For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
Titus 1:10
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you keep me focused on You and not what the world draws me into. Please help me to have a just heart able to give people the benefit of the doubt. Please be with my family, keep them close to You. Thank you for everything, especially that You took the punishment for my depravity. As we celebrate this week, help me not lose sight of You. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
Happy Easter! We are still in the body portion of the letter which focuses on doctrine and encouragement. We are transitioning from the qualifications of an elder to their responsibilities. To bring deeper understanding to today's text, let's examine some key words and their companion or similar verses.
"Insubordinate" in the Greek is anupotaktoswhich means unruly, not subject to rule, disobedient, uncooperative, defiant attitude towards duly appointed authority, uncontrollable, rebellious, that cannot be subjected to control. It is made up of the word, a, which means not and the word, hyprokrites, which means under God's arrangement. In this verse, Paul will be talking about people in the church that trying to gain something from their relationships. Here, Paul describes them as people defiant against God's authority.
"Idle talkers" in the Greek is mataiologoswhich means vain empty talker, talking idly, one who utters empty senseless things, no particular reason-purpose-foundation for talk. This word only appears once in the Bible, here in Titus. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 states "from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm." "Deceivers" in the Greek is phrenapateswhich means seducer, self-deceiving, leading others into their delusions, exploiting those with a narrow mind. This word also only appears once in the Bible, here in Titus. Paul further describes these forces in the church attempting to undermine God's work. They desire to be elders so they can talk about senseless things to exploit those that are gullible.
"Especially" in the Greek is malistawhich means most of all, very much the case, chiefly, above all. "Circumcision" in the Greek is peritomewhich means cut around, the removal of the male foreskin, visible sign of God's covenant in the Old Testament, Jews, they of the circumcision. Acts 11:2 states "So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [certain Jewish believers who followed the Law] took issue with him [for violating Jewish customs]." Although Paul has already warned us of defiant, deceiving, empty talkers, he adds another group that is worse than the first, Jewish believers who strictly follow the Law and customs (legalists).
Let's try to understand the people that Paul is talking about in this verse. These people are disobedient, defiant, uncontrollable, rebellious towards duly appointed authority whether it be church leaders or God Himself. These people utter empty foolish things with no common sense with no understandable purpose, reason, or foundation for the discussion. These people are legalistic and add to the Gospel for what is needed for salvation, that you need the Law, customs, and traditions. All of this is in an effort to accomplish their goal to lead others into their delusions (an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder) specifically to derive some benefit from easily persuaded people.
If you have leaders either in your church, organization, or work, be aware. They will take advantage of you. To spot them, look for these characteristics: Rejects authority that may even reject Biblical teachings, uses charisma to engage you in nonsense, legalistic, and exploits others for their personal gain.
For there are many rebellious men who are empty talkers [just windbags] and deceivers; especially those of the circumcision [those Jews who insist that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law in order to be saved].
Amplified Bible
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