Titus 1:11
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Study Note
Study Note
The instruction that the mouths of insubordinate teachers 'must be stopped' (epistomizein, literally to put a bit in a mouth as for a horse) addresses a phenomenon Paul identifies throughout the Pastoral Epistles: household disruption by teachers who 'subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.' The Cretan cultural context (vv. 12-13 cite a Cretan poet calling Cretans 'liars, evil beasts, slow bellies') suggests the problem is not merely abstract heresy but ethically corrupt itinerant teachers exploiting hospitality networks. The phrase 'filthy lucre' (aischron kerdos) is the Pastoral Epistles' repeated characterisation of ministry-for-profit (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; 1 Peter 5:2), indicating a widespread problem requiring systematic response in church governance. The verse helped establish the principle that false teaching is not protected speech within the community but requires ecclesiastical discipline.
Other Translations
whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
whose mouth it behoveth to stop, who whole households do overturn, teaching what things it behoveth not, for filthy lucre's sake.
By whom some families have been completely overturned; who take money for teaching things which are not right; these will have to be stopped.
Cross References
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them …
The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving …
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look …
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one …
And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the …
That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I …
Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; …
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: …
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye …