Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

TITUS 1:15KJV
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Titus 1:15 (KJV)

What does Titus 1:15 mean?

Titus 1:15 contrasts people who are pure with those who are defiled and unbelieving. Paul connects how people regard things with their inner condition: the defiled person’s mind and conscience are themselves affected.

After warning about commands that turn people from the truth, Paul shifts attention to the people making judgments about purity. The final phrase, “their mind and conscience is defiled,” brings the contrast inward to their thinking and sense of right and wrong.

The Greek behind Titus 1:15

  • “pure” — καθαρός (katharos): The word carries the sense of clean or pure. Here Paul uses it both for people and for the things they regard as pure, linking the two uses of “pure” in the sentence.
  • “defiled” — μιαίνω (miainō): The word means to stain or make unclean. The Greek describes those people as already defiled and uses the same word for the condition of their mind and conscience.
  • “conscience” — συνείδησις (syneidēsis): The word refers to an inner awareness of right and wrong. Its place beside “mind” shows that Paul is speaking about both their thinking and their moral judgment.

Why Titus 1:15 matters

  • The verse addresses a dispute about purity in its setting. The preceding verse mentions “commandments of men” that turn people from the truth, so Paul’s contrast speaks to the authority of such demands.
  • “All things are pure” is not a declaration that every action is good. The verse is contrasting people’s relation to purity, while verse 16 goes on to describe people whose actions deny their claim to know God.

Where else these words appear

“defiled” Greek G3392 · used in 4 verses

  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
  • Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
  • Jude 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

“unbelieving” Greek G571 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

“mind” Greek G3563 · used in 22 verses

  • Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
  • Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“pure” Greek G2513 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
  • James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.