John Calvin Commentary Titus 1:13

"This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith," — Titus 1:13 (ASV)

This testimony is true. However worthy the witness may have been, yet the truth which has been spoken by him is acknowledged by Paul. The inhabitants of Crete, of whom he speaks with such sharpness, were undoubtedly very wicked. The Apostle, who is accustomed to reprove mildly those who deserved to be treated with extreme severity, would never have spoken so harshly of the Cretans if he had not been moved by very strong reasons. What term more reproachful than these disgraceful epithets can be imagined: that they were lazy, devoted to the belly, destitute of truth, evil beasts? Nor are these vices charged against one or a few persons, but he condemns the whole nation.

It was truly a wonderful purpose of God that he called a nation so depraved, and so infamous on account of its vices, to be among the first who should partake of the gospel; but his goodness is not less worthy of admiration in having bestowed heavenly grace on those who did not even deserve to live in this world. In that country so corrupt, as if in the midst of hell, the Church of Christ held a position and continued to be extended, though it was infected by the corruption of the evils which prevailed there. For here Paul not only reproves those who were strangers to the faith, but expressly reproves those who had made a profession of Christianity. Perceiving that these vices so hateful have already taken root and are spreading far and wide, he does not spare the reputation of the whole nation, so that he may attempt to care for those for whom there was some hope of healing.

Wherefore rebuke them sharply. An important part of the circumspection and prudence with which a bishop should be endowed is that he regulates his manner of teaching according to the dispositions and conduct of people. We must not deal with obstinate and unruly persons in the same manner as with those who are meek and teachable. For, in instructing the latter, we should use such mildness as is suitable to their teachable disposition, while the stubbornness of the former must be severely corrected, and (as the saying is) for a bad knot there must be a bad wedge. The reason why Titus should be sharper and more severe in rebuking them has already been stated: namely, that they are evil beasts.

That they may be sound in the faith. Whether the soundness or healthfulness is here contrasted with the diseases he has mentioned, or whether he simply commands them to remain in the sound faith, is uncertain. I prefer the latter view. As they are already exceedingly vicious and may easily be corrupted more and more, he wishes them to be kept more closely and strictly within the pure faith.