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

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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.

Since 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

Tit 1,13b Ἐπειδὴ πολλάκις ἐπαινῶν ἐπιείκειαν ἐκδιδάσκει, εὗρεν δὲ τοὺς Κρῆτας

χρείαν ἔχοντας ὥσπερ κέντρου τῆς ἐπιπλήξεως, διὰ τοῦτο εἶπεν ὅτι ἀποτόμως

ἔλεγχε. Tit 1,15®16 Πάντα μὲν καθαρὰ τοῖς καθαροῖς. ὁ θεὸς πάντα καθαρὰ ἐποίησεν·

εἰ δὲ ἀκάθαρτά ἐστιν, ἡ κατηγορία τοῦ δημιουρ345 γήσαντος ἅπτεται.

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.