Titus 1:15

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” – Titus 1:15

In the previous verse, Paul refers to the Jewish fables and commandments of men that cause people to turn from the truth. Now he makes an interesting statement:

“To the pure all things are pure.” – we are talking about the “pure” as in the people (Matt 5:8) ‘The Pure in Heart’. These are those who understand that righteousness is by faith and they are aware of the dangers of the Jewish system of ritual and ceremony and Jewish fables as previously stated.

“but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure” – Those who are not been converted (the insubordinate, the idle talkers, the deceivers) and who do not know that righteousness is by faith. They are the ‘unbelieving’, who refuse to heed Paul’s teaching of the gospel, these are the  ‘gainsayers’ of verse 9.

“but even their mind and conscience are defiled” – Their way of thinking, their attitude, the consciousness of moral right and wrong is dulled when the mind elects to dwell on unsanctified things. Under such circumstances, the conscience cannot function effectively. It is like a magnetized compass it ceases to be an accurate and reliable guide.

An application:

As an “overseer”, Lord, guide me, please ensure that I have a pure faith, simple and trusting in your righteousness, and being guided by your wisdom. Help me to be the ‘overseer’ that knows how to handle these kinds of people. Amen.