Titus 1:12

← Titus 1:11 Titus 1:13 →

Titus 1:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

King James Version KJV

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

American Standard Version ASV

One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.

Bible in Basic English BBE

One of their prophets has said, The men of Crete are ever false, evil beasts, lovers of food, hating work.

Free Bible Version FBV

As someone of their own people, a prophet, has stated, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts who are lazy, greedy people.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

One of themselues, euen one of their owne prophets said, The Cretians are alwaies liars, euill beastes, slowe bellies.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said — 'Cretans! always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies!'

World English Bible WEB

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

One of them a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slothful bellies.

Translation for Translators T4T

A man from Crete island whom they consider a prophet said, “My fellow Cretan people are always lying to one another! They are like dangerous wild animals [MET]! They are lazy and always eat too much food [SYN]!”

Plain English Version PEV

Remember what one of Crete’s own teachers said, a long time ago. He said, “People from Crete are always lying. They are bad, like cheeky animals. They are lazy, and they eat too much food.”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Titus 1:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Titus 1:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ειπεν τις εξ αυτων ιδιος αυτων προφητης κρητες αει ψευσται κακα θηρια γαστερες αργαι

ειπεν legō G3004 to say Verb-2AAI-3S

τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM

εξ ek G1537 out from Prep

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

ιδιος idios G2398 one's own/private Adj-NSM

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

προφητης prophētēs G4396 prophet Noun-NSM

κρητες Krēs G2912 Cretan Noun-NPM

αει aei G104 always Adv

ψευσται pseustēs G5583 liar Noun-NPM

κακα kakos G2556 evil/harm: evil Adj-NPN

θηρια thērion G2342 wild animal Noun-NPN

γαστερες gastēr G1064 belly Noun-NPF

αργαι argos G692 idle Adj-NPF

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Titus 1:12

ειπεν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-2AAI-3S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.

Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.

εξ ek G1537 "out from" Prep

The preposition 'out from' shows movement or origin, like in John 6:31 and Acts 9:3. It helps us understand where people or things come from or are going.

Definition: ἐκ (ἐξ), prep. with genitive, from out of, from (see Addendum, p. 492).This entry is included here, but in the print version the entry is found on p. 492. ἐκ, before a vowel ἐξ, prep. with genitive, of motion outwards, separation from (opposite to εἰς; = Lat. e, ex), from out of, from among, from. __I. Of Place, __1. of motion, out of, forth from, off from: Jhn.6:31, Act.9:3, Gal.1:8, al.; esp. after verbs of motion, Mat.8:28 17:9, Mrk.1:25 7:28, Jhn.1:33 20:1, Act.12:7, 17 27:30, al.; constr. praeg., σώζειν (διας) ἐκ, Ju 5, Act.28:4. Metaphorical, Mat.7:4, 5, 1Pe.2:9; ἐκ τ. χειρός (-ῶν), before genitive of person(s), Luk.1:74, Jhn.10:28, 29, 39, Act.12:4 24:7, Rev.19:2; πίνειν (which see) ἐκ; of the place from which an action proceeds, Luk.5:3 (cf. 12:36, Jhn.13:4, 2Co.2:4). __2. Of change from one place or condition to another: Jhn.8:42, Rom.6:13 13:11, Rev.7:14, al.; with ellips. of verb of motion, 2Ti.2:26, 2Pe.2:21, Rev.2:21, al. __3. Of separation or distinction from a number, before collective or pl. nouns: Mat.13:47, 49, Jhn.12:1, Act.3:15, 1Pe.1:3, al.; after εἷς, Mat.10:29 Luk.17:15, al.; οὐδείς, Jhn.7:19, al.; πολλοί, Jhn.11:19, al.; τις, Luk.11:15, al.; τίς, Mat.6:27, al.; in partitive phrase as subject of sentence, Jhn.16:17; Hebraistically, ἐκ μέσου before genitive, = ἐκ (Heb. מִתּוֹךְ), Mat.13:49, al. __4. Of position or direction (so in cl. = ἔξω): ἐκ δεξιῶν (see: δεξιός); ἐξ ἐναντίας, Mrk.15:39 (metaphorically, Tit.2:8); ἐκ ῥιζῶν (i.e., utterly), Mat.11:20. __II. Of Time, __1. of the point of time from which, from, since: ἐκ γενετῆς, Jhn.9:1, cf. Mrk.10:20, Luk.23:8, Act.24:10, al. __2. Of succession in time: ἐκ δευτέρου, a second time, Mrk.14:72, al., cf. Mat.26:44; ἡμέραν ἐξ ἡμέρας, from day to day, 2Pe.2:8. __III. Of Origin, __1. of nativity, lineage, race: κοίτην (ἐν γαστρί) ἔχειν, Rom.9:10, Mat.1:18; γεννᾶν ἐκ, Mat.1:3ff.; γεννᾶσθαι (γίνεσθαι) ἐκ, Jhn.3:6 8:41, Gal.4:4; ἐκ πνεύματος (θεοῦ), Jhn.1:13 3:5ff., al. ἔρχεσθαι, εἶναι, etc., ἐκ τ. πολέως, Jhn.1:44; φυλῆς, Luk.2:36, al.; τ. ἐξουσίας Ἡρῴδου, Luk.23:7; ὁ ὢν ἐκ τ. γῆς, Jhn.3:31. __2. Of the author, occasion or source: Mat.5:37, Jhn.2:16, Rom.2:29, 1Co.8:6, Gal.5:8, al.; ἐκ (τ. θεοῦ, 1Co.7:7, 2Co.5:1, 1Jn.4:7; ἐκ τ. πατρός, Jhn.6:65, al.; ἐκ τ. γῆς ἐστιν, λαλεῖ, Jhn.3:31; εκ καρδίας, Rom.6:17, cf. Mrk.12:30, 1Ti.1:5; ἐκ ψυχῆς, Eph.6:6, Col.3:23; ἐκ πίστεως, Rom.14:23; κρίνειν ἐκ, Luk.19:22, Rev.20:12. __3. Of the agent, after passive verbs: Mat.15:5, Mrk.7:11, 2Co.2:2, al.; frequently in Re after αδικεῖσθαι (2:11), etc. __4. Of cause, dependence, source of supply: τ. πόνου (των), Rev.16:10, 11; τ. φωνῶν, Rev.8:13; ἐκ τούτου, Jhn.6:66 19:12 (but see Meyer, in ll.); ἐκ θεοῦ λαλεῖν, 2Co.2:17; ἐκ τ. ἀληθείας, Jhn.18:37, 1Jn.3:19; ὁ ἐκ πίστεως, Rom.3:26 4:16; οἱ (ὄντες) ἐκ περιτομῆς, Act.11:2, Rom.4:12, Gal.2:12, Col.4:11; πίνειν ἐκ, Mat.26:29, Mrk.14:25, Jhn.4:13, al.; θερίζειν, Gal.6:8; μετέχειν ἐκ (= partit. genitive), 1Co.10:13; with inf., ἐκ τοῦ ἔχειν, 2Co.8:11. __5. Of material: Mat.27:29, Jhn.2:15 19:2, Rom.9:21, 1Co.11:12, Rev.18:12, al.; allied to which is its use of price (= cl. genitive): Mat.27:7, cf. ib. 20:2, Act.1:18. __IV. By attraction = ἐν (cl.): τὰ ἐκ τ. οἰκιας, Mat.24:17; τ. ἐξ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν, Mrk.5:30 (see Field, in l.); ὁ πατὴρ ὁ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, Luk.11:13. __V. Adverbial phrases: ἐξ ἀνάγκης, 2Co.9:7, Heb.7:12; ἐξ ἰσότητος, 2Co.8:13; ἐκ μέρους, 1Co.12:27 13:9-12; ἐκ μέτρου, Jhn.3:34; ἐκ συμφώνου, 1Co.7:5. __VI. in composition, ἐκ signifies, __1. procession, removal: ἐκβαίνω, ἐκβάλλω. __2. Opening out, unfolding: ἐκτείνω; metaphorically, ἐξαγγάλλω. __3. Origin: ἔκγονος. __4. Completeness: ἐξαπορέω (see M, Pr., 237), ἐκπληρόω, ἐκτελέω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 753 NT verses. KJV: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; 3 John 1:11; 1 Peter 1:3.

αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

ιδιος idios G2398 "one's own/private" Adj-NSM

Something that is one's own is private or personal, like in Matthew where Jesus is alone with his disciples.

Definition: ἴδιος, -α, -ον (in Attic usually -ος, -ον), [in LXX chiefly for of person(s) suff., also for לָהֶם, etc.; (τὰ ἴ.) בֵּיתוֹ ;] __1. one's own; __(a) of that which is private and personal (in cl. opposite to κοινός, δημόσιος; cf. infr. 3); __(b) of property, friends, home, country, etc. (in cl. opposite to ἀλλότριος; in late writers often, like ἑαυτοῦ, with weakened sense, see M, Pr., 87ff.; Deiss., BS, 123f.): Luk.6:41, Jhn.1:42 5:43, Act.2:6 20:28, 1Co.11:21, Gal.6:5, 2Ti.1:9, Heb.7:27, Ju 6, al.; πράσσειν τὰ ἴ., 1Th.4:11; κατὰ τὰς ἰ. ἐπιθυμίας, 2Ti.4:3; οἱ ἴδιοι, Jhn.1:11 (M, Pr., 90f.; Field, Notes, 84) 13:1, Act.4:23, 1Ti.5:8; τὰ ἴδια, one's home (Field, Notes, l.with), Luk.18:28, Jhn.1:11 16:32 19:27. __2. peculiar, distinct, appropriate, proper: τὸ ἴ. σῶμα, 1Co.15:38; ἐν τ. ἰ. τάγματι, 1Co.15:23; εἰς τ. τόπον τ. ἴ., Act.1:25; = αὐτοῦ (see Deiss., ut. supr.), Mat.22:5, Jhn.1:42 (cf. Wis.10:1). __3. Adverbially (see supr., 1 (a); and cf. WM, 739:2); __(a) ἰδίᾳ, severally, separately: 1Co.12:11; __(b) κατ᾽ ἰδίαν, apart, privately, in private: Mat.14:13, 23 20:17, Mrk.4:34 7:33, Luk.10:23, Act.23:19, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 109 NT verses. KJV: X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; Galatians 6:5; 1 Peter 3:1.

αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

προφητης prophētēs G4396 "prophet" Noun-NSM

A prophet is someone who acts as an interpreter of God's will, as seen in Matthew 5:12 and Romans 11:3. They speak forth God's message to others.

Definition: προφήτης, -ου, ὁ [πρόφημι, to speak forth), [in LXX chiefly for נָבִיא ;] one who acts as an interpreter or forth-teller of the Divine will (see Lft., Notes, 83f.; Tr., Syn., §vi), a prophet; __1. in cl. (Æsch., Hdt., Plat., al.), of the interpreters of oracles. __2. In NT, __(a) of the OT prophets: Mat.5:12, Mrk.6:15, Luk.4:27, Jhn.8:52, Rom.11:3, al.; __(b) of prophets in general: Mat.10:41 13:57 21:46, Mrk.6:4, Luk.13:33, al.; __(with) of John the Baptist: Mat.21:26, Mrk.6:15, Luk.1:76; __(d) of Christ: Mat.21:11, Jhn.6:14, Act.3:22, 23 7:37" (LXX) ; __(e) of Christian prophets in the apostolic age: Act.15:32, 1Co.12:28, Eph.2:20, al.; __(f) by meton., of the writings of prophets: Luk.24:27, Act.8:28, al.; __(g) of a poet: Tit.1:12 (on the use of the term in π. and Inscr., see Deiss., BS, 235f.; MM, xxii). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 142 NT verses. KJV: prophet See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 9:19; 1 Peter 1:10.

κρητες Krēs G2912 "Cretan" Noun-NPM

A Cretan refers to someone from the island of Crete, as seen in Acts 2:11 and Titus 1:12. This term describes the people who lived on the island. In the Bible, Cretans are mentioned as being present at Pentecost.

Definition: Κρής, ὁ, pl., Κρῆτες a Cretan: Act.2:11, Tit.1:12.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: Crete, Cretian See also: Acts 2:11; Titus 1:12.

αει aei G104 "always" Adv

Always means forever or continually, as seen in Acts 7:51 and 2 Corinthians 4:11, where it describes ongoing actions.

Definition: ἀεί, adv., [in LXX: Isa.42:14 (מֵעוֹלָם) 51:13 (תָּמִיד), Ps 94(95):10, al. ;] ever; __1. of continuous time, unceasingly, perpetually: Act.7:51, 2 Co.4.11; 6:10, Tit.1:12, Heb.3:10. __2. Of successive occurrences, on every occasion (MM, VGT, see word): 1Pe.3:15, 2Pe.1:12. † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: always, ever See also: 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 7:51; Hebrews 3:10.

ψευσται pseustēs G5583 "liar" Noun-NPM

A liar is someone who intentionally spreads false information, as described in John 8:44 and Romans 3:4. This behavior is condemned in the Bible as dishonest and hurtful.

Definition: ψεύστης, -ου, ὁ (ψεύδω), [in LXX: Psa.116:11 (כָּזַב), Pro.19:22 A N2 (כָּזָב), Sir.15:8 25:2 * ;] a liar: Jhn.8:44, 55, Rom.3:4, 1Ti.1:10, Tit.1:12, 1Jn.1:10 Jn 2:4 Jn 2:22 Jn 4:20 Jn 5:10 .† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: liar See also: 1 John 1:10; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 3:4.

κακα kakos G2556 "evil/harm: evil" Adj-NPN

This word means evil or worthless, describing something or someone as bad or depraved. It appears in Matthew 21:41 and Romans 13:3, contrasting with what is good. It is often translated as 'evil' or 'wicked'.

Definition: κακός, -ή, -όν [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] __1. in general, opposite to ἀγαθός, καλός, in various senses, bad, mean, base, worthless (cl.). __2. In ethical sense, base, evil, wicked: of persons, Mat.21:41 24:48, Php.3:2, Rev.2:2; διαλογισμοί, Mrk.7:21; ὁμιλίαι, 1Co.15:33; ἐπιθυμία (Pro.12:12), Col.3:5; ἔργον, Rom.13:3; neut., κακόν, τὸ κ., evil: Jhn.18:23, Act.23:9, Rom.7:21 14:20 16:19, 1Co.13:5, Heb.5:14, 1Pe.3:10-11, 3Jn.11; pl., Rom.1:30, 1Co.10:6, 1Ti.6:10, Jas.1:13; κ. (τὸ, τὰ κ.) ποιεῖν (πράσσειν), Mat.27:23, Mrk.15:14, Luk.23:22, Jhn.18:30, Rom.3:8 7:19 13:4, 2Co.13:7, 1Pe.3:12; κατεργάζεσθαι, Rom.2:9; of wrongs inflicted, Act.9:13, Rom.12:17, 21 13:10, 1Th.5:15, 2Ti.4:14, 1Pe.3:9. __3. pernicious, harmful, evil: Luk.16:25, Act.16:28 28:5, Tit.1:12, Jas.3:8, Rev.16:2 (Cremer, 325, 741). † SYN.: see: (ἄθεσμος) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 46 NT verses. KJV: bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked See also: 1 Corinthians 10:6; Luke 23:22; 1 Peter 3:9.

θηρια thērion G2342 "wild animal" Noun-NPN

A wild or dangerous animal is what this word refers to, used in Mark 1:13 and Revelation 6:8. It can also symbolize the Antichrist.

Definition: θηρίον, -ου, τό (dimin. of θήρ), [in LXX chiefly for חַי ;] a wild beast, beast: Mrk.1:13, Act.11:6 28:4-5, Tit.1:12, Heb.12:20, Jas.3:7, Rev.6:8; of Antichrist, Rev.11:7, 13-19.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 38 NT verses. KJV: (venomous, wild) beast See also: Acts 10:12; Revelation 14:9; Hebrews 12:20.

γαστερες gastēr G1064 "belly" Noun-NPF

The belly refers to the stomach or womb, as in Matthew 1:18 where Mary is said to be with child. It can also describe a glutton or someone with a large appetite, as in Titus 1:12, which criticizes those who live for their stomachs.

Definition: γαστήρͅ, -τρός, ἡ, [in LXX for בֶּטֶן, ἐν γ. ἔχειν for הרה, ἐν γ. λαμβάνειν for חרה ;] __1. the belly: metaphorically, a glutton, Tit.1:12. __2. the womb: ἐν γ. ἔχειν, to be with child, Mat.1:18, 23" (LXX) 24:19, Mrk.13:17, Luk.21:23, 1Th.5:3, Rev.12:2; εν γ. συλλαμβ., to conceive, Luk.1:31.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: belly, + with child, womb See also: 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Matthew 1:18; Revelation 12:2.

αργαι argos G692 "idle" Adj-NPF

Idle means being inactive or unemployed, as seen in Matthew 20:3 and 1 Timothy 5:13. It can also describe something as useless or ineffective. The KJV translates it as barren, idle, or slow.

Definition: ἀργός, -όν (in late Gk., incl. NT, -ή, -όν; ἀ- neg., ἔργον) [in LXX: 3Ki.6:7 (מַסָּע), Wis.14:5 15:15, Sir.37:11 38:28 * ;] inactive, idle: Mat.20:3, 6, 1Ti.5:13, Tit.1:12, 2Pe.1:8. Metaphorical, of things, inactive, ineffective, worthless: ῥῆμα, Mat.12:36; πίστις, Jas.2:20 (see Cremer, 259 f.).† SYN.: βραδύς, slow; νωθρός, sluggish (Tr., Syn., § civ) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: barren, idle, slow See also: 1 Timothy 5:13; Matthew 20:3; Titus 1:12.

Study Notes — Titus 1:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Titus 1:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Titus 1:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Titus 1:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Titus 1:12
Trapp's Commentary on Titus 1:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Titus 1:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Titus 1:12
Cambridge Bible on Titus 1:12
Barnes' Notes on Titus 1:12
Whedon's Commentary on Titus 1:12
Sermons on Titus 1:12

Context — Correcting False Teachers

10For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, 11who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

12As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith 14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Romans 16:18	For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
2	1 Timothy 4:2	influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
3	Acts 17:28	‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
4	2 Peter 2:15	They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
5	Jude 1:8–13	Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
6	2 Peter 2:12	These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
7	Acts 2:11	both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Titus 1:12 Summary

[This verse is a quote from a prophet that describes the Cretans as people who are known for lying, being cruel, and being lazy and gluttonous. It's not saying every single Cretan is like this, but rather that these tendencies were common among them, as seen in the context of Titus 1:10-11. The Apostle Paul uses this quote to warn against false teachers and to encourage believers to be discerning, as also seen in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. By being mindful of the influences and teachings we expose ourselves to, we can avoid being led astray and instead follow the truth of God's Word, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the prophet that said Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons?

The prophet is likely Epimenides, a Cretan poet and philosopher from the 6th century BC, as his quote is referenced by the Apostle Paul in Titus 1:12, and it aligns with the cultural context of the time, similar to the warnings in 2 Peter 2:12-13 about false teachers

Is it fair to generalize an entire group of people, like the Cretans, as liars and evil beasts?

The statement in Titus 1:12 is not meant to be a blanket condemnation of all Cretans, but rather a reflection of the cultural tendencies and spiritual state of the Cretans at that time, as seen in the context of the surrounding verses, such as Titus 1:10-11, which describe the rebellious and deceiving nature of some individuals

How does this verse relate to our lives today, in terms of dealing with false teachers or ungodly influences?

This verse reminds us to be discerning and cautious of those who would lead us astray, as warned in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, and to hold fast to the truth of God's Word, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What is the significance of the phrase 'lazy gluttons' in this verse?

The phrase 'lazy gluttons' highlights the self-indulgent and idle nature of some individuals, which can be a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue, as seen in the warnings against idleness and selfishness in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 and Ephesians 5:18

Reflection Questions

How can I apply the warning in Titus 1:12 to my own life, in terms of being mindful of the influences and teachings I expose myself to?
What are some common characteristics or behaviors that can indicate someone is being influenced by false or ungodly teaching, as seen in this verse and others like 2 Peter 2:1-3?
How can I balance the need to be discerning and cautious with the command to love and accept others, as seen in verses like Matthew 22:37-40 and John 13:34-35?
What role does the truth of God's Word play in helping me to recognize and resist false teaching, as emphasized in verses like 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Psalm 119:160?

Gill's Exposition on Titus 1:12

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own,.... This was Epimenides, in whose poems stand the words here cited; the apostle rightly calls him "one of themselves", since he was a Cretian by birth,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Titus 1:12

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Titus 1:12

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own; Epimenides, a Greek poet, thus spake of the people of this country, whom he calls a prophet, because he was a poet, and wrote something about such divine oracles as they had. Said, The Cretians are alway liars: the Cretians were famous for lying and falsehood, so as it became a proverb. He called them evil beasts, either for their cruelty or treachery. Slow bellies; a lazy, idle people, that had much more inclination to eat and drink than they had to work in any honest labour. From all this the apostle would infer, that Titus had the more need be watchful in his place, and faithful in the discharge of his office, being amongst such a people.

Trapp's Commentary on Titus 1:12

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. Ver. 12. Even a prophet of their own] Epimenides, the poet, who by his countrymen the Cretians was counted a prophet, and had divine honours done to him after his death. This uncircumcised poet Paul brings here into the temple, as before he had done Aratus, Acts 17:28, and Menander, 1 Corinthians 15:33. The Cretians are always liars] So were the Carthaginians, Tyriique bilingues. The French had so often deceived the English that such as they mean to deceive they call by a common byword, Les Anglois, The English. The Cretians were loud liars, even to a proverb. Of Dolon, Homer saith, that he had an art in lying. But Eudaemon Joannes (that Cretian demoniac) wins the whetstone from all his countrymen, while he blusheth not to tell the world in print that these are the doctrines and practices of the Protestants, to worship no God, to frame our religion to the times, to pretend the public cause to our private lusts, to break our words as we see good for our purpose, to cover deadly hatred under fair flatteries, to confirm tyranny by shedding the blood of innocents. (Eudaemon Joannes contra Casaub.) Evil beasts, cruel as well as crafty. These two are seldom separated; as some write of the asp, that he never wanders alone without his companion; and as the Scripture speaks of those birds of prey and desolation, Isaiah 34:16; "None of them wanteth his mate." Slow bellies] That is, given to sloth and idleness, and luxurious gluttons. Fides Punica. Virgil. Cres semper mendax, mala bellua, et helluo deses. Cretizare cum Cretensib. vide Erasm. Adag. ισκεψευσεαπολλαλεγεινετυμοισινομοια. Hom.

Ellicott's Commentary on Titus 1:12

(12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said.—St. Paul had spoken (Titus 1:10-11) in the severest terms of certain influential members of the Cretan Church; he had even alluded to their disastrous teaching ruining whole families, evidently implying that he had perceived among the Cretans a readiness to welcome a teaching which countenanced a laxer moral tone, the invariable result of perverted doctrine; and now he supports his own condemning words by a reference to a well-known Cretan poet—to one who, according to tradition, was even honoured by them as a god. The verse quoted is an hexameter, written by the famous Epimenides, of Gnossus, in Crete. He flourished some 600 years B.C., and is said to have lived to the strange age of 150 years or more. He appears to have deserved the title of prophet in its fullest sense—Plato speaking of him as a “divine man,” and Cicero coupling him with the Erythæan Sibyl. The first three words were well known, and even used by Callimachus in his hymn to Zeus, “Cretans always liars.” St. Paul’s knowledge of the poem where the verse occurs is one of the several instances which we meet with in his writings indicating his familiarity with profane literature. The quotation, occurring as it does in the midst of an inspired writing, was the occasion of Calvin’s wise, brave words, which style those who decline to avail themselves of the learning and research of profane writers as superstitious. Nothing wise and learned, he says, should be rejected, even though it proceed “ab impiis.” The Cretians are alway liars.—This terrible estimate of the national Cretan character is amply borne out by the testimony of many profane writers, such as Callimachus, Plato, Polybius, Ovid, &c. The very word “to Cretize” (kretizein), or to play the part of a Cretan, was invented as a word synonymous with “to deceive,” “to utter a lie;” just as corinthiazein. “to play the part of a Corinthian,” signified to commit a still darker moral offence. Some writers suggest that this despicable vice of lying was received as a bequest from the early Phœnician colonists. Evil beasts.—These words refer to their wild, fierce nature, their ferocity, their love of cruelty. Slow bellies.—Rather, idle bellies. These terms paint with sharp accuracy another of the evil characteristics of the Cretan peoples—their dull gluttony, their slothful sensuality. The words are used especially of those who, by indulging their bodily appetites, become corpulent and indolent.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Titus 1:12

Verse 12. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own] This was Epimenides, who was born at Gnossus, in Crete, and was reckoned by many the seventh wise man of Greece, instead of Periander, to whom that honour was by them denied. Many fabulous things are related of this poet, which are not proper to be noticed here. He died about 538 years before the Christian era. When St. Paul calls him a prophet of their own, he only intimates that he was, by the Cretans, reputed a prophet. And, according to Plutarch, (in Solone,) the Cretans paid him divine honours after his death. Diogenes Laertius mentions some of his prophecies: beholding the fort of Munichia, which guarded the port of Athens, he cried out: "O ignorant men! if they but knew what slaughters this fort shall occasion, they would pull it down with their teeth!" This prophecy was fulfilled several years after, when the king, Antipater, put a garrison in this very fort, to keep the Athenians in subjection. See Diog. Laert., lib. i. p. 73. Plato, De Legibus, lib. ii., says that, on the Athenians expressing great fear of the Persians, Epimenides encouraged them by saying "that they should not come before ten years, and that they should return after having suffered great disasters." This prediction was supposed to have been fulfilled in the defeat of the Persians in the battles of Salamis and Marathon. He predicted to the Lacedemonians and Cretans the captivity to which they should one day be reduced by the Arcadians. This took place under Euricrates, king of Crete, and Archidamus, king of Lacedemon; vide Diog. Laert., lib. i. p. 74, edit. Meibom. It was in consequence of these prophecies, whether true or false, that his countrymen esteemed him a prophet; that he was termed ανηραθειος, a divine man, by Plato; and that Cicero, De Divin., lib. i., says he was futura praesciens, et vaticinans per furorem: "He knew future events, and prophesied under a divine influence." These things are sufficient to justify the epithet of prophet, given him here by St. Paul. It may also be remarked that vates and poeta, prophet and poet, were synonymous terms among the Romans. The Cretians are always liars] The words quoted here by the apostle are, according to St. Jerome, Socrates, Nicephorus, and others, taken from a work of Epimenides, now no longer extant, entitled περιχρησμων. Concerning Oracles. The words form a hexameter verse:- Κρητεςαειψευσται, κακαθηρια, γαστερεςαργαι. The Cretans are always liars; destructive wild beasts; sluggish gluttons. That the Cretans were reputed to be egregious liars, several of the ancients declare; insomuch that κρητιζειν, to act like a Cretan, signifies to lie; and χρησθαικρητισμω, to deceive. The other Greeks reputed them liars, because they said that among them was the sepulchre of Jupiter, who was the highest object of the Greek and Roman worship. By telling this truth, which all others would have to pass for a lie, the Cretans showed that the object of their highest admiration was only a dead man.

Cambridge Bible on Titus 1:12

12. One of themselves] Rather, one of them, there being nothing to indicate emphasis till the next two words come, a prophet of their own; the force is, ‘there is a Cretan saying—and by a prophet of their own:’ for the adjective see Titus 1:3.Epimenides was a poet priest and prophet of Gnossus in Crete, who was invited to Athens about 596 b.c. to purify the city after the pollution of Cylon, and is said to have died at Lacedaemon soon after, aged 150 years. This hexameter verse is from his ‘Oracles,’ and the first part was quoted by Callimachus in his ‘Hymn to Zeus’—‘ “Cretans are always liars”; thy grave has been claimed by the Cretans,Thine, O King immortal, who livest and reignest for ever.’Peile quotes Calvin’s Latin hexameter rendering‘Mendax, venter iners, semper mala bestia Cres est,’ and it would run in English‘Cretans are always liars, are wild beasts, do-nothing gluttons.’Their general character was well known from the proverb of ‘The three worst Ks, Kretans, Kappadocians, Kilicians,’ and from the word which meant ‘to play the Cretan’ coming to mean ‘to play the cheat and liar,’ as ‘to play the Corinthian’ was ‘to play the prodigal and libertine.’For their ferocity and greed and falseness cf. Polyb. vi. 46, 47, ‘The Cretans, on account of their innate avarice live in a perpetual state of private quarrel and public feud and civil strife.… and you will hardly find anywhere characters more tricky and deceitful than those of the Cretans.’In favour of the Cretans may be said that they sacrificed to their stern mentor Epimenides as a god, and that Titus, who was to adopt and enforce this severe censure of St Paul, has been honoured to this day as the apostle of Crete. See Pashley’s Travels in Crete, vol. 1. p. 175. Cf. Appendix, I.

Barnes' Notes on Titus 1:12

One of themselves - That is, one of the Cretans. The quotation here shows that Paul had his eye not only on the Jewish teachers there, but on the native Cretans.

Whedon's Commentary on Titus 1:12

12. The fictions of these errorists have a congenial soil in the character of the Cretan population, as attested by a prophet of their own.

Sermons on Titus 1:12

	Sermon	Description
	Counterfeit Spirituality by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the pull and attraction of worldly influences and sin. He emphasizes the need to address and deal with sin rather than trying to shift the bl
	Does First Corinthians 12 Mean the Universal Church by A.W. Pink	Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'argos,' which signifies being without work, ineffective, unproductive, or worthless. The term is used in the New Testament to describ
	Titus 1:12-14 by St. John Chrysostom	John Chrysostom delves into the complexities of Paul quoting Epimenides, a Cretan prophet, who called the Cretians liars, to emphasize the importance of rebuking and correcting tho
	Epistle 187 by George Fox	George Fox preaches about dwelling in the love of God together to be built up, warning against enmity, discord, and worldly wisdom that lead to disobedience and questioning. He emp
	God's Hatchet by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of idolatry and the deception that has taken hold of the church. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God and warns against the
	America: Reprobate Nation? by E.A. Johnston	In this sermon, the preacher highlights the excessive use of cell phones and the internet in today's society, suggesting that it has led to a disconnection from God's creation. The
	America Needs a Slap in the Face by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman passionately addresses the urgent need for America and the church to awaken from their slumber of unrepentant sin and moral decay. He emphasizes that many justify the