Unto the pure all things are pure : but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind ... — study this verse from Titus chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Titus 1:15 · KJV


Context

13

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15

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.

16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. reprobate: or, void of judgment


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Unto the pure all things are pure (πάντα καθαρὰ τοῖς καθαροῖς, panta kathara tois katharois)—refers to Old Testament ceremonial laws about clean/unclean foods, not moral license. Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19); the kingdom is not eating and drinking (Romans 14:17). The ritually pure person isn't defiled by ritual impurity because Christ's work supersedes ceremonial law.

But unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure—those μεμιασμένοις καὶ ἀπίστοις (memiasmenois kai apistois, defiled and faithless) find nothing clean because even their mind and conscience is defiled. νοῦς (nous, mind) and συνείδησις (syneidēsis, conscience) are corrupted. The problem isn't external ritual but internal condition. Unbelief pollutes everything; faith purifies all. The false teachers inverted this, making external ritual more important than internal reality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judaizers imposed dietary laws on Gentile Christians, creating two-tier Christianity (clean/unclean foods, circumcised/uncircumcised). Paul's principle liberates from food laws while emphasizing genuine heart-purity. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10 develop this theology more fully. The defiled conscience can't be cleaned by ritual but only by Christ's blood (Hebrews 9:14).

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you trust Christ's finished work to cleanse you, or do you add ritualistic practices as if His work were insufficient?
  2. How does your internal heart condition (pure versus defiled mind and conscience) affect your entire worldview?
  3. What modern legalisms function like food laws—external requirements masking internal corruption?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
πάντα1 of 21

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

μὲν2 of 21

are pure

G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

καθαρόν3 of 21

Unto the pure

G2513

clean (literally or figuratively)

τοῖς4 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καθαρόν5 of 21

Unto the pure

G2513

clean (literally or figuratively)

τοῖς6 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ7 of 21

but

G1161

but, and, etc

μεμίανται8 of 21

is defiled

G3392

to sully or taint, i.e., contaminate (ceremonially or morally)

καὶ9 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπίστοις10 of 21

unbelieving

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

οὐδὲν11 of 21

is nothing

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

καθαρόν12 of 21

Unto the pure

G2513

clean (literally or figuratively)

ἀλλὰ13 of 21

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

μεμίανται14 of 21

is defiled

G3392

to sully or taint, i.e., contaminate (ceremonially or morally)

αὐτῶν15 of 21

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ16 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

17 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νοῦς18 of 21

mind

G3563

the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning

καὶ19 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

20 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνείδησις21 of 21

conscience

G4893

co-perception, i.e., moral consciousness


Study Guide

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 1:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Titus 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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