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Titus 1:15

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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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Titus 1:15 presents a profound spiritual principle contrasting internal purity with spiritual defilement. The Apostle Paul, through his letter to Titus, addresses the core issue of genuine godliness versus outward religious observance.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's instructions to Titus, whom he left in Crete to organize the churches and appoint elders (Titus 1:5). Paul is warning against false teachers, particularly those "of the circumcision" (Titus 1:10), who emphasized external rituals, dietary laws, and Jewish fables, rather than true faith and sound doctrine. The people of Crete were notorious for their deceitful and lazy character, as Paul quotes a Cretan prophet in Titus 1:12. Against this backdrop, Paul highlights that true purity originates from within, not from adherence to external rules or avoidance of certain foods, which was a common point of contention among early Christians (e.g., Romans 14:14).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of Purity: The verse asserts that for those who are genuinely "pure" in heart and spirit, all things are perceived and used purely. This purity isn't about avoiding certain foods or objects, but about a sanctified inner state, cleansed by faith in Christ. It echoes the sentiment of "Blessed are the pure in heart".
  • The Impact of Defilement: Conversely, for those "defiled and unbelieving," nothing is pure. Their spiritual corruption taints everything they encounter or do. Their inner state is so compromised that even their "mind and conscience" are defiled. This indicates a deep-seated moral and spiritual corruption that distorts their perception of truth and righteousness.
  • Internal vs. External: This passage strongly emphasizes that true purity is an internal condition, not merely an external one. It challenges legalistic approaches that focus on outward observance while neglecting the state of the heart.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "pure" here is katharos (καθαρός), which signifies clean, unmixed, free from defilement, either physically or morally. It speaks to a state of being cleansed. The word for "defiled" is miainō (μιαίνω), meaning to stain, to pollute, or to contaminate. When applied to the mind and conscience, it suggests a profound corruption that impacts one's ability to discern truth and righteousness, making them morally impure. The term "unbelieving" (ἀπίστοις, apistois) links defilement directly to a lack of faith, implying that true purity is intrinsically connected to belief and trust in God.

Practical Application

Titus 1:15 serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual health begins within. It encourages believers to prioritize the purification of their hearts and minds through faith in Christ, rather than getting caught up in external rules or superficial observances. For those struggling with spiritual discernment or feeling overwhelmed by external pressures, this verse calls for introspection: Is my heart pure? Am I truly believing? A defiled mind and conscience can lead to spiritual blindness and a distorted view of God's truth. Cultivating a pure heart through prayer, repentance, and obedience to God's Word enables us to see and experience God's world and His will in a genuinely pure way, as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 14:14 (19 votes)

    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 (15 votes)

    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 (12 votes)

    ¶ 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 (9 votes)

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:3 (9 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

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

  • Romans 14:23 (8 votes)

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