New International VersionOne of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”
New Living TranslationEven one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.”
English Standard VersionOne of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Berean Standard BibleAs one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Berean Literal BibleOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
King James BibleOne of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
New King James VersionOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
New American Standard BibleOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
NASB 1995One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
NASB 1977One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Legacy Standard BibleOne of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Amplified BibleOne of them [Epimenides, a Cretan], a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Christian Standard BibleOne of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleOne of their very own prophets said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.
American Standard VersionOne of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.
Contemporary English VersionIt is like one of their own prophets once said, "The people of Crete always tell lies. They are greedy and lazy like wild animals."
English Revised VersionOne of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are alway liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationEven one of their own prophets said, "Cretans are always liars, savage animals, and lazy gluttons."
International Standard VersionOne of their very own prophets said, "Liars ever, men of Crete, savage brutes that live to eat."
NET BibleA certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
New Heart English BibleOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons."
Webster's Bible TranslationOne of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Weymouth New TestamentOne of their own number--a Prophet who is a countryman of theirs--has said, "Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
World English BibleOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans! Always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies!”
Berean Literal BibleOne of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
Young's Literal Translation A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said -- 'Cretans! always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies!'
Smith's Literal TranslationA certain of them said, their own prophet, The Cretians always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOne of them a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slothful bellies.
Catholic Public Domain VersionA certain one of these, a prophet of their own kind, said: “The Cretans are ever liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
New American BibleOne of them, a prophet of their own, once said, “Cretans have always been liars, vicious beasts, and lazy gluttons.”
New Revised Standard VersionIt was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, “Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOne of them, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cre’tians are always liars, vicious beasts with empty bellies.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishOne man among them, their own Prophet said, “The children of Crete are always liars, wicked beasts and idle bellies.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentOne of themselves, a prophet of their own, has said: The Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons.
Godbey New TestamentA certain one of them, their own prophet, said, The Cretans are all liars, evil beasts, slow stomachs.
Haweis New TestamentOne of them, a poet of their own nation, hath said, The Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, slothful gluttons.
Mace New Testamentone of their own prophets said, "the Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies."
Weymouth New TestamentOne of their own number--a Prophet who is a countryman of theirs--has said, "Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons."
Worrell New TestamentOne of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always false, evil beasts, idle gluttons."
Worsley New Testamentas said one of themselves, a prophet of their own, "The Cretans are always liars, mischievous beasts, sluggish gluttons."
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Correcting False Teachers… 11who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not. 12As oneoftheirownprophetshas said,“Cretansare alwaysliars,evilbeasts,lazygluttons.”13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith…
Cross References Acts 17:28‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
1 Corinthians 15:33Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
2 Timothy 3:2-4For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, / traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Romans 3:13-14“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
Matthew 15:19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
2 Peter 2:12These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
Philippians 3:19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
Ephesians 4:17-19So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. / Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
Colossians 3:5-8Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. ...
1 Peter 4:3For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
Isaiah 56:10-12Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: / “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
Jeremiah 9:3-6“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. ...
Proverbs 26:11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Psalm 14:1-3For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. / The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Micah 7:2-4The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. / Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. / The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.
Treasury of Scripture One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. of. Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. liars. Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 2 Peter 2:12,15 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; … Jump to Previous AlwayAlwaysAnimalsBeastsBelliesBrutesCountrymanCretansCreteDangerousEvilFalse.FoodGluttonsHatingIdleLiarsProphetProphetsSlowTheirsThemselvesWildJump to Next AlwayAlwaysAnimalsBeastsBelliesBrutesCountrymanCretansCreteDangerousEvilFalse.FoodGluttonsHatingIdleLiarsProphetProphetsSlowTheirsThemselvesWildTitus 1 1.Paul greets Titus, who was left to finish the work in Crete.6.How those chosen as ministers ought to be qualified.11.The mouths of evil teachers to be stopped;12.and what manner of men they be.As one of their own prophets has saidThis phrase refers to a statement made by Epimenides, a 6th-century BC poet and philosopher from Crete. Paul uses this quote to address the character of the Cretans, showing his familiarity with their culture and literature. The use of a Cretan source adds credibility to his critique, as it comes from within their own society. This approach is similar to Paul's use of Greek poets in Acts 17:28, where he connects with his audience by referencing familiar cultural figures. “Cretans are always liars
The reputation of Cretans as liars was well-known in the ancient world, so much so that the term "to Cretize" meant to lie. This stereotype is rooted in the myth that the Cretans claimed the tomb of Zeus was on their island, contradicting the belief in Zeus's immortality. This phrase highlights the importance of truthfulness in Christian conduct, contrasting the deceitful nature attributed to the Cretans with the call for integrity inTitus 1:7-9, where church leaders are urged to be blameless and honest. evil beasts
This metaphor suggests a lack of moral restraint and civility, likening the Cretans to wild animals driven by base instincts. In the cultural context, this reflects the perception of Cretans as unruly and undisciplined. The imagery of "beasts" is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as in2 Peter 2:12, to describe those who act contrary to God's will. It underscores the need for transformation through the Gospel, which calls believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1). lazy gluttons.”
This phrase criticizes the Cretans for their indulgence and lack of industriousness. Gluttony and laziness are often condemned in Scripture, as seen inProverbs 23:21, which warns that such behaviors lead to poverty and ruin. The emphasis on self-control and diligence is a recurring theme in the New Testament, particularly in the pastoral epistles, where leaders are encouraged to model these virtues (1 Timothy 3:2). This critique serves as a backdrop for the exhortations inTitus 2:11-14, where believers are called to live disciplined and upright lives. Persons / Places / Events 1. TitusA trusted companion of the Apostle Paul, Titus was a Greek believer who played a significant role in the early church. Paul left him in Crete to organize the church and appoint elders. 2. PaulThe Apostle Paul is the author of the letter to Titus. He was a key figure in the spread of Christianity in the first century and wrote many of the New Testament epistles. 3. CretansThe inhabitants of Crete, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. In this context, they are described using a quote from one of their own prophets. 4. EpimenidesA 6th-century BC philosopher and poet from Crete, traditionally credited with the statement quoted by Paul. He was known for his paradoxical statements and insights. 5. CreteAn island in the Mediterranean, known in ancient times for its moral and ethical challenges, which is why Paul addresses these issues in his letter to Titus. Teaching Points Cultural Context and TruthUnderstanding the cultural context of Crete helps us see why Paul emphasized the need for strong leadership and sound doctrine. We must discern cultural influences in our own lives and align them with biblical truth. The Role of ProphetsEven secular or non-biblical prophets can sometimes speak truth that aligns with God's perspective. We should be discerning about where we find truth and always measure it against Scripture. The Importance of CharacterThe negative traits attributed to Cretans serve as a warning about the importance of character in Christian leadership. We should strive to cultivate virtues that reflect Christ. Guarding Against StereotypesWhile Paul quotes a Cretan prophet, it is important to remember that not all individuals fit cultural stereotypes. We should be cautious about making broad generalizations and instead focus on individual character. The Need for RedemptionThe description of Cretans underscores the universal need for redemption and transformation through Christ. We are all in need of God's grace to overcome our sinful nature. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Titus 1:12?
2.How does Titus 1:12 address the importance of discernment in leadership selection?
3.What cultural insights can we gain from "Cretans are always liars" in Titus 1:12?
4.How does Titus 1:12 connect with biblical teachings on truth and integrity?
5.How can we apply the lessons of Titus 1:12 in our church today?
6.In what ways does Titus 1:12 encourage us to evaluate our personal character?
7.Why does Titus 1:12 quote a Cretan prophet calling Cretans "liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons"?
8.How does Titus 1:12 align with the Bible's message of love and acceptance?
9.What historical context explains the harsh description of Cretans in Titus 1:12?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Titus 1?
11.Is the Cretan's statement "All Cretans are liars" true?
12.Titus 1:12 – Does quoting a Cretan author calling Cretans “always liars” create a paradox or contradiction, especially considering biblical exhortations against false judgments?
13.How can we trust the Bible when there are missing books (e.g., the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas)?
14.Why does Paul quote Greek philosophers (e.g., in Acts 17:28) without distinguishing them from biblical teachings?What Does Titus 1:12 Mean As one of their own prophets has saidPaul reminds Titus that even Cretan literature admits the island’s flaws. By quoting a native voice, he disarms any charge of outsider prejudice and shows how God can use secular testimony to confirm biblical assessment. We see the same method inActs 17:28, where Paul cites Greek poets to reinforce revealed truth. Because “every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15), this appeal to a Cretan “prophet” underlines the reliability of what follows.
“Cretans are always liars”• “Always” highlights a pattern, not an absolute without exception. Yet continual falsehood had become the cultural stereotype. • Scripture repeatedly condemns lying:John 8:44 links it to the devil’s nature;Ephesians 4:25 urges believers to “speak truth each one to his neighbor.” • By contrast, God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). The gospel calls Cretans—and us—to abandon deceit and reflect His character.
evil beasts• The phrase paints a picture of untamed, dangerous behavior, echoingActs 20:29’s warning about “savage wolves” andJude 10’s reference to people who “understand instinctively, like irrational animals.” • Such brutality stands opposite the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Where Christ reigns, harshness gives way to gentleness and self-control.
lazy gluttons• Gluttony joins sloth in a twin indictment: uncontrolled appetite plus unwillingness to work.Proverbs 23:20-21 warns that “drunkards and gluttons grow poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” • Paul later tells the Cretans to “be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1) and elsewhere commands, “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). •Philippians 3:19 describes enemies of the cross whose “god is their belly”; believers are called instead to pursue eternal rewards.
summaryTitus 1:12 exposes the dark reputation of Crete—lying tongues, brutal instincts, and indulgent laziness—using the islanders’ own words as evidence. By spotlighting sin so candidly, Paul sets the stage for the transformative power of sound doctrine (Titus 1:13-14). The same gospel that confronts cultural corruption offers a new identity marked by truth, kindness, diligence, and self-discipline in Christ. (12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said.--St. Paul had spoken ( Titus 1:10-11) in the severest terms of certain influential members of the Cretan Church; he had even alluded to their disastrous teaching ruining whole families, evidently implying that he had perceived among the Cretans a readiness to welcome a teaching which countenanced a laxer moral tone, the invariable result of perverted doctrine; and now he supports his own condemning words by a reference to a well-known Cretan poet--to one who, according to tradition, was even honoured by them as a god. The verse quoted is an hexameter, written by the famous Epimenides, of Gnossus, in Crete. He flourished some 600 years B.C., and is said to have lived to the strange age of 150 years or more. He appears to have deserved the title of prophet in its fullest sense--Plato speaking of him as a "divine man," and Cicero coupling him with the Erythaean Sibyl. The first three words were well known, and even used by Callimachus in his hymn to Zeus, "Cretans always liars." St. Paul's knowledge of the poem where the verse occurs is one of the several instances which we meet with in his writings indicating his familiarity with profane literature. The quotation, occurring as it does in the midst of an inspired writing, was the occasion of Calvin's wise, brave words, which style those who decline to avail themselves of the learning and research of profane writers as superstitious. Nothing wise and learned, he says, should be rejected, even though it proceed "ab impiis." The Cretians are alwayliars.--This terrible estimate of the national Cretan character is amply borne out by the testimony of many profane writers, such as Callimachus, Plato, Polybius, Ovid, &c. The very word "to Cretize" (kretizein), or to play the part of a Cretan, was invented as a word synonymous with "to deceive," "to utter a lie;" just ascorinthiazein. "to play the part of a Corinthian," signified to commit a still darker moral offence. Some writers suggest that this despicable vice of lying was received as a bequest from the early Ph?nician colonists. Evil beasts.--These words refer to their wild, fierce nature, their ferocity, their love of cruelty. Slow bellies.--Rather,idle bellies. These terms paint with sharp accuracy another of the evil characteristics of the Cretan peoples--their dull gluttony, their slothful sensuality. The words are used especially of those who, by indulging their bodily appetites, become corpulent and indolent. Verse 12. - A prophet for even a prophet, A.V.; Cretan, s for the Cretinous, A.V.; idle gluttons for slow bellies, A.V. A prophet of their own; viz. Epimenides, a native either of Phaestus or of Cnossus in Crete, the original author of this line, which is also quoted by Callimachus. Epimenides is here called a prophet, not simply as a poet, but from his peculiar character as priest, bard, and seer; called by Plato θεῖος ἀνήρ, and coupled by Cicero with Bacis the B.C.eotian prophet, and the sibyl (Bishop Ellicott); described by other ancient writers as a prophet (Alford); "everything we hear of him is of a priestly or religious nature" ('Dict. of Gr. and Romans Biogr. and Mythol.'). Cretans are always liars, etc. So truly was this their characteristic, that κρητίζειν was used to denote" telling lies" - "to lie like a Cretan" (Plutarch, etc.). From their general bad character arose the line, Κρῆτες Καππάδοκοι, Κίλικες τρία κάππα κάκιστα; and Livy, Polybius, and Plutarch alike hear witness to their covetousness and dishonesty: ΤιςΚρητῶν οἴδε δικαιοσύνην; "When was there ever an upright Cretan?" asks Leonides in an ' Epigram' (Farrar, ' St. Paul,' vol. it. p. 534). Evil beasts. Θήριον is "a wild beast;" applied to men as a term of reproach ( 1 Corinthians 15:32), it implies brutality, stupidity, unreasonableness, and, with the epithet κακά, mischief, like the French mechante bete. The 'Epigram' above quoted calls them ληισταὶκαὶ ἁλιφθόροι, "pirates and wreckers." Idle gluttons; literally, idle bellies. The substantive denotes their gluttony and sensuality (comp. Romans 16:18; Philippians 3:19, where κοιλία is equivalent to γαστήρ), and the adjective their sloth ( ἀργαί, i.e.ἀεργαί); in old Greek it is usually of the common gender.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek [As] oneτις(tis)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.ofἐξ(ex)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.theirαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.ownἴδιος(idios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2398:Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.prophetsπροφήτης(prophētēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396:From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.has said,εἶπέν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“CretansΚρῆτες(Krētes)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2912:A Cretan, an inhabitant of Crete. From Krete; a Cretan, i.e. Inhabitant of Crete.[are] alwaysἀεὶ(aei)Adverb
Strong's 104:From an obsolete primary noun; 'ever, 'by qualification regularly; by implication, earnestly.liars,ψεῦσται(pseustai)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5583:A liar, deceiver. From pseudomai; a falsifier.evilκακὰ(kaka)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2556:Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.beasts,θηρία(thēria)Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2342:Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.lazyἀργαί(argai)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 692:Idle, lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious. (by implication) lazy, useless.gluttons.”γαστέρες(gasteres)Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1064:The stomach; by analogy, the matrix; figuratively, a gourmand.
Links Titus 1:12 NIVTitus 1:12 NLTTitus 1:12 ESVTitus 1:12 NASBTitus 1:12 KJV
Titus 1:12 BibleApps.comTitus 1:12 Biblia ParalelaTitus 1:12 Chinese BibleTitus 1:12 French BibleTitus 1:12 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: Titus 1:12 One of them a prophet of their (Ti. Tt.) |
