Chapter
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Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Titus 1:15
ESV To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
NIV To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
NASB To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
CSB To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled.
NLT Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
KJV Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

What does Titus 1:15 mean?

Following Paul's commands against false teachers, he notes, "To the pure, all things are pure." These words echo Paul's thoughts elsewhere in his letters (1 Timothy 4:1–5). Purity was of great importance in the Torah, and strongly emphasized in worship of God. "Pure gold" was used in the construction of items in the tabernacle, for example, with those approaching God doing so only in a state of ritual purity.

In contrast, "to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure." Paul has the false teachers of Crete in mind here, spoken of throughout verses 10–16. At first read, this could possibly refer to both true believers—the defiled—and unbelievers. However, verse 16 seems to clearly indicate Paul had unbelievers in mind. In either case, those teaching false information about God are not pure. In fact, they are impure in both their mind, and their conscience—they are completely unclean. In the Jewish mindset, those who were unclean could not worship God. They had to be made clean (holy) before coming to God in worship. Paul emphasizes their true nature in the following verse.
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