Fragments on Titus

Name: Fragments on Titus
Author: Oecumenius

Fragmenta in epistulam ad Titum

Oecumenius (fl. 6th century AD) · PG 118-119

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Contents4 passages

1Paul's use of the poet's line about Cretans
2Why Paul commands sharp rebuke and why all things are pure to the pure
3Confessing God but denying him by deeds
4Incorruptibility of mind and dignity of work

Author

Oecumenius (fl. 6th century AD) — Greek writer of the 6th century and author of the earliest full Greek commentary on Revelation. Notes on Paul's letters under his name survive in Bible commentary chains.

All works by Oecumenius

About this text

Short notes on Titus: why Paul quotes the poet who called Cretans liars, why he orders sharp rebuke, and how all things are pure to the pure.

Oecumenius wrote these brief comments on selected verses of Paul's Letter to Titus. They survive as fragments in a catena, a chain of excerpts from various interpreters. He addresses interpretive difficulties raised by the text, especially Paul's use of a pagan poet and his instructions about rebuke and purity.

The fragments explain that when Paul quotes the Cretan poet saying 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons,' he does so not to endorse the poet's defense of Zeus's immortality but to affirm the truth of the poet's description of Cretan character. Oecumenius then comments on Paul's command to rebuke the Cretans sharply, noting that while Paul often teaches gentleness, the Cretans needed the sting of reproof.

Oecumenius further explains that all things are pure to the pure because God made all things pure; but if things are impure, the accusation touches the Creator. He also notes that those who profess to know God but deny him by their deeds are impure, and that Paul's mention of reverent behavior shows women are called to an inheritance. Finally, he treats Paul's instructions about Titus's own conduct, distinguishing incorruptibility of mind and dignity of work, so that one abstains not only from corrupt action but also from corrupt thought.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 118 – 119 (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.

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Paul's use of the poet's line about Cretans§1

Oecumenius opens by explaining why Paul, after quoting the pagan poet's line about Cretans, added that this testimony is true.

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1The poet who said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons,” was attacking them for wrongly pointing to a tomb of Zeus that does not exist. Paul used that same line, but so that he would not be thought to agree with the poet and testify to the immortality of the so-called Zeus, he added: “This testimony is true” (Titus 1:13). Paul means: That poet lied when he spoke in defense of Zeus, but Paul speaks the truth when he says that Cretans are always liars and idle gluttons. This testimony is true, not that one.

Greek · §1

The Greek is on each section page: §1

Why Paul commands sharp rebuke and why all things are pure to the pure§2

Oecumenius is explaining Paul's instructions in Titus 1:13b and 1:15-16, first why Paul commands sharp rebuke despite often teaching gentleness, then why all things are pure to the pure.

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2Since Paul often teaches gentleness with praise, but found that the Cretans needed the goad of rebuke, as it were, he said for this reason: “Rebuke sharply” (Titus 1:13). “All things indeed are pure to the pure” (Titus 1:15). God made all things pure; but if they are impure, the accusation touches the one who made them.

Greek · §2

The Greek is on each section page: §2

Confessing God but denying him by deeds§3

Oecumenius is commenting on Titus 1:16 and 2:3, explaining that those who profess to know God but deny him by their deeds are impure, and that Paul's mention of reverent behavior shows women are called to an inheritance.

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3And this is what it means to profess to know God while denying him by their deeds (Titus 1:16). He showed that women are called to an inheritance, for he would not have called them reverent (Titus 2:3).

Greek · §3

The Greek is on each section page: §3

Incorruptibility of mind and dignity of work§4

Oecumenius is commenting on Paul's instruction to Titus about his own conduct, distinguishing the sphere of incorruptibility from the sphere of dignity.

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4He understood incorruptibility as a quality of the mind, and dignity as a quality of one's work, so that a person would keep away not only from corrupt deeds but also from corrupt thoughts.

Greek · §4

The Greek is on each section page: §4

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