Titus 1:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
μὲν
are pure
G3303
μὲν
are pure
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μεμίανται
is defiled
G3392
μεμίανται
is defiled
Strong's:
G3392
Word #:
8 of 21
to sully or taint, i.e., contaminate (ceremonially or morally)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπίστοις
unbelieving
G571
ἀπίστοις
unbelieving
Strong's:
G571
Word #:
10 of 21
(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)
οὐδὲν
is nothing
G3762
οὐδὲν
is nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
11 of 21
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
μεμίανται
is defiled
G3392
μεμίανται
is defiled
Strong's:
G3392
Word #:
14 of 21
to sully or taint, i.e., contaminate (ceremonially or morally)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νοῦς
mind
G3563
νοῦς
mind
Strong's:
G3563
Word #:
18 of 21
the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Romans 14:14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.Romans 14:20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.1 Corinthians 10:23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.Matthew 15:18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.Romans 14:23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.1 Corinthians 10:31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.Acts 10:15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.1 Corinthians 8:7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.Hebrews 10:22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.1 Corinthians 10:25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
Historical Context
Judaizers imposed dietary laws on Gentile Christians, creating two-tier Christianity (clean/unclean foods, circumcised/uncircumcised). Paul's principle liberates from food laws while emphasizing genuine heart-purity. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10 develop this theology more fully. The defiled conscience can't be cleaned by ritual but only by Christ's blood (Hebrews 9:14).
Questions for Reflection
- Do you trust Christ's finished work to cleanse you, or do you add ritualistic practices as if His work were insufficient?
- How does your internal heart condition (pure versus defiled mind and conscience) affect your entire worldview?
- What modern legalisms function like food laws—external requirements masking internal corruption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Unto the pure all things are pure (πάντα καθαρὰ τοῖς καθαροῖς, panta kathara tois katharois)—refers to Old Testament ceremonial laws about clean/unclean foods, not moral license. Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19); the kingdom is not eating and drinking (Romans 14:17). The ritually pure person isn't defiled by ritual impurity because Christ's work supersedes ceremonial law.
But unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure—those μεμιασμένοις καὶ ἀπίστοις (memiasmenois kai apistois, defiled and faithless) find nothing clean because even their mind and conscience is defiled. νοῦς (nous, mind) and συνείδησις (syneidēsis, conscience) are corrupted. The problem isn't external ritual but internal condition. Unbelief pollutes everything; faith purifies all. The false teachers inverted this, making external ritual more important than internal reality.