Interesting Words
rebellious men
(ἀνυπότακτος – Greek) – anupotaktos ► Rebellious, insubordinate, not subject to rule, unsubdued, i.e. insubordinate (in fact or temper) – 1Tim 1:9; Heb 2:8;
empty talkers
(ματαιολόγος – Greek) – mataiologos ► empty, vain talker, an idle (i.e. senseless or mischievous) talker, i.e. a wrangler – used only once in the NT
deceivers
(φρεναπατής – Greek) – phrenapatés ► deceiver, from mind, “outlook from insignt” (phren) and mislead, deceive (apatáō), mind-misleader, i.e. seducer – used only once in the NT
upsetting
(ἀνατρέπω – Greek) – anatrepó ► overturn, overthrow, subvert, upset – John 2:15; 2Tim 2:18;
sordid
(αἰσχρός – Greek) – aischros ► Rebellious, disgraceful, improper, not subject to rule, unsubdued, i.e. insubordinate (in fact or temper) – Eph 5:12; Heb 2:8;
sound
(ὑγιαίνω – Greek) – hugiainó ► To be sound, to be healthy, to be well, safe, to be uncorrupt, true in doctrine, in good health, root of the English term, “hygiene”) – Luke 5:31; 1Tim 1:10, 6:3; 2Tim 4:3; 3John 1:2;
myth
(μῦθος – Greek) – muthos ► a myth; a false account, yet posing to be the truth; a fabrication (fable) which subverts (replaces) what is actually true – 1Tim 1:4, 4:7; 2Tim 4:4; 2Peter 1:16;
defiled
(μιαίνω – Greek) – miainó ► verb, stain, defile, pollute, sully, taint, contaminate. The root mia- (“tainted at the source”) – Heb 12:15; Jude 1:8;
know
(εἴδω – Greek) – eidó ► To see, to know, to perceive, to be aware. Compare: ginóskó (ἐπιγινώσκω) which often signifies progressive learning, and eidó (οἶδα) which denotes immediate perception. In John 14:7 both verbs appear: “If you had known Me [ginóskó], you would know [eidó] My Father also.” –
ginóskó ► Phil 3:10; John 17:3;
eidó ► John 14:17; Eph 1:18-19;
Cross References
▪︎ Following deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons – 1Tim 4:1
▪︎ Example of the Pharisees – John 8:38, 44, 47;
▪︎ Coming judgement – 2Peter 2:3; James 4:2-3, 4;
Discussion Questions
1. What is the underlying root cause for rebellious, empty talkers?
▪︎ They have no righteous root in themselves, no Spirit, no godly heart.
▪︎ They have nothing to offer, nothing to help another person substantially.
▪︎ Because of their rebellious and stubborn heart, they actually can do great harm to others, regardless of their intent.
▪︎ They are deceivers and as such they actually seek to inflict harm to others. It is not simply by mistake.
▪︎ They are of their father the devil and are fueled by hell.
▪︎ Driven by the Flesh – Rom 8:5, 7-8;
▪︎ Seeking financial gain based on greed.
2. Who are they really following, and for what motivation?
▪︎ They can be following their own heart’s desires.
▪︎ They can be following some other false teacher, who seeks to entrap others in some legalistic behavior to make progress in that other hierarchy.
▪︎ They can be an instrument of Satan and can be antithetical to Jesus and His Word… 2Tim 2:26;
▪︎ They may be on the wrong side of history as the world approaches the day of judgement.
▪︎ In any case, it appears to be for the purpose of promoting evil, sordid gain:
► to foster sin.
► for financial gain.
► for revenge, selfish motives.
► to solve a problem inappropriately.
3. What are the corrective actions recommended in Titus 1:12-13?
▪︎ Those who are spiritual, need to take this seriously and not just brush it off, or shirk from their responsibility – Gal 6:1
▪︎ Use the Word of God to reprove, rebuke, exhort in sound doctrine – 2Tim 3:16-17, 4:1-2; Heb 12:11-12
▪︎ The previous answer was for people who are simply deceived; but for those who are actually false teachers, they need to be severely reprimanded, as Paul put it in Galatians – Gal 1:6-7, 8, 9;
▪︎ Other apostles give similarly strong commands to condemn false teachers-
► Many heretics – 2Peter 2:1-3;
► Four-fold if – 2Peter 2:4-9;
► Judgement – 2Peter 2:10-22;
► Unnoticed – Jude 1:4-7;
► Defiled – Jude 1:8-16;
► But you, beloved- Jude 1:17-23
more…False Teachers
4. As with most counterfeits, how does the real problem show itself (Titus 1:16)?
▪︎ They very closely mirror the true church, good-sounding teachers, confusing the body of true believers.
▪︎ They try to draw people away from the truth to legalistic doctrines and doctrines of demons.
▪︎ They make everyone question their salvation by faith, requiring works such as Sabbath keeping, baptism
▪︎ weakening the gospel from faith in Christ to include other beliefs instead of Christ alone, by faith alone.
5. What is a good personal application that will help counteract these false teachers?
▪︎ Stay in the word – the Hand: Study, Read, Hear, Memorize, Meditate.
▪︎ Daily quiet times, study constantly, recording what God is saying to you regularly.
▪︎ Faithfully attend church at a local fellowship, every week and contribute to the ministry there.
▪︎ Be hospitable, invite church members over for fellowship, and friends and neighbors over to build and expand friendships.
▪︎ Pray constantly,
▪︎ Be zealous for Christ… 2Tim 2:23, 24-25;
▪︎ Spend time in pure worship, getting to know God and praising different aspects of His character.