Notes: Titus 1:11

who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.  (Titus 1:11)

Paul tells Titus that the rebellious,  the gossipers,  the deceivers mentioned in verse 10 must be silenced.  This is a no-compromise stance.  There is no “conversation”.  No “meeting of the minds” in any of this.  Their position is known by their words and their actions.  Put a stop to it Paul says. It isn’t just affecting those in leadership.  Whole families are impacted.

They are teaching things they should not be teaching for the sake of sordid gain.

What should be taught?

Titus 1:3 Word
Titus 1:9 Word, the teaching, sound doctrine

What is ’sordid gain’?

It is easy to call out money as ’sordid gain’.  The KJV uses the word “lucre” which we interpret as money.  But the word lucre comes from the Latin word “lucrum”, which means ‘material gain, profit’.

It shouldn’t be assumed that if there isn’t any money passing hands, then everything is on the up and up.  Profit and benefit comes in many forms.  Position and power are benefits that don’t always center on money.  And not all profit or benefit is wrong.  The key here is sordid, or shameful, gain.

Soli Deo gloria

Our teaching, our actions should be for God’s glory alone. 

God is glorified when He is obeyed.  The rebellious teacher abhors obedience to the word. 

God is glorified by profitable conversations.  The vain talkers speak empty platitudes that make the hearer feel good about themselves and about the talker.  It boosts the ego of the talker and the hearer.  But there isn’t any message of true value in what they say. 

God is glorified when Truth is preached.  The deceiver does not teach the Word.  He does not engage in sound doctrine.  His intent it to lead hearers away from God.

Tags: doctrine, rebellious, soli deo gloria, teacher