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Selected Verse: Titus 1:11 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Tit 1:11 |
King James |
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
mouths . . . stopped--literally, "muzzled," "bridled" as an unruly beast (compare Psa 32:9).
who--Greek, "(seeing that they are) such men as"; or "inasmuch as they" [ELLICOTT].
subvert . . . houses--"overthrowing" their "faith" (Ti2 2:18). "They are the devil's levers by which he subverts the houses of God" [THEOPHYLACT].
for filthy lucre-- (Ti1 3:3, Ti1 3:8; Ti1 6:5). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Whose mouths must be stopped - The word here rendered stopped - ἐπιστομιζειν epistomizein - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence. It is, of course, implied here that this was to be done in a proper way, and in accordance with the spirit of the gospel. The apostle gives Timothy no civil power to do it, nor does he direct him to call in the aid of the civil arm. All the agency which he specifies as proper for this, is that of argument and exhortation. These are the proper means of silencing the advocates of error; and the history of the church shows that the ministers of religion can be safely entrusted with no other; compare Psa 32:8-9.
Who subvert whole houses - Whole families; compare Mat 23:14; Ti2 3:6. That is, they turn them aside from the faith.
Teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake - For gain. That is, they inculcate such doctrines as will make themselves popular, and as will give them access to the confidence of the people. They make it their first object to acquire influence as ministers of religion, and then abuse that in order to obtain money from the people. This they would doubtless do under many pretences; such as that it was needful for the support of the gospel, or for the relief of the poor, or perhaps for the assistance of distant Christians in persecution. Religion is the most powerful principle that ever governs the mind; and if a man has the control of that, it is no difficult thing to induce men to give up their worldly possessions. In all ages, there have been impostors who have taken advantage of the powerful principle of religion to obtain money from their deluded followers. No people can be too vigilant in regard to pretended religious teachers; and while it is undoubtedly their duty to contribute liberally for the support of the gospel, and the promotion of every good cause, it is no less their duty to examine with care every proposed object of benevolence, and to watch with an eagle eye those who have the disbursement of the charities of the church. It is very rare that ministers ought to have much to do with disposing of the funds given for benevolent purposes; and when they do, they should in all cases be associated with their lay brethren; see Paley's Horae Paulinae, chap. iv., No. 1, 3, note; compare Co1 16:3. On the phrase "filthy lucre," see the notes at Ti1 3:3. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Whose mouths must be stopped (οὓς δεὶ ἐπιστομίζειν)
Lit. whom it is necessary to silence. Ἑπιστομίζειν, N.T.o. olxx. Originally, to put something into the mouth, as a bit into a horse's mouth. Ἑπιστόμιον is the stop of a water-pipe or of a hydraulic organ. Comp. φιμοῦν Ti1 5:18.
Who subvert (οἵτινες ἀνατρέπουσιν)
The double relative is explanatory of must; in as much as they, etc. For subvert rend. overthrow. See on Ti2 2:18.
Houses (οἴκους)
Families. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Stopped - The word properly means, to put a bit into the mouth of an unruly horse. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Whose mouths must be stopped - Unmask them at once; exhibit them to the people; make manifest their ignorance and hypocrisy; and let them be confounded before the people whom they are endeavoring to seduce.
Subvert whole houses - Turn whole Christian families from the faith, attributing to the broad way what belongs only to the strait gate; ministering to disorderly passions, and promising salvation to their proselytes, though not saved from their sins. |
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.