Titus 1:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Unto the pure {G2513} all things {G3956} are pure {G3303}{G2513}: but {G1161} unto them that are defiled {G3392} and {G2532} unbelieving {G571} is nothing {G3762} pure {G2513}; but {G235} even {G2532} their {G846} mind {G3563} and {G2532} conscience {G4893} is defiled {G3392}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To all who are themselves pure, everything is pure. But to those who are defiled and without trust, nothing is pure — even their minds and consciences have been defiled.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Titus 1:15 articulates a profound spiritual principle that distinguishes between genuine inner purity and spiritual defilement, asserting that one's internal state fundamentally determines how all external realities are perceived and engaged. For those whose hearts are cleansed by faith, everything is pure and can be used for God's glory; conversely, for those who are defiled by unbelief, nothing remains pure, as their corrupted minds and consciences taint their entire perception and interaction with truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's instructions to Titus regarding the qualifications and conduct of elders in the Cretan churches, immediately following a stern warning against false teachers. Paul has just exhorted Titus to "rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" [Titus 1:13](/titus/1-13 "Titus 1:13 - The Need for Sharp Rebuke"). The "them" refers to the "many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision" [Titus 1:10](/titus/1-10 "Titus 1:10 - The Problem of False Teachers"), who were subverting households by teaching things they ought not, for dishonest gain. These false teachers often emphasized external rituals, dietary laws, and Jewish fables, leading people away from true godliness. Verse 15 directly refutes their legalistic and superficial understanding of purity by shifting the focus from external observances to the internal condition of the heart and mind.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Crete, where Titus was ministering, was known for its difficult and morally lax culture. Paul himself quotes a Cretan prophet, Epimenides, in [Titus 1:12](/titus/1-12 "Titus 1:12 - The Character of the Cretans"), stating, "The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies." This cultural backdrop of deceit, laziness, and moral corruption made the task of establishing sound doctrine and godly living particularly challenging. Furthermore, the presence of "those of the circumcision" [Titus 1:10](/titus/1-10 "Titus 1:10 - The Problem of False Teachers") indicates a strong influence of Jewish legalism, which often focused on ceremonial purity, dietary restrictions, and adherence to traditions rather than a heart transformed by the Gospel. Paul's teaching in [Titus 1:15](/titus/1-15 "Titus 1:15 - Purity of Heart") directly confronts this externalism, asserting that true purity is an internal, spiritual reality, not a matter of outward adherence to rules.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Titus 1](/titus/1 "Titus 1 - Qualifications for Elders and Warning Against False Teachers") is the establishment of sound doctrine and godly order within the church, contrasting it sharply with the destructive influence of false teaching. Within this chapter, [Titus 1:15](/titus/1-15 "Titus 1:15 - Purity of Heart") contributes significantly to the theme of **true purity versus externalism**. It underscores that genuine godliness stems from an internal state of being, cleansed by faith, rather than from adherence to ceremonial laws or avoidance of certain foods, a concept Paul also addresses in [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14 - Nothing is Unclean in Itself"). Another key theme is the **corrupting nature of unbelief and defilement**. The verse highlights how a defiled mind and conscience, rooted in unbelief, distort one's perception and render everything impure, demonstrating the profound spiritual consequences of rejecting truth. This ties into the broader call for spiritual discernment and adherence to "sound doctrine" [Titus 1:9](/titus/1-9 "Titus 1:9 - Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine") that permeates the entire letter.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pure (Greek, _katharós'_):** This word (G2513) signifies being clean, unmixed, or free from defilement, whether literally or figuratively. In this context, it refers to a moral and spiritual state of being cleansed and uncorrupted, particularly in one's inner disposition and motives. It is not merely about ceremonial cleanliness but about an internal sanctification that influences one's entire perception and interaction with the world.
* **defiled (Greek, _miaínō'_):** Derived from G3392, this verb means to sully, taint, pollute, or contaminate. When applied to the mind and conscience, it describes a deep moral and spiritual corruption that stains one's inner being, rendering them impure and incapable of discerning truth or righteousness. This defilement is not superficial but penetrates to the core of one's understanding and moral faculty.
* **unbelieving (Greek, _ápistos'_):** This term (G571) denotes a state of being without Christian faith, actively disbelieving, or being untrustworthy. In [Titus 1:15](/titus/1-15 "Titus 1:15 - Purity of Heart"), it directly links the state of defilement to a lack of faith in God and His truth. It suggests that spiritual impurity is intrinsically tied to a rejection of divine revelation and a refusal to trust in God's redemptive work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Unto the pure all things are pure":** This clause establishes the foundational principle that for those whose hearts and intentions are genuinely pure—cleansed by faith in Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit—all aspects of creation and life are pure. This does not imply moral relativism, but rather that a pure heart perceives and uses things in a way that aligns with God's will, free from the defiling influence of sin, legalism, or superstition. It speaks to a sanctified perspective where even ordinary things can be received with gratitude and used for God's glory.
* **"but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled":** This contrasting clause reveals the tragic spiritual reality of those who lack genuine faith and are therefore internally corrupted. For such individuals, nothing is truly pure because their own defiled inner state—their distorted perceptions, corrupted motives, and hardened hearts—contaminates everything they encounter. The emphasis on "mind and conscience" highlights that their very faculties for understanding truth and discerning right from wrong are impaired and polluted, leading to a comprehensive spiritual blindness and moral perversion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Antithesis**, a literary device that contrasts two opposing ideas to highlight their differences. Here, the "pure" are sharply contrasted with the "defiled and unbelieving," and the outcome for each group ("all things are pure" vs. "nothing pure") is presented in stark opposition. This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, emphasizing the radical difference that one's internal spiritual state makes. Furthermore, there is a clear instance of **Parallelism**, specifically antithetical parallelism, where the two clauses mirror each other in structure but present opposing concepts. The phrase "even their mind and conscience is defiled" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or emphatic statement, underscoring the pervasive nature of their defilement, which extends beyond external actions to the very core of their intellectual and moral being.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Titus 1:15 profoundly impacts our understanding of purity, shifting the focus from external observances to the internal condition of the heart. It aligns with the New Testament's consistent emphasis on inward transformation over outward ritualism, asserting that true defilement originates not from what enters a person, but from what proceeds from within, as Jesus taught. This verse underscores the critical role of faith in spiritual purity, demonstrating that unbelief is not merely an intellectual assent but a moral and spiritual state that corrupts one's entire being, leading to a distorted perception of truth and reality. It highlights that genuine purity is a gift of God, received through faith, which then enables a sanctified perspective on all of life.

* [Matthew 15:10-11](/matthew/15-10-11 "Matthew 15:10-11 - What Defiles a Person")
* [Romans 14:20](/romans/14-20 "Romans 14:20 - All Things Are Pure")
* [Luke 11:39-41](/luke/11-39-41 "Luke 11:39-41 - Inner Purity vs. Outer Cleanliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Titus 1:15 serves as a potent reminder that our spiritual health and the way we perceive the world are fundamentally shaped by the condition of our hearts. It challenges us to look beyond superficial religious practices and to examine the true state of our inner being. If our hearts are pure—cleansed by faith in Christ and continually renewed by His Spirit—then we are equipped to engage with all of life in a way that honors God, seeing His hand in all things and using them for His glory. Conversely, if our minds and consciences are defiled by unbelief, cynicism, or unconfessed sin, then everything we encounter, even good things, can become tainted and lead us astray. This verse calls us to prioritize the cultivation of a pure heart through consistent repentance, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and diligent study of God's Word, ensuring that our inner world is aligned with God's truth, enabling us to discern His will clearly and live a life that genuinely reflects His purity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to focus on external rules or appearances rather than the purity of my heart?**
* **How might my "mind and conscience" be defiled by unbelief or unconfessed sin, and what steps can I take to seek cleansing and renewal?**
* **How does a pure heart enable me to see and use "all things" for God's glory, even in challenging circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Does "all things are pure" mean that there are no moral absolutes or that anything is permissible?**

Answer: No, "all things are pure" in [Titus 1:15](/titus/1-15 "Titus 1:15 - Purity of Heart") does not negate moral absolutes or endorse a relativistic view where anything is permissible. Instead, it speaks to the spiritual perspective of a person whose heart is pure. For such an individual, external things (like certain foods, activities, or social interactions that legalists might deem inherently "unclean") are not inherently defiling. The purity or impurity comes from the heart and conscience of the one engaging with them. As Paul states elsewhere, "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean" [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14 - Nothing is Unclean in Itself"). The verse emphasizes that true defilement originates from within, from a corrupted mind and conscience, not from external objects or situations. A pure heart is able to discern, receive, and use things in a way that is consistent with God's will and for His glory, while a defiled heart will corrupt even inherently good things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Titus 1:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ, who is the source and embodiment of all purity. Humanity's inherent defilement and unbelief, which corrupts the mind and conscience, is precisely what Christ came to redeem. He is the one who, "through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God," thereby cleansing "your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Sacrifice"). It is through faith in His atoning sacrifice that believers are made "pure," not by their own efforts or adherence to external rules. Christ's work on the cross purifies us from the inside out, transforming our defiled minds and consciences into instruments of righteousness. As the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), He offers a radical cleansing that enables us to see "all things" as pure, because our relationship with God is restored and our perspective is sanctified by His indwelling Spirit. This internal transformation, wrought by Christ, empowers believers to live lives of genuine purity, reflecting His holiness in every aspect. Indeed, He "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" [Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Christ's Purpose to Purify").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

Romans 14:20

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil for that man who eateth with offence.

1 Corinthians 10:23

¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Matthew 15:18

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:4

For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.