Matthew Henry Commentary Titus 1:10-16

"For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre`s sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 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. They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." — Titus 1:10-16 (ASV)

False teachers are described. Faithful ministers must oppose them promptly, so that, their folly being exposed, they may not proceed further. They had a corrupt motive in what they did, serving a worldly interest under the pretense of religion; for the love of money is the root of all evil. Such individuals should be resisted and put to shame by sound doctrine from the Scriptures.

Shameful actions, a disgrace even among unbelievers, should be entirely absent from Christians. Falsehood and lying, envious craft and cruelty, brutal and sensual practices, and idleness and sloth are sins condemned even by the light of nature. But Christian meekness is as far from cowardly overlooking sin and error as it is from anger and impatience. And though there may be national differences of character, yet the heart of man in every age and place is deceitful and desperately wicked.

But the sharpest rebukes must aim for the good of those being rebuked; and soundness in the faith is most desirable and necessary. To those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; they abuse and turn lawful and good things into sin. Many profess to know God, yet in their lives deny and reject him.

Consider the miserable state of hypocrites, those who have a form of godliness but are without its power. Yet, let us not be so quick to accuse others of this, but rather be careful that it does not apply to ourselves.