Correcting False Teachers

(1 Timothy 1:3–11)

10 For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of [the] circumcision, 11 who must be silenced. For [the] sake of dishonorable gain, [they] undermine entire households [and] teach things they should not. 12 [As] one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans [are] always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”[fn]

13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 [and] will pay no attention to Jewish myths [or] [to the] commands of men who have rejected the truth.

15 To the pure, all things [are] pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing [is] pure. Indeed, both their minds and [their] consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by [their] actions they deny [Him]. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.