Written by Paul J Bucknell on December, 06, 2018

Titus 1:15 on All Things Are Pure

The Question on Titus 1:15

When the Apostle Paul addressed the church at Crete, he said in Titus 1:15, “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” [ASV].

In this statement, I believe Paul used “the pure” to refer to the saints, faithful Christians, while the “the defiled and unbelieving” refer to unbelievers, non or fake Christians at Crete respectively.

But my difficulty is how can “all things” become pure, holy, wholesome to the faithful Christian. Whilst there is another counterpart scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 which instructs us to “prove all things and hold fast what is good and pure”?

What has the word of God said on this?

The Discussion on Titus 1:15

Your excellent question helps us zero in on some important issues about the Christian life. Before broadening out this text to refer to, as you say “all things,” let us remember the context.

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision ¹¹ who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain. ¹² One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

¹³ This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed. (NASB)

Paul, from verse 10 to 14, provides the context and setting for verse 15, identifies how some professing believers are, for the sake of money, teaching things they shouldn’t. Paul exhorts Titus to reprove them (1:13) that they may be sound in the faith. Their false teaching somehow lessens the power of the gospel. Perhaps, he is referring to the teaching of the circumcision, “that one needs to be circumcised to be a Christian” or to the Gnostics who were confusing faith with the possession of supposed special knowledge of the path to heaven.

It is only then Paul says, “To the pure, all things are pure…” (15). Their false concepts of the Gospel somehow are linked to some terrible practices (15-16). “By their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed” (16).

So the apostle is referring to the fundamental outlook in life when he mentioned “all things are pure” to the pure, but “nothing is pure” to the defiled. Physically, if we are all muddy, whatever we touch will get muddy. If I am painting and get paint on myself, then I will get more paint over myself and other things. This refers to the general outlook of the ungodly. They are self-focused, seeking to entertain their desires rather than using their time, energies, etc. to help others. In this case, they are willing to sidestep (not to teach) the truth of the Gospel that saves so that they might find profit from it. Perhaps, there is a rich person that pays them to teach an aberrant form of the Gospel. Formerly as part of the church, he, therefore, has access to the Christians there, but he is willing to speak wrongly about the truth so that he can get paid. Maybe he believes it; maybe he doesn’t. This is why Paul says reprove and test whether that person will turn to the truth once confronted.

So “all things are pure” chiefly speaks about one’s heart desires to seek God and not one’s benefits. The word “pure” reflects complete devotion to God’s truth, not willing to compromise it for one’s benefit. We can safely conclude that when our heart is impure, then we will compromise our teachings and our practices to conform to our heart’s corrupt desires. One’s heart has the final say. Now, we should remember that the believer does have a carnal heart but, by God’s grace, he no longer needs to live by it. The believer, now, has a new heart from the Holy Spirit which desires good and holy things.

Positively, the pure men and women of God don’t see other people as pawns to conduct their lusts and desires but as people made in God’s image so that they might care for them. When walking by a prostitute’s house, does one wish he could visit her or does he pray that God would redeem her out of this abusive situation? Our hearts skew our views. Of course, we can cover up what we think and even pray for that prostitute, but if we secretly wish to abuse her, then our sinful hearts are leading us rather than the new heart that desires compassion, justice, and care for all (Eph 5:1-6).

Practical Application on Purity

So let me turn to the more specific issues at hand: Can we use this phrase “all things are pure” to apply to specific areas of the Christian life? Does it mean that all things are pure or as 1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs us, if things are pure, then how do we “prove all things and hold fast what is good and pure”?

First, the pure mind cherishes and lives from a pure heart, the regenerated heart born of the Spirit of God. The believer has a holy heart and desires what is good—even if they have fallen. This is why a believer who has come to repentance is quite willing to confess their sin by acknowledging the good standard which they should hold to. They fell, being ignorant of the evil one’s devices, but they have that holy heart. It is, for this reason, we are to reprove the professing Christian to swing him back to the faith or to expose him for his lack of faith and desire to be holy.

Second, the mature believer has already carefully examined or proven these things, coming to a conclusion that certain things are wrong, and he or she will not participate in them while other things are holy and good and he will fix his heart on them as Paul says, “hold fast to that which is good.” The pure, then, describes those believers who have already habitually proven their faithfulness, that is, made their minds and practices consistent with their pure heart from God.

Proving or examining those issues about us is always important for a believer, but for some—the mature believer, they have done it so often, this process is unconsciously done. So when approaching the prostitute on the right side of the street, already the brother preemptively takes control of his mind, starting to pray for her salvation, thinking of the pain she suffers and seeks God to redeem the whole situation for His glory. The impure, whether he is called a pastor or not, will think about his desire for her. Some openly speak of their evil desires while the religious impure secretly covet it, but both have sexual covetousness ensnaring their hearts.

And so “all things” can properly be related to all aspects of life, for it calls us to live from Christ’s heart within us and live faithfully whether in the area of money, sexual desires, eating, drinking or simply the way we forgive and pass over the sins of others rather than being easily offended. We have the Spirit of Christ.

We need to openly state that being pure does not make evil things good but describes one’s compassionate and caring heart of those who are involved in evil things. When they view evil, they look beyond the action and see the brokenness of people and feel compassion on how the evil one dominates their lives.

Discussion Questions on Titus 1:15

Do you desire holy and good things? Always? When did it begin?
Choose two areas of your life where you are tempted (or used to be) to think (e.g., worry) or do something bad (yell rudely) and how you want to trust the Lord and live out a life like Jesus in that situation.
List a few ways one might “prove” or otherwise “examine” everything (1 Thes 5:21). Do you?