This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Parallel translations
- WEB This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- BSB This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
- NKJV This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- NASB This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
- NLT This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul affirms the saying is true and tells Titus to rebuke such people sharply so they may become sound in faith. It matters because firm correction aims at restoration, not mere condemnation.
Overview
Paul agrees the description fits, and so directs Titus to reprove sharply. The goal is redemptive: 'that they may be sound in the faith.' Loving, truthful confrontation is meant to bring people to spiritual health, reflecting God's own discipline of those He loves.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 1 Tim 5:20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- Titus 2:2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
- Titus 2:15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
- 2 Tim 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
- 2 Cor 13:10Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
- Prov 27:5Open rebuke is better than secret love.
- 1 Tim 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
- Ps 141:5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
- 2 Cor 7:8–12For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
- Ps 119:80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
- Lev 19:17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 1:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.