Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Titus 1:13
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
13. This witness is true ] Not to be taken, as Dr Farrar says, au pied de la lettre, as though the Cretans were indiscriminately wicked. Nor to be taken as authority for ‘scolding’ in the modern sermon. The spirit of St Paul and of Titus must be taken with the letter: and the counsel of Bp Wilberforce remembered, ‘speak straight to them, as you would beg your life, or counsel your son, or call your dearest friend from a burning house, in plain, strong, earnest words’ ( Ordination Charge, 1846).
rebuke them sharply ] As above, convict or confute, Tit 1:9. R.V. loses much by ‘reprove,’ which is even weaker than ‘rebuke’ and quite unequal to the burden of ‘confute and condemn.’ The substantive corresponding to ‘sharply’ occurs Rom 11:22, in the metaphor of the cutting out of the evil branches from the olive tree, ‘the goodness and severity of God;’ and the adverb itself in 2Co 13:10 in reference to the severe measures to be taken by St Paul at Corinth, ‘that I may not when present deal sharply.’ Dr Reynolds puts the drift well: ‘a sharp knife, firm handling, free incisions, are needed for some poisonous and putrefying sores; and as in former days Titus had to shew the Corinthians how to purge out the old leaven, to deliver wicked persons to Satan, to rebuke pretentious Sciolism, so once more out of sheer kindness he was commanded not to spare them.’
that they may be sound in the faith ] Again ‘healthy,’ ‘healthful,’ keeping up, with this ‘Pastoral’ word, the metaphor of health in the body corporate of the Cretan Church. Compare Pro 15:4, ‘A wholesome tongue Heb. the healing of the tongue is a tree of life’ with Tit 1:10, and 1Ti 6:3, ‘if any man teacheth a different doctrine and consenteth not to sound wholesome words.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This witness is true – That is, this testimony long before borne by one of their own number, was true when the apostle wrote to Titus. The fact that this was the general Character of the people, was a reason why he should be on his guard in introducing men into the ministry, and in the arrangement of affairs pertaining to the church. That it was true, see proofs in Wetstein.
Wherefore rebuke them – Notes, 2Ti 4:2.
Sharply – apotomos – cuttingly, severely – from apotemno, to cut off. The word is used here in the sense of severity, meaning that the reproof should be such as would be understood, and would show them plainly the wickedness of such traits of character. He was not to be mealy-mouthed, but he was to call things by their right names, and not to spare their faults. When men know that they are doing wrong, we should tell them so in few words; if they do not know it, it is necessary to teach them, in order to convince them of their error.
That they may be sound in the faith – That they may not allow the prevailing vices to corrupt their views of religion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse.13. This witness is true.] What Epimenides said of them nearly 600 years before continued still to be true. Their original character had undergone no moral change.
Rebuke them sharply] . Cuttingly, severely; show no indulgence to persons guilty of such crimes.
That they may be sound in the faith] That they may receive the incorrupt doctrine, and illustrate it by a holy and useful life.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This witness is true; this testimony of Epimenides is true, what I have found by experience, and those of them that in profession have embraced the Christian faith may have some tincture of their nations vices.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply; if thou meetest with any such, reprove or convince them , cuttingly, that is, sharply, severely: the metaphor possibly is fetched from surgeons, who cut out dead flesh to the quick.
That they may be sound in the faith; that they may be sound in the doctrine of the gospel, or in their minds, not infected with any vice.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. This witness“Thistestimony (though coming from a Cretan) is true.”
sharplyGentlenesswould not reclaim so perverse offenders.
that theythat thoseseduced by the false teachers may be brought back to soundnessin the faith. Their malady is strifes about words and questions(Tit 3:9; 1Ti 6:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
This witness is true,…. The apostle confirms what the poet had said; he knew it to be fact from his own experience, and by the observation he had made when in the island: he does not say, that all that Epimenides had said, in the poem referred to, was true; but this character, which he had given of the Cretians, and which he cites, and uses to a good purpose; from whence it may be observed, that the writings of the Heathen poets may be read with profit, and be used to advantage, if carefully and prudently attended to; for what is truth, let it come from whom, or by what means it will, ought to be received.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply: not merely upon the testimony of the poet, but upon the confirmation of it by the apostle; and not because of these general and national characters, but because these things personally and particularly belonged to the persons before described; whom the apostle would have rebuked, both for their bad principles, teaching things that they ought not; and for their immoralities, their lying and deceit, their intemperance, luxury, and idleness, things very unbecoming the Christian name; and therefore since their offences were of an heinous nature, and they lived in them, and were hardened and obstinate, and were like to have a bad influence on others, they must be rebuked “sharply”: rebukes ought to be given according to the nature of offences, and the circumstances of them, and the offenders; some are to be given privately, others publicly; some should be reproved with gentleness and meekness, and be used in a tender and compassionate way; others more roughly, though never in a wrathful and passionate manner, yet with some degree of severity, at least with great plainness and faithfulness; laying open the nature of the evils guilty of in all their aggravated circumstances, without sparing them in the least; doing, as surgeons do by wounds, though they take the knife, and use it gently, yet cut deep, to the quick, and go to the bottom of the wound, and lay it open: and so the phrase may be rendered here, “rebuke them cuttingly”; cut them to the quick, and spare them not; deal not with them as Eli with his sons, 1Sa 2:23 but speak out, and expose their crimes, severely reprove them, that others may fear: and
that they may be sound in the faith; that they may be recovered from their errors, to the acknowledgment of the truth; that they may receive the sound doctrine of faith, the wholesome words of Christ, and speak the things which become them, and use sound speech, which cannot be condemned; and that they may be turned from their evil practices, and appear to be sound, as in the doctrine, so in the grace of faith; or that that by their works may appear to be genuine, true, and unfeigned; and that they may be strong and robust, hale and healthful, and not weak and sickly in the profession of their faith. Rebukes being to persons infected with bad principles and practices, like physic to sickly constitutions, a means of removing the causes of disorder; and in rebukes, admonitions, and censures, this always ought to be the end proposed, the good of the persons rebuked, admonished, and censured.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Testimony (). Of the poet Epimenides. Paul endorses it from his recent knowledge.
Sharply (). Old adverb from (from , to cut off), in N.T. only here and 2Co 13:10, “curtly,” “abruptly.” It is necessary to appear rude sometimes for safety, if the house is on fire and life is in danger.
That they may be sound ( ). Final clause with and present active subjunctive of , for which verb see on 1Ti 1:10.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Sharply [] . Only here and 2Co 13:10 (note). Paul has ajpotomia severity, Rom 11:22 (note). LXX, ajpotomwv severely, only Wisd. 5 22; ajpotomov severe (not in N. T.), Wisd. 5 20; 11 10; 12 9. From ajpotemnein to cut of. It signifies abrupt, harsh, summary dealing.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “This witness is true.” (he martisria hauta estin aIethes) “This testimony is true.” This is their habit of life. It appears that this habit pattern of gluttony and living like animals morally was over-lapping their Christian profession.
2) “Wherefore rebuke them sharply.” (di’ hen aitian elegche autous apotomos) “On account of this, rebuke them severely or sharply.” To rebuke for wrong is important in instructing in righteousness and an important factor in Christian growth, 2Ti 4:2.
3) “That they may be sound in the faith.” (hina hugiainosin en te pistei) “In order that they may be healthy or secure in the practice of their faith.” Truth and error like water and oil just will not harmoniously or usefully mix. Luk 16:13; 1Jn 2:15.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13. This testimony is true. (230) How worthiness soever the witness may have been, (231) yet the truth which has been spoken by him is acknowledged by Paul. The inhabitants of Crete, of whom he speaks with such sharpness were undoubtedly very wicked. The Apostle, who is wont to reprove mildly those who deserved to be treated with extreme severity, would never have spoken so harshly of the Cretans, if he had not been moved by very strong reasons. What term more reproachful than these opprobrious epithets can be imagined; that they were “lazy, devoted to the belly, destitute of truth, evil beasts?” Nor are these vices charged against one or a few persons, but he condemns the whole nation.
It was truly a wonderful purpose of God, that he called a nation so depraved, and so infamous on account of its vices, to be among the first who should partake of the gospel; but his goodness is not less worthy of admiration, in having bestowed heavenly grace on those who did not even deserve to live in this world. (232) In that country so corrupt, as if in the midst of hell, the Church of Christ held a position, and did not cease to be extended, though it was infected by the corruption of the evils which prevailed there; for here Paul not only reproves those who were strangers to the faith, but expressly reproves those who had made a profession of Christianity. Perceiving that these vices so hateful have already taken root, and are spreading far and wide, he does not spare the reputation of the whole nation, that he may attempt the care of those whom there was some hope of healing.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply Of that circumspection and prudence with which a bishop ought to be endowed, it is not the least part, that he regulate his manner of teaching by the dispositions and conduct of men. We must not deal with obstinate and unruly persons in the same manner as with those who are meek and teachable; for, in instructing the latter, we ought to use such mildness as is suitable to their teachable disposition, while the stubbornness of the former must be severely corrected, and (as the saying is) for a bad knot there must be a bad wedge. (233) The reason why Titus ought to be more sharp and severe in rebuking them has been already stated, namely, that they are “evil beasts.”
That they may be sound in the faith Whether the “soundness” or “healthfulness” is here contrasted with the diseases which he has mentioned, or whether he simply commands them to remain in the sound faith, is uncertain. I prefer the latter view. As they already are exceedingly vicious, and may easily be corrupted more and more, he wishes them to be more closely and strictly kept within the pure faith. (234)
(230) “The general character of the Cretans, noticed in Paul’s Epistle to Titus, is confirmed by the testimony of antiquity. The Apostle, writing to Titus, who had been left in Crete to regulate the affairs of the Christian Church in that island, complains of many disorderly men there, — ‘many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, who subvert whole houses, (or families,) teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake, (Tit 1:10); and he quotes the following verse from ‘one of themselves, a prophet of their own,’ namely, Epimenides, who was a Cretan poet, and whose writings were by the ancients termed χρησμοὶ or ‘oracles,’
Κρὢτεσ ἀεὶ ψεῦσται, κακὰ θηρία, γαστέρες ἀργαί.
The general import of which passage is, that ‘the Cretans were a false people, and united in their character the ferocity of the wild beast with the luxury of the domesticated one.’ The circumstance of Paul’s styling Epimenides ‘a prophet’ is sufficiently explained by the fact of the words Poet and Prophet being often used promiscuously by the Greeks and Romans, — probably because their poets pretended to be inspired, and were by some believed to be so. The Apostle adds, that the testimony of Epimenides is but too true, ‘this witness is true.’ How true the first part of it is, with respect to their deceit and lying, the following facts will attest. From the time of Homer, the island of Crete was regarded as the scene of fiction. Many authors affirm that, as a people, its inhabitants were infamous for their violation of truth; and at length their falsehood became so notorious, that Κρητίζειν to Cretise, or imitate the Cretans, was a proverbial expression among the ancients for lying.” — Horne’s Introduction.
(231) “ Combien que l’autheur soit profane et de nulle authorite.” — “Although the author is a heathen and of no authority.”
(232) “ De vivre en ce monde.”
(233) “ A un mauvais noeud il faut un mauvais coin.”
(234) “We have to observe that here, in a single word, Paul declares to us by what means men may defend themselves. It is, by keeping the purity of faith. If, then, we do not turn aside from the simple doctrine of the gospel, but wish to be governed according to the will of God; if we are not carried away by our volatile passions, and do not walk according to our groveling appetites; in short, if we are good scholars of our God, and reckon it enough to have received the doctrine which he teaches us; if that be the case, we shall be fortified against all evil. It is true, the devil will seek to poison the whole world with his venom, and will spread his filth everywhere, so that the world will be full of so many corruptions that every place shall be infected by them. But however that may be, we must not turn aside from time simplicity of our faith, and must always seek to be instructed simply by our God. When we follow this course, though the devil may contrive all that he can, still we shall be fortified against all evil.”— Fr. Ser.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) This witness is true.St. Paul emphatically here endorses the very severe judgment which their own great prophet-poet had written on the national Cretan character. He (St. Paul) had lived long enough in their midst to be able to bear his grave testimony to the truth of Epimenides words. He had witnessed the sad havoc in Christian life which their evil national propensities had caused.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.Some render, wherefore confute, that is to say, set them right, sharply (apotoms). The substantive apotomia, translated in the English version severity, is used in the passage about the wild olive tree (Rom. 11:22). As a surgeons knife cuts away the diseased and mortifying flesh, so must the words and discipline of Titus, the Apostles representative in Crete, sharply rebuke, and, if need be, punish the sinning members of the congregation. Not merely the false teachersthe deceiversare referred to here, but also the deceived, those whole households mentioned in Tit. 1:11; and the object of this severity in words and acts was that the lapsed, the doctrinally and morally sick, among the Cretan Christians, should be restored to health again; and the sound state of faith and practice would, St. Paul proceeded to show, consist in the rejection of Jewish fables and the commandments of these men.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. This witness is too universal not to be true. St. Paul had not only read the fact, but he had seen it. He adds his own confirmation to the ancient testimony. It was not mere slander and witty sarcasm, but sober and solemn truth, with the consequent solemn duty now to be apostolically enjoined. Rebuke all these vices in them. Sound, or healthful, (see note, l Timothy Tit 1:10,) in the faith For it is a very unhealthy Christian faith that accords with lying, brutality, or gluttony.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘This testimony is true. For which reason reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,’
Paul confirms his view that this testimony is in general true of Cretans, and therefore calls on Titus to reprove sharply (incisively) any who behave like this and call on believers to live as those who are sound in faith. The behaviour described in Tit 1:12 is not for Christians, and is contrary to all for which Christians stand. It is a reminder that we also should consider our national characteristics and repudiate any which are contrary to the teaching of Christ.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Tit 1:13. Sharply ‘ ;with a cutting severity. The word is an allusion to a surgeon’s cutting away the dead flesh, and that even to the quick. We are to observe, that the apostle speaks here of reproving vice, not error. Timothy is exhorted to rebuke with all long-suffering; 2Ti 4:2 and we may remark, that there is a degree of long-suffering and gentleness, very consistent with all that severity which faithfulness requires: which is not that of boisterous passion, ill-nature, and scurrility, but of meek, though resolute zeal for God, and friendship to the offender; which yet will not be silenced by trifling excuses, nor fail seriously to represent the fatal consequences which may attend the evil reproved.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Tit 1:13 . In confirmation of the verse quoted, Paul says: , and attaches to it an exhortation to Titus. Bertholdt, without reason, holds this verse to be a later interpolation.
] see 2Ti 1:6 . Chrysostom: ; it refers to the picture of the Cretan character given in the testimony.
] , as in Tit 1:9 ; “the apostle here drops all reference to the bishops to be appointed, and assigns to Titus himself the duty of applying a remedy” (Wiesinger).
] not so much the heretics as the Cretans, who were exposed to their misleading influence. These latter needed the , because they were not resisting the heretics as they ought, but (as shows) were yielding to them easily.
] “sharply, strictly;” elsewhere only in 2Co 13:10 ; the substantive in Rom 11:22 .
] “ that they may be sound in the faith .” De Wette takes this as the immediate contents of the , just as occurs with , but without good grounds. here is not instrumental (Heinrichs: per religionem), but is the subject in which they are to be sound.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Ver. 13. Rebuke them sharply ] Gr. , cuttingly, precisely, rigidly, severely, and to the quick. A metaphor from surgeons, who must not be melch-hearted, saith Celsus, a but pare away the dead flesh, Ne pars sincera trahatur. Howbeit, that is a good rule given by a godly divine, that although there must be some warmth in a reproof, yet it must not be scalding hot. Words of reviling and disgrace, they scald, as it were. But words that tend to stir up the conscience to a due consideration of the error or evil reproved, they be duly warm, and tend to make the medicine work more kindly. Evangelizatum non maledictum missus es, said Oecolampadins to Farellus: laudo zelum, mode non desideretur mansuetudo. Vinum et oleum in tempore suo infundendum. Evangelistam non tyrannicum legislatorem praestes. Thou art sent to preach, not to rail. Thy zeal I commend, so it be mingled with meekness. Wine must be poured into men’s wounds one while and oil another. Thou must show thyself a peaceable preacher, not a tyrannical lawgiver. (Oecolamp. Ep. ad Gul. Farel.) Rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering, saith Paul to Timothy, 2Ti 4:2 . Timothy, they say, was somewhat sharp and tart in his reproofs; and is therefore exhorted to patience and meekness. Titus was gentle, and of a mild disposition; and is therefore thus spurred on to sharpness and severity. The Cretians also were (possibly) a worse people than the Ephesians, and were therefore to be more hardly handled. Let it ever be remembered that matters of moment must be wisely but yet seriously dealt with. To tell wicked men of their sins so softly as Eli did his sons, or reprove them so gently as Jehoshaphat did Ahab (“Let not the king say so”), doth usually as much harm as good; like a weak dose in physic, it stirreth the humours, but purgeth them not.
a Chirurgos misericordes esse non oportet.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
13 .] This testimony is true. Wherefore ( , Chrys.) reprove them sharply ( , , Chrys. , ‘cut off,’ ‘ abrupt :’ hence, met., ‘rugged,’ ‘harsh;’ so Eur. Alcest. 985, : Soph. d. Tyr. 876, ), that (in order that: De W. takes . . ., for the substance of the rebuke, as in and the like (?): but there appears to be no sufficient reason for this) they may be healthy in the faith (not, ‘ in faith ,’ as Conyb.: even were no article expressed after , it might be ‘in the faith:’ when that article is expressed, the definite reference can never be overlooked. The indicated here, who are to be thus rebuked in order to their soundness in the faith, are manifestly not the false teachers, but the ordinary believers: cf. Tit 1:14 ),
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Tit 1:13 . : See on 2Ti 1:6 .
: severely . The noun , severitas , occurs Rom 11:22 . See Moulton and Milligan, Expositor , vii., vi. 192.
: See note on 1Ti 1:10 . The intention of the reproof was not merely the securing of a controversial triumph, but “to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived”. expresses the object aimed at in the reproof, not the substance of it.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
witness = testimony.
true. App-175.
Wherefore = on account of (Greek. dia App-104. Tit 1:2) which.
rebuke. Greek. elencho. See Tit 1:9. Occurs also Tit 2:15.
sharply. Greek. apotomos. Elsewhere only 2Co 13:10; the noun in Rom 11:22.
faith. See Tit 1:1. Here, doctrine of the gospel. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct). App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
13.] This testimony is true. Wherefore ( , Chrys.) reprove them sharply ( , , Chrys. , cut off, abrupt: hence, met., rugged, harsh; so Eur. Alcest. 985, : Soph. d. Tyr. 876, ), that (in order that: De W. takes …, for the substance of the rebuke, as in and the like (?): but there appears to be no sufficient reason for this) they may be healthy in the faith (not, in faith, as Conyb.: even were no article expressed after , it might be in the faith: when that article is expressed, the definite reference can never be overlooked. The indicated here, who are to be thus rebuked in order to their soundness in the faith, are manifestly not the false teachers, but the ordinary believers: cf. Tit 1:14),
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Tit 1:13. , true) Although it comes from a Cretan.-, rebuke) The chief part of the rebuke follows.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Tit 1:13
This testimony is true.-This was still true; they retained their evil characters; the Christians were still tempted into the sins which these qualities would lead; they were gross sins and demoralizing in their character.
For which cause reprove them sharply,-Because of this he admonishes Titus to rebuke them sharply-reprove all aberrations from the truth. [As the surgeon cuts out the diseased flesh in order, by the painful operation, to restore the patient to health, so must the words of Titus be severe when necessary. Titus had to deal with those who were rough and uncultivated, and therefore should be dealt with accordingly. There must be in reproving a distinguishing between sins; some are more gross and heinous in their nature or in the manner of their commission with openness and boldness to the greater dishonor of God and danger and hurt to men and between sinners; some are of a more tender and tractable temper, more apt to be wrought upon by gentleness and to be greatly discouraged by too much roughness and severity; others are more hardy and stubborn and need more sharp language to beget in them remorse and shame. Wisdom therefore is requisite to temper and manage reproofs aright as may be most likely to bring about the desired result. To that end the inspired directions are: On some have mercy, who are in doubt; and some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Jud 1:22-23.)]
that they may be sound in the faith,-That they may remain faithful and true to the faith in God as revealed through Jesus Christ.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
rebuke: Tit 2:15, Pro 27:5, 2Co 13:10, 1Ti 5:20, 2Ti 4:2
that: Tit 2:2, Lev 19:17, Psa 119:80, Psa 141:5, 2Co 7:8-12, 1Ti 4:6
Reciprocal: Pro 15:5 – but Pro 24:25 – them Pro 26:5 – a fool Mar 8:33 – he rebuked 2Co 13:5 – in the faith Col 3:9 – Lie 1Ti 5:7 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Tit 1:13. Paul agrees with the Cretan prophet who said the accusing things about his countrymen. Such people do not deserve much compassion, hence the apostle bids Titus rebuke them sharply. That they may be sound in the faith states the motive for the sharp rebuke, not that it is certain to have that result.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Tit 1:13. Paul boldy adds his own testimony to base on it an exhortation to a sharp or severe handling of the people.
Rebuke is confute, as in Tit 1:9 the elders were to do.
Sharply, or unsparingly, with a view to their becoming sound in the faith. The Gospel has power to subdue the wildest natures.
Tit 1:14 defines the evil to be cured (cf. 1Ti 1:4; 1Ti 4:1).
Fables; literally, myths, fantastic fictions about the world of spirits, nourished by the secret teaching traditional among the Jews (Matthies); Rabbinical fables and fabrications, whether in history or doctrine (Ellicott). Word only found in Pastoral Epistles and in 2Pe 1:16.
The commandments were late glosses on the Mosaic law with no moral basis, chiefly turning on distinction between clean and unclean (cf. Mat 15:9 and Mark vii 7). Against these last, Tit 1:15 lays down the broad rule of Christian faith which cuts false asceticism to the root.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them {n} sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(n) Clearly and plainly, and do not go about the bush with them.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Paul evidently felt these qualities marked the false teachers especially. Therefore he charged Titus to rebuke them sharply.
"Failure to confront problems within the church, whether theologically or practically based, may be indicative of a basic indifference with regard to God’s truth or the nurturing of truly Christian relationships. The fear of giving offense and a highly individualized view of personal faith may discourage church leaders from following the biblical mandate to rebuke. The restoration that is possible both in fellowship and in sound doctrine is compromised by this reluctance to confront. Loving, sensitive, yet firm confrontation can result in stronger relationships and restored unity or perhaps a needed purging of those who deny the truth." [Note: Griffin, p. 290.]
Apparently Jewish myths and laws laid down by those who rejected God’s truth fascinated these false teachers (cf. Mat 15:9; Mar 7:7; 1Ti 1:4; 1Ti 4:3-7; 1Ti 6:3-4; 2Ti 4:4; Col 2:21-22).
The context does not clarify whether those who turn away from the truth are believers or unbelievers (cf. 2Th 2:3). They could be Christians (cf. Luk 8:13; 1Ti 4:1; Heb 3:12) [Note: Knight, p. 295.] or non-Christians (cf. Luk 13:27; 2Th 2:11) or both.