Titus 1:15

To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses Titus regarding the correction of rebellious individuals in Crete, immediately contrasting the pure with those who reject the truth and deny God through their actions.

The words — The text uses καθαρὰ (kathara, pure) and μεμιαμμένοις (memiammenois, defiled) to describe how external things are categorized based on the observer's spiritual state. These terms establish that purity or defilement is not inherent in the object but depends on the moral condition of the person evaluating it.

The thread — This theme appears in Romans 14:14, where Paul states that nothing is unclean in itself, and Romans 14:20, which affirms that all food is clean but warns against destroying God's work over dietary disputes. It also connects to 1 Corinthians 10:23, which distinguishes between what is permissible and what is truly beneficial or edifying.

Why it lands — The verse demands that readers examine their own spiritual condition before judging external practices or objects. It requires acknowledging that a corrupted conscience distorts perception, making self-examination a prerequisite for spiritual discernment.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Romans 14:14 I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
Romans 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.
1 Corinthians 10:23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
1 Timothy 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Matthew 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.
Romans 14:23 But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.
Acts 10:15 The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
Luke 11:39 Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.