Titus 1:16
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. | They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. | They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThe false teachers claimed to know God, but their actions denied him. Paul calls them detestable and disobedient, unfit for any good work. Their lives showed what their words hid. Titus 1:16
SpeakingPaul, who calls himself "a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ." Titus 1:1Titus overview
ToTitus, Paul's "own son after the common faith," whom Paul had left in Crete to set the churches in order. Titus 1:4Titus 1:5Titus overview
Also involvedThe false teachers in Crete, and those who were listening to them. Titus 1:10Titus 1:14
Paul ends his description of the false teachers (1:10-16). Their words and works do not match. The letter then turns to what fits "sound doctrine" (2:1). Titus 1:10Titus 1:16Titus overview
Titus was in Crete, a large Mediterranean island with churches "in every city." The letter does not say where Paul was, but he planned to winter at Nicopolis. Titus overviewTitus 1:5
The eventsThis describes the teachers in Crete while Titus was there. The verse gives no date. Titus 1:5Titus 1:16
WrittenTraditional: about AD 63-65, after Paul's release from his first Roman imprisonment. Scholarly: many hold that a follower wrote the letter in Paul's name about AD 80-100; others accept that Paul wrote it. Titus overview
HerePaul's first verse spoke of "the truth which is after godliness" (1:1). Here are people who profess to know God but deny him in works. The letter's themes include godly living and good works. Titus 1:1Titus 1:16Titus overview
In the whole of ScriptureJohn says, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar" (1 John 2:4). Paul warns of those "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:5). 1 John 2:42 Timothy 3:5Ezekiel 33:31
For readersKnowing God shows in how a person lives. A profession of faith that is denied by daily conduct is empty. Titus 1:161 John 2:4
- professὁμολογέω
The word means to confess or profess. They said the right words about God. Strong's G3670
- denyἀρνέομαι
The word means to deny or say no. Their works said no to the God their lips confessed. Strong's G0720
- abominableβδελυκτός
The word means abominable, detestable. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G0947
- reprobateἀδόκιμος
The word was first used of metals that do not stand the test and are rejected. Here it means unfit for any good work. Strong's G0096
Takeaway
True knowledge of God shows itself in obedience and good works. Claiming to know God while living against him is a denial of him. Titus 1:161 John 2:42 Timothy 3:5
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| God | θεὸν | theon | G2316 | Godθεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; … |
| they profess | ὁμολογοῦσιν | homologousin | G3670 | to confess/professὁμολογέω (homologeō) ὁμολογέω, -ῶ (ὁμόλογος, of one mind: Dan LXX Su 1:60 *), [in LXX: Job.40:9 (14) (יָדָה hi.), Jer.44:25 (נָדַר), al. ;] 1. to speak the same language (Hdt.). 2. to agree with (Hdt., Plat., al.). 3. to agree, confess, acknowledge (Plat., al.) : absol., Jhn.1:20 12:42; pass., Rom.10:10; before ὅτι, ib., Heb.11:13; with accusative of thing(s), Act.23:8, 1Jn.1:9, Rev.3:5; id. with dative of person(s), Act.24:14; with accusative cogn., 1Ti.6:12; with accusative of person(s), 1Jn.2:23 Jn 4:3; id. before pred. accusative (Bl., § 34, 5; 73, 5), Jhn.9:22, Rom.10:9, 1Jn.4:2 Jn 4:15, 2Jn.7; with inf. ( … |
| to know, | εἰδέναι, | eidenai | G6063 | to knowοἶδα (oida) 1. to know , εὖ οἶδα I know well; εὖ ἴσθι be assured : often with accusative rei, νοήματα οἶδε, μήδεα οἶδε he is versed in counsels, (Homer); with neut. Adjs., πεπνυμένα, φίλα, ἀθεμίστια εἰδώς (Homer); also with genitive, τόξων εὖ εἰδώς cunning in the use of the bow; οἰωνῶν σάφα εἰδώς (Odyssey by Homer): —; χάριν εἰδέναι τινί to acknowledge a debt to another, thank him , (Iliad by Homer), etc.:—;the Imperat. in protestations, ἴστω Ζεὺς αὐτός be Zeus my witness , (Iliad by Homer); doric ἴττω Ζεύς, ἴττω (Aristophanes Comicus): —; εἰδώς absolute one who knows , εἰδυίηι πάντ᾽ ἀγορεύω (Iliad by Hom … |
| however | δὲ | de | G1161 | thenδέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; … |
| by [their] works | ἔργοις | ergois | G2041 | workἔργον (ergon) ἔργον, -ου, τό (originally Ϝέργον, work), [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for מַשֶׂה, מְלָאכָה, also for עֲבֹדָה, פֹּעַל, etc. ;] 1. work, task, employment: Mrk.13:34, Jhn.4:34 17:4, Act.13:2, Php.1:22 2:30, 1Th.5:13, al.; of an enterprise or undertaking (Deu.15:10, Wis.2:12), Act.5:38. … |
| they deny [Him] | ἀρνοῦνται | arnountai | G0720 | to denyἀρνέομαι (arneomai) ἀρνέομαι -οῦμαι, depon., [in LXX: Gen.18:15 (כָּחַשׁ pi.), Wis.12:27 16:16 17:10, 4Ma.8:7 4Mac 10:15 * ;] 1. to deny, say no, opposite to είπεῖν: absol., Mat.26:70, Luk.8:45; before ἅτι, 1Jn.2:22; with inf., Heb.11:24 2. In late Gk. (MM, see word), with accusative of person(s), to deny, refuse to acknowledge, disown: Act.3:14 7:35; Ἰησοῦν, Mat.10:33, 2Ti.2:12, 1Jn.2:22, Ju 4; ἑαυτόν, Luk.9:23, 2Ti.2:13 (prove false to) 3. C. accusative of thing(s) (in cl. to refuse), to deny, abjure: 1Ti.5:8, Tit.2:12, 2Ti.3:5 (cf. ἀπαρνέομαι) (AS) |
| detestable | βδελυκτοὶ | bdeluktoi | G0947 | abominableβδελυκτός (bdeluktos) βδελυκτός, ή, -όν (βδελύσσω), [in LXX: Pro.17:15 (תּוֹעֵבָה), Sir.41:5, 2Ma.1:27 * ;] abominable, detestable: Tit.1:16 (Cremer, 137).† (AS) |
| being | ὄντες | ontes | G1510 | you areεἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| disobedient | ἀπειθεῖς | apeitheis | G0545 | disobedientἀπειθής (apeithēs) ἀπειθής, -ές (πείθομαι), [in LXX for מַרְאָה, מְרִיא, סָרַר ;] disobedient: absol., Luk.1:17, Tit.1:16 3:3; with dative, Act.26:19, Rom.1:30, 2Ti.3:2.† (AS) |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| for | πρὸς | pros | G4314 | to/withπρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, … |
| any | πᾶν | pan | G3956 | allπᾶς (pas) πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. I. As adj., 1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. … |
| work | ἔργον | ergon | G2041 | workἔργον (ergon) ἔργον, -ου, τό (originally Ϝέργον, work), [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for מַשֶׂה, מְלָאכָה, also for עֲבֹדָה, פֹּעַל, etc. ;] 1. work, task, employment: Mrk.13:34, Jhn.4:34 17:4, Act.13:2, Php.1:22 2:30, 1Th.5:13, al.; of an enterprise or undertaking (Deu.15:10, Wis.2:12), Act.5:38. … |
| good | ἀγαθὸν | agathon | G0018 | goodἀγαθός (agathos) ἀγαθός, -ή, -όν, [in LXX chiefly for טוֹב ;] in general, good, in physical and in moral sense, used of persons, things, acts, conditions, etc., applied to that which is regarded as "perfect in its kind, so as to produce pleasure and satisfaction, . . . that which, in itself good, is also at once for the good and the advantage of him who comes in contact with it" (Cremer, 3): γῆ, Luk.8:8; δένδρον, Mat.7:18; καρδία, Luk.8:15; δόσις, Jas.1:17; μέρις, Luk.10:42; ἔργον (frequently in Pl.), Php.1:6; ἐλπίς, 2Th.2:16; θησαυρός, Mat.12:35; μνεία, 1Th.3:6 (cf. 2Ma.7:20); as subst., τὸ ἀ, that which is … |
| unfit. | ἀδόκιμοι.¶ | adokimoi | G0096 | failingἀδόκιμος (adokimos) ἀ-δόκιμος, -ον, [in LXX: Pro.25:4, Isa.1:22 (סִיג) * ;] 1. of things (prop. of metals: LXX, ll. with), not standing the test, rejected: γῆ, Heb.6:8. 2. Of persons, rejected after testing, reprobate: Rom.1:28, 1Co.9:27, 2Co.13:5-7, 2Ti.3:8, Tit.1:16 (Cremer, 212). † (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.