By: Thomas F. Booher
"Cretans" might as well be "Martians" to us today. So the Apostle Paul's words below do not make us queasy:
“'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.'” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."
But replace Cretans with any country or race, especially one in your own nation, and perhaps other than applying it to whites, you will immediately begin to object.
"Hispanics are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
"Blacks are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
"Indians are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
"Whites are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
My point is not to say that these statements apply to any or all of these particular races in a one-to-one (though I have no problem saying it applies far more to some than others, and today in our wicked age is a generalization we all could wear to one degree or another) today, but that such applications and inferences are legitimate to make today, and shouldn't be an excommunicable offense simply for making them.
Further, Paul's purpose here in calling out the Cretans, and we could say today any people or city or race or nation of men, is loving, in order to rightly "rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."
Go to a tribe or people where polygamy, rape, and all sorts of sodomy and sexual immorality is rampant. Rebuke them sharply, and say, "you islanders are sexual beasts, perverse sodomites, bastard children" because "this testimony is true" as Paul says.
That's how the so-called "side-B gay but celibate" crowd should have been dealt with.
Also, preach this way to yourself. Know your own personal, besetting sins. Rebuke yourself sharply, that you may be sound in the faith. You must examine yourself in order to know yourself, and your particular sins and vices, and smite your own breast first, to repent and find forgiveness in Christ, and strength to not only hate but to forsake the sins that we are frankly known for. Known for? Yes, if not known for them by others, or even by ourselves, we are known for them by God, who sees and knows the heart. May we shudder, despair, repent, and believe and cry out for God's mercy. We will surely find it, and find healing and cleansing and power to overcome the sin that so easily ensnares us.
Below is Matthew Henry's extended commentary on Paul's words from Titus 1. At the time of posting this (1/28/2026), the RPCNA denomination has essentially just excommunicated Rev. Samuel Ketcham for saying the same sort of things Puritan Matthew Henry says below:
"The temper of some nations is more inclined to some vices than others. The Cretans were too generally such as here described, slothful and ill-natured, false and perfidious, as the apostle himself vouches. And thence,
4. He instructs Titus how to deal with them: Wherefore rebuke them sharply. When Paul wrote to Timothy he bade him instruct with meekness; but now, when he writes to Titus, he bids him rebuke them sharply. The reason of the difference may be taken from the different temper of Timothy and Titus; the former might have more keenness in his disposition, and be apt to be warm in reproving, whom therefore he bids to rebuke with meekness; and the latter might be one of more mildness, therefore he quickens him, and bids him rebuke sharply. Or rather it was from the difference of the case and people: Timothy had a more polite people to deal with, and therefore he must rebuke them with meekness; and Titus had to do with those who were more rough and uncultivated, and therefore he must rebuke them sharply; their corruptions were many and gross, and committed without shame or modesty, and therefore should be dealt with accordingly. There must in reproving be a distinguishing between sins and sins; some are more gross and heinous in their nature, or in the manner of their commission, with openness and boldness, to the greater dishonour of God and danger and hurt to men: and between sinners and sinners; some are of a more tender and tractable temper, apter to be wrought on by gentleness, and to be sunk and discouraged by too much roughness and severity; others are more hardy and stubborn, and need more cutting language to beget in them remorse and shame. Wisdom therefore is requisite to temper and manage reproofs aright, as may be most likely to do good. Jude 22, 23, Of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. The Cretans’ sins and corruptions were many, great, and habitual; therefore they must be rebuked sharply. But that such direction might not be misconstrued,
5. Here is the end of it noted: That they may be sound in the faith (v. 14), not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth; that is, that they may be and show themselves truly and effectually changed from such evil tempers and manners as those Cretans in their natural state lived in, and may not adhere to nor regard (as some who were converted might be too ready to do) the Jewish traditions and the superstitions of the Pharisees, which would be apt to make them disrelish the gospel, and the sound and wholesome truths of it. Observe, (1.) The sharpest reproofs must aim at the good of the reproved: they must not be of malice, nor hatred, nor ill-will, but of love; not to gratify pride, passion, nor any evil affection in the reprover, but to reclaim and reform the erroneous and the guilty. (2.) Soundness in the faith is most desirable and necessary. This is the soul’s health and vigour, pleasing to God, comfortable to the Christian, and what makes ready to be cheerful and constant in duty. (3.) A special means to soundness in the faith is to turn away the ear from fables and the fancies of men (1 Tim. 1:4): Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, that minister questions rather than godly edifying, which is in faith."
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