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by Katie Erickson

This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.
- Titus 1:13-14

In our culture of tolerance, soft-spoken disagreement, and discomfort with confrontation, Paul’s words to Titus may strike a nerve. They are firm, unapologetic, and directive. Paul has just described the false teachers troubling the Cretan churches (those who are “rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception as in Titus 1:10), and now he gives Titus explicit instructions: “Rebuke them sharply.”

Why is Paul so direct? Because souls are at stake. Sound doctrine is essential to the health of the church, and spiritual disease cannot be ignored. Just as a surgeon must cut to remove cancer, so a pastor or church leader must sometimes rebuke falsehood to preserve the faith community.

Paul left Titus in Crete with the task of setting the churches in order and appointing elders (Titus 1:5). The church there was young, vulnerable, and facing infiltration by false teachers, particularly from the circumcision group, who were likely promoting a blend of Jewish legalism and speculative myths.

Crete had a reputation for moral laxity. Just before this in verse 12, Paul quoted a Cretan poet: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” Paul affirms this assessment, not to stereotype the Cretan people, but to point out the moral and cultural backdrop in which the church is being planted. It is in this context that strong leadership and doctrinal integrity are desperately needed.

Paul is not advocating unnecessary harshness. His intent is restoration, not humiliation. The Greek word for “rebuke” means to expose, convict, or bring to light. The word “sharply” intensifies the command, calling for decisive and firm correction. This raises an important question: What does godly correction look like?

When correction is necessary, it must be bold. The health of the body of Christ depends on courageous leaders who are willing to speak truth even when it’s unpopular. This rebuke is not for minor disagreements but for teaching that undermines the gospel. Correction must also be purposeful. The goal of rebuke is not punishment, but spiritual healing. Paul wants these individuals to become “sound in the faith.” Though correction can be sharp, it is an act of love. The church must learn to see confrontation through a redemptive lens—it is a gift when done with humility, patience, and love.

Paul identifies two elements of the false teaching that need to be called out: Jewish myths and human commands.

The Jewish myths were likely legends or speculative stories rooted in Jewish traditions but not grounded in Scripture. They may have included elaborations on genealogies or allegorical interpretations of the law (see 1 Timothy 1:4 and 4:7). These myths created distractions from the gospel, offering complex teachings that appeared “deep” but were empty of life-changing truth. In today’s church, the equivalent might be the obsession with speculative end-times timelines, fringe theological theories, or overemphasis on minor doctrines that distract from the centrality of Christ.

Human commands refer to legalistic rules imposed by religious teachers that had no basis in God’s Word. Jesus warned of such traditions in Mark 7:7-8: “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” These teachers were adding burdens to people’s lives, likely telling them that faith in Christ was not enough—that circumcision or dietary laws were also necessary. This form of legalism is not just a first-century problem. Modern equivalents include teachings that reduce Christianity to behavior management, performance-based religion, or rigid systems of control not found in the New Testament.

Just as Titus had to confront error, church leaders today must be vigilant in guarding the pulpit and teaching ministries. Elders, pastors, and teachers are accountable to God for what is taught under their leadership. Churches must be discerning when selecting curriculum, inviting guest speakers, or endorsing books. Theological error often creeps in subtly, not always with overt heresy, but through messages that dilute the gospel or promote man-centered spirituality.

When correction is necessary, it must be done with the goal of restoration, not alienation. Paul offers similar wisdom in Galatians 6:1: “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” But gentleness does not mean weakness. A church unwilling to correct error is a church compromising the truth. Leaders must be willing to speak directly when the gospel is at stake. In an age where calling something “false” is seen as offensive, the church must remember that eternal souls are far more valuable than public opinion.

Paul’s goal was that people be “sound in the faith.” This implies an ongoing process of spiritual formation. Churches must prioritize teaching theology, not just inspirational messages. Sound doctrine grounds believers in truth, protects them from deception, and fuels godly living. Every believer should be equipped to recognize false teaching and cling to biblical truth. The best defense against deception is saturation in Scripture.

While this passage speaks to leaders, it also applies to every believer. Sound doctrine is not just the pastor’s job; it’s the foundation of every Christian life. Are we open to correction? Or do we resist it, thinking we are above it? When we read Scripture, do we allow it to expose us? Do we welcome godly counsel and correction from others? Are we growing deeper in the truths of the gospel, or drifting into myths, fads, or human philosophies?

A healthy church is not one without conflict; it’s one that handles conflict biblically. May we be the kind of people, leaders, and communities who love truth, correct error, and build one another up until we all reach maturity in Christ.

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