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[Rogue One]

Help with Titus 1:15

Now Titus 1:15 is a HUGE verse. "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled."

Does all things mean all things?

Does that mean guns are pure and lovely?

Does that mean that death is pure and lovely?

Does that mean that poverty is lovely?

Does that mean that Hilary Clinton is pure and lovely?

Fellow Christians... What does this verse mean to you and how should it be interpreted?

Thank you in advance!

[jimwalton]

We have to consider what Paul is saying in the context. He is certainly NOT saying, and never says, that Christians can do anything they way, or even think about whatever they want, and remain pure. I could put about a hundred verses here to show that Paul says quite the opposite.

First, a pure-minded person won't let evil things stay in his head or engage in activities that are ungodly.

Second, even if he does let them stay in his head or he starts doing them, that doesn't make them godly. Such thinking is against all the teaching of the Bible.

In the context of Titus 1, Paul is referring to matter of Judaistic practice and ceremonial purifications, among other things, that have been misconstrued and distorted by false teachers (like Luke 11.37-44; Acts 10.9-21, 34, 35). Christ puts purity in the realm of the spirit, automatically doing away with ceremonial purity (1 Tim. 4.7; 5.22; James 1.25-27). Salvation is not by ceremony, but by Christ's sacrifice. Morality is not ritual, but by sanctification in the Spirit.

In answer to your question, Paul's context is Judaism (Titus 1.10, 14). What he is debunking is the laws of ritual purity, teaching instead that in Christ, by His grace, we are free (Titus 2.11-15). He's not talking about guns, death, politics, or poverty.

[Rogue One]

Right. Lovely. Thank you. Great insights!