Titus 1:13
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
This witness is true. Why rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
American King James Version (AKJV)
This witness is true. Why rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
American Standard Version (ASV)
This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Basic English Translation (BBE)
This witness is true. So say sharp words to them so that they may come to the right faith,
Webster's Revision
This testimony is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
World English Bible
This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
English Revised Version (ERV)
This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Definitions for Titus 1:13
Clarke's Titus 1:13 Bible Commentary
This witness is true - What Epimenides said of them nearly 600 years before continued still to be true. Their original character had undergone no moral change.
Rebuke them sharply - Αποτομως· Cuttingly, severely; show no indulgence to persons guilty of such crimes.
That they may be sound in the faith - That they may receive the incorrupt doctrine, and illustrate it by a holy and useful life.
Barnes's Titus 1:13 Bible Commentary
This witness is true - That is, this testimony long before borne by one of their own number, was true when the apostle wrote to Titus. The fact that this was the general Character of the people, was a reason why he should be on his guard in introducing men into the ministry, and in the arrangement of affairs pertaining to the church. That it was true, see proofs in Wetstein.
Wherefore rebuke them - Notes, 2 Timothy 4:2.
Sharply - ἀποτόμως apotomōs - "cuttingly, severely" - from ἀποτέμνω apotemnō, "to cut off." The word is used here in the sense of severity, meaning that the reproof should be such as would be understood, and would show them plainly the wickedness of such traits of character. He was not to be mealy-mouthed, but he was to call things by their right names, and not to spare their faults. When men know that they are doing wrong, we should tell them so in few words; if they do not know it, it is necessary to teach them, in order to convince them of their error.
That they may be sound in the faith - That they may not allow the prevailing vices to corrupt their views of religion.