Titus 1:16 kjv

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Titus 1:16 nkjv

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Titus 1:16 niv

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Titus 1:16 esv

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Titus 1:16 nlt

Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

Titus 1 verses

Titus 1 16 Meaning

Titus 1:16 describes individuals who claim to possess knowledge of God but whose actions directly contradict their verbal profession. Their deeds demonstrate a fundamental denial of the God they purport to know. Consequently, their character and spiritual condition are revealed as abhorrent, rebellious against divine truth, and utterly incapable of performing any truly good work that God would approve. This verse highlights the profound disconnect between outward religious declaration and the inner reality of a transformed life.

Titus 1 16 Context

Titus chapter 1 establishes the qualifications for elders, outlining the type of character and conduct necessary for church leaders. Paul had left Titus in Crete to "put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town" (Titus 1:5). This was crucial because Crete had a challenging social and spiritual environment. The people were known for their inherent vices (Titus 1:12), making it particularly vital for Christian leaders and communities to distinguish themselves through exemplary living. Verse 16 directly contrasts with the positive examples given earlier. It speaks of those who are essentially "inside agitators"—individuals within or interacting with the church who present themselves as religious authorities but are actually impediments to the Gospel. These were likely Judaizers or false teachers advocating a form of godliness that was divorced from true moral transformation, focusing perhaps on rituals or external distinctions rather than an inner change manifested by Christ-like deeds. Paul uses this sharp indictment to expose their hypocrisy and to warn Titus and the Cretan believers against them, underscoring that genuine faith must be evidenced by transformed lives.

Titus 1 16 Word analysis

• They profess: (Greek: φάσκουσιν - phaskousin from φάσκω - phaskō) – This verb means to affirm, declare, or profess. It often carries the nuance of declaring something that is not necessarily true or has not been proven. It points to a mere verbal claim, an assertion of knowledge without corresponding reality.
• to know God: (Greek: εἰδέναι τὸν θεόν - eidenai ton Theon) – "Eidenai" signifies a knowing that comes from experience or intimate acquaintance, not merely intellectual apprehension. Here, the claim is one of intimate, saving knowledge of God, similar to that spoken of in John 17:3. The irony is profound: they claim to "know" Him in a deep way, yet their actions utterly belie this intimacy.
• but by their deeds: (Greek: τοῖς ἔργοις - tois ergois) – "Ergois" refers to actions, works, or conduct. This is the tangible evidence. The opposition ("but") is stark between their empty words and their damning actions. Their conduct is the irrefutable witness against their profession.
• they deny Him: (Greek: ἀρνοῦνται - arnountai) – "Arnountai" means to deny, disown, reject, or refuse to acknowledge. This is a very strong word, suggesting a deliberate and open renunciation through action. It is not just ignorance but an active counter-witness. They behave in a manner that fundamentally repudiates the character of God.
• being detestable: (Greek: βδελυκτοὶ ὄντες - bdeluktoi ontes) – "Bdeluktos" means abominable, loathsome, odious, or detestable. It denotes something so repugnant that it provokes divine disgust. It implies moral corruption and wickedness that is offensive to God's holy nature, often used in connection with idols or practices hated by God (cf. Lk 16:15).
• disobedient: (Greek: καὶ ἀπειθεῖς - kai apeitheis) – "Apeitheis" means disobedient, unbelieving, unpersuadable. It signifies not merely a lack of obedience, but an active refusal to be persuaded or convinced, often rooted in unbelief. It describes a heart that rejects divine authority and truth.
• and unfit: (Greek: καὶ πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἀδόκιμοι - kai pros pan ergon agathon adokimoi) – "Adokimos" means disapproved, rejected after testing, worthless, counterfeit, disqualified. This word was used for metals that failed to meet standards and were therefore discarded. Here, it indicates moral and spiritual worthlessness; they are incapable of passing the divine "test" for genuinely good work because of their inherent corruption.
• for any good deed: (Greek: πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν - pros pan ergon agathon) – This refers to every type of truly moral and godly work. The phrase indicates a total incapacity. Not just some good deeds, but "any" or "every" good deed. They are utterly unqualified or morally sterile regarding anything that would honor God or build up His kingdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him: This phrase lays bare the core issue: hypocrisy. It starkly contrasts an empty intellectual or verbal claim of piety ("to know God") with the revealing evidence of ungodly behavior ("by their deeds they deny Him"). This isn't just about moral failure, but about an active repudiation of God's nature through actions. The 'knowing God' these individuals claim is clearly not a transformative, obedient relationship but a mere mental assertion.
• being detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed: This triad provides a comprehensive description of their moral and spiritual degeneracy.
  • Detestable describes their character as abhorrent and repulsive in God's eyes. It’s an inherent state of being that is anti-God.
  • Disobedient characterizes their relationship to God's commands—a state of rebellion and resistance to divine truth and will. This stems from a core lack of faith that trusts and submits to God.
  • Unfit for any good deed points to their complete spiritual uselessness in God's service. They are disqualified from genuine ministry or work that is pleasing to God. Their works, if any, stem from a false motive or are tainted by their ungodly character, making them unacceptable in God's sight.

Titus 1 16 Bonus section

The contrast between "profession" and "deeds" in Titus 1:16 is a foundational theme throughout Scripture, especially in distinguishing between nominal faith and true saving faith. This verse functions as a powerful corrective to any theology that prioritizes ritual or intellectual assent over ethical transformation and Spirit-empowered obedience. It exposes the danger of self-deception in spiritual matters, emphasizing that the proof of genuine relationship with God lies not in words but in lived reality. The false teachers Paul is confronting in Crete (and by extension, the church universally) illustrate the internal threat to the church—those who remain spiritually defiled while maintaining an outward facade of godliness. Their "unfitness for any good deed" suggests a pervasive moral depravity that renders them unable to contribute constructively to the church or the advancement of God's kingdom. This lack of fruitfulness is directly tied to their spiritual state, emphasizing that truly good deeds spring only from a genuine, obedient knowledge of God, not from a hypocritical facade.

Titus 1 16 Commentary

Titus 1:16 delivers a severe indictment against those who masquerade as religious but are devoid of true piety. It asserts that genuine faith is never a mere verbal assertion or intellectual assent but is tangibly validated by one's conduct. The hypocrisy described here is not a minor fault but a profound spiritual state where their external claim ("profess to know God") is in direct, fundamental opposition to their internal reality, evident through their "deeds." These individuals actively "deny Him" through their life choices, demonstrating a practical apostasy despite their theological pretense. The consequence of this denial is a spiritual condition described in escalating terms: "detestable" to God, demonstrating "disobedience" to His will, and rendering them "unfit for any good deed." This final descriptor, "unfit" (adokimoi), likens them to materials failing a quality test, rendering them worthless for divine purposes. It highlights that God does not evaluate spiritual reality based on words, but on transformed character that produces fruit aligning with His nature and commands. The verse therefore serves as a vital discernment tool, urging believers to judge spiritual claims not by outward profession, but by the tangible evidence of a Christ-like life, a life committed to genuine goodness.

• Example: A person loudly claims to be a devout Christian but consistently cheats in business dealings or spreads gossip. Their deeds reveal a denial of the God of truth and love they claim to know.
• Example: An individual teaches sound doctrine but engages in secret immorality. Their "good deed" of teaching becomes "unfit" due to the detestable, disobedient character it hides.