¹⁰For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, ¹¹who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. ¹²One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

While Paul at times could allow for others to preach for sub-spiritual reasons like envy and strife (Phil. 1:15), he did not hold back in hurling his harshest indictment against those who propagated blatantly false teaching. Look at the long lists of character expletives: rebellious men, empty talkers, deceivers, upsetters of families, motivated by sordid gain, liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. The list could go on, but Paul made his point quite well. He would cut no quarter for false teachers.

Of course, his attitude toward those people is not new in this letter, for he had even pointed out some by name. They must be dealt with. One cannot just wish them away. Notice that Paul’s criticism comes right after his qualifications for potential elder appointments. The ones to deal with the false teachers are the elders, and he calls men to step up as men of character and men of the Word. Confronting false teachers must occur on the solid ground of spiritual maturity and commitment to the truth. Men of lesser character will not fight that battle in the right way with the right motives. So the qualifications are essential for protecting the church against false teaching.

What do we make of Paul affirming the Cretan poet who described his own countryman in such a caustic manner? Historians tell us this quote comes from a writer named Epimenides who lived in the fifth and sixth centuries B.C. The Cretan reputation in the ancient world was well established. As one commentator puts it, “Titus had unpromising raw materials to work with—enough to discourage any missionary!” We might suggest that Paul was not criticizing all Cretans, but may have been making the point that the false teachers there epitomized that stereotyped reputation.

In present-day popular Christianity, the emphasis on minimizing doctrine in favor of Christian character may find the pendulum swinging too far to the side. The danger of wrong teaching can be menacingly subtle. The truth of right doctrine must be guarded, and that which is false must be exposed and refuted.

Lord, help me keep the balance of Christlikeness in my character and faithfulness to the truth of apostolic teaching in my mind and heart.