"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)

Titus One Condemns the Cretian Jews



by Stuart DiNenno


How many people realize that in the passage quoted below Paul the apostle was not only condemning the Cretians, but particularly condemning the Cretian Jews?

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 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. 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. 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.” (Titus 1:7-16)

Notice that Paul singles out “they of the circumcision” as being “specially” given to being “unruly and vain talkers and deceivers.” (verse 10)

Paul calls their lies, not just fables but “Jewish fables.” (verse 1:14)

He is condemning them (Jews) for teaching the “commandments of men” (verse 1:14) as if they are the commandments of God, just as Jesus did: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9) “And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (Mark 7:9)

When Paul says “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (verse 16) he is referring to the same ones (Jews) whom Jesus condemned in the same way when He said “…ye [Jews] say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him…” (John 8:54-55) and “…these things will they [Jews] do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:3)

This is only one of numerous passages in the New Testament Scriptures that single out the Jews for particular condemnation.

Leave a Comment