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Can you explain Titus 1:14?


Introduction. This verse says: "Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." As many of you know, Paul wrote this letter to a young preacher named Titus (Titus 1: 1-4). In it, Paul instructs Titus what to preach and how to live. Titus was to "...speak thou the things which become sound doctrine"  (2: 1) and "avoid foolish questions, genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law..." (3: 9).

Titus would encounter Jewish teachings. This letter is filled with warnings concerning false doctrines which were Jewish in origin and nature. Paul explained, "for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision" (1: 10). The keeping of genealogies now was unimportant because it no longer mattered if one was of Jewish descent (3: 1; cf. Gal. 3: 25-29). Justification is "by His grace" Paul emphasized to Titus (3: 7). "Jewish fables" were Jewish myths and teachings while the "commandments of men" were teachings which found their origin in men as opposed to God (see Matt. 15: 9).

Jewish fables and the commandments of men turn from the truth. Appreciate the fact that Paul essentially telling Titus that truth is concrete as opposed to fluid - if we can be turned from the truth, we can possess the truth (see John 8: 32; 1 Pet. 1: 22-23). Jewish fables and the commandments of men are inconsistent with truth; hence, they turn from it (see Matt. 15: 3-9). When men teach that all you have to do to be saved is have faith only, they are turning from the truth (Jas. 2: 24-26; Heb. 5: 8-9). When men teach all you have to do to render acceptable worship is just be sincere, they are leading people away from the truth (John 4: 24). In essence, every time false doctrine is taught, the result is moving people away from the truth.

Conclusion. Preachers today would do well to heed the instruction found in Titus.  Audiences, too, need to carefully compare what they hear with truth found in the scriptures.
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