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Paul's use of the poet's line about Cretans
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Oecumenius opens by explaining why Paul, after quoting the pagan poet's line about Cretans, added that this testimony is true.
The 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 Tit 1,12®13a Ἐπειδὴ ὁ ποιητὴς ὁ εἰρηκὼς τὸ Κρῆτες ἀεὶ ψεῦσται, κακὰ θηρία,
γαστέρες ἀργαί, ἐπιλαμβανόμενος αὐτῶν εἶπεν ὡς κακῶς δεικνύντων τάφον ∆ιὸς
τὸν οὐκ ὄντα, ἐχρήσατο δὲ τῷ αὐτῷ στίχῳ Παῦλος, ἴνα μὴ νομισθῇ τῷ ποιητῇ
συντρέχειν καὶ τῷ λεγομένῳ ∆ιῒ μαρτυρεῖν ἀθανασίαν, ἐπήγαγεν· ἡ μαρτυρία αὕτη
ἀληθής ἐστιν. ἐκεῖνος ἐψεύσατο τῷ ∆ιῒ συνηγορῶν, ἐγὼ δὲ ἀληθεύω λέγων ὅτι οἱ
Κρῆτες ἀεὶ ψεῦσταί εἰσιν καὶ γαστέρες ἀργαί. αὕτη ἡ μαρτυρία ἀληθής, οὐκ ἐκείνη.
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 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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