Sharp Rebukes Sometimes Needed
W. R. Burkitt, M. A. Titus 1:12-13 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.… The words is a metaphor taken from surgeons, who cut out dead flesh to the quick, but it is in order to healing. Cutting words have done great cures: many a diseased, festered soul has been made sound, both in faith and manners, by severe reprehension. Learn hence, that although, generally speaking, we ought to temper our reproofs with much gentleness and meekness, yet there is a time when we must reprove sharply, that men may be "sound in the faith." We may, we must speak cutting words when kind words will not do. (W. R. Burkitt, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. WEB: One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons."