Titus 1:12
What does Titus 1:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Titus 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Titus 1:12 means
Paul cites a Cretan voice—a prophet of their own—who called Cretans liars, vicious like wild beasts, and lazy gluttons. He uses a self-assessment from within their culture to highlight the moral atmosphere Titus faces. This is not a blanket condemnation of every person from Crete, but an acknowledgment of widely recognized tendencies. The gospel does not ignore context; it meets people where they are with transforming truth. Recognizing cultural sins helps shepherds apply God’s word more wisely. Titus must not be naïve about the setting in which he appoints leaders and challenges error. Grace is realistic about the human heart and hopeful about God’s power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.
KJV
King James Version · 1611One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949One of their prophets has said, The men of Crete are ever false, evil beasts, lovers of food, hating work.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said--`Cretans! always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752One of them a prophet of their own, said: The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slothful bellies.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890One of themselves, a prophet of their own, has said, Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons.
Context
After describing the false teachers and their damage (vv. 10–11), Paul quotes a local testimony to underscore the seriousness of the Cretan context. This sets up his call for sharp rebuke in the next verse (v. 13). The flow moves from problem description to cultural corroboration, supporting the need for decisive pastoral correction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:11
Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.
- 1 Timothy 4:2
through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
- 2 Peter 2:15
forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
- 2 Peter 2:12
But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,
- Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
- Jude 1:8
Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.
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