Titus 1:10-14 NLT

[10] For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. [11] They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. [12] Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.” [13] This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. [14] They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.

            In the qualifications Titus was to use to appoint elders in the congregations on Crete, Paul pointed out the elders should have a strong faith in the gospel so they can encourage believers and show them any errors they may begin to believe.  The reason this spiritual strength is so important is there were people who were leading disciples away from the simplicity and truth of the good news by teaching that Gentiles have to be circumcised and follow the Jewish traditions and the law given by Moses in order to be saved.

            The elders were given the responsibility of making sure the new believers were not deceived into following erroneous teaching that came from people who were spreading false doctrines merely for the sake of being paid as teachers within the churches.  Remember that anyone could set up a school of thought, recruit students and collect tuition from the students for attending their lessons during this time in history.  The church elders were to reprimand those who were doing this.

            The statement quoted about the poor character of the inhabitants of Crete was included, in my opinion, to accentuate the selfish, greedy nature of the teachers who were trying to take advantage of disciples by adding their own ideas to the doctrines Paul and his missionary team had introduced to the people.  These false teachers were to be identified, reprimanded and corrected as needed.            Unfortunately, in our modern society we still have false teachers who add to the simplicity of the good news.  We still have people who set up schools of thought based on myths or selfish agendas that distort the gospel and present opinion or traditions as requirements for being in right relationship with God.  These false teachers still need to be identified and opposed by the elders.

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