What does this mean: “To the pure all things are pure”?

[Ezra]

In order to understand Scripture we need to always relate the quotation to the context.  So what is the context of this saying?  It is Titus 1:9-16, and Paul is speaking about Jewish false teachers from Crete and what they are doing within the churches:

 GAINSAYERS 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

VAIN TALKERS, DECEIVERS, JEWS 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

SUBVERTERS FOCUSED ON MONETARY GAIN 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

CRETANS: LIARS, EVIL BEASTS, IDLE GLUTTONS 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

REBUKE NECESSARY 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

SPREADING JEWISH  FABLES, AND THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

DEFILING  EVERYTHING 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.

FALSE PROFESSORS AND REPROBATE 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Why did Paul say “To the pure all things are pure” in this context? Just as the scribes and Pharisees condemned the apostles for not ritually washing their hands as required by rabbinic traditions, and accused them of being defiled, these false teachers were teaching the churches that they must follow the Jewish dietary restrictions of the Old Covenant, and that some meats were *defiled* (e.g. pork) while other meats were *pure* (e.g. beef and mutton).  

This is the general understanding by commentators of this verse in context, and these comments by Matthew Henry bear repeating: To good Christians that are sound in the faith and thereby purified all things are pure. Meats and drinks, and such things as were forbidden under the law (the observances of which some still maintain), in these there is now no such distinction, all are pure (lawful and free in their use), but to those that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; things lawful and good they abuse and turn to sin; they suck poison out of that from which others draw sweetness; their mind and conscience, those leading faculties, being defiled, a taint is communicated to all they do.

The issue of clean and unclean meats is discussed several times in the New Testament, and the clear teaching of Christ is stated in Romans 14:14: I 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.  Thus, “to the pure all things are pure”.

Can this in any way be applied to idol-worship, when the first and second commandments of the Ten Commandments  make it clear that idolatry is a sin, and the rest of Scripture calls idolatry spiritual “adultery”?  The answer should be obvious.

[Kan]

When you look at the value of a soul in the light of the cross, you cannot cringe at anybody, although that's certainly not my experience. But I heard of a Person who asked forgiveness for those that murdered Him.

[Ezra]

3 minutes ago, Kan said:

When you look at the value of a soul in the light of the cross, you cannot cringe at anybody. That's not my experience though.

Not sure how this is relevant to the subject.  What Paul is saying is that in the light of the cross, no meat is to be considered unclean. But idol worship will always be a sin. The value of a soul is not the subject, but the presence of false teachers is the subject in this passage.

[simplejeff]

You can't have it both ways.

In other thread(s) it was noted that Paul says to NOT BE a stumbling block, and you said pretty directly instead 

that it's not your fault, the fault is the weak believer, that they should not be weak ((as if that was possible)) --

essentially you posted that the one weak in faith is at fault ,

directly contrary to what is written and unchanged in Scripture.

[Esther4:14]

Hmm, I don't know, it sounds like he is rebuking a lot more than imposing dietary restrictions even explaining the same revelation to two different groups of people.  I am also not quite seeing how this would relate to the subject of idolatry.  I don't see this as an obvious connection.  In fact, I think this actually becomes a distraction from what Paul is saying in context. In fact, he never even mentions anything to do with dietary restrictions in this passage at all. 

However, I am familiar with and have respect for Matthew Henry's commentary, I think his connection to dietary laws continues to prove that the suggestion of replacement theology in church history is only an accusation with no evidence.  

Matthew Henry clearly takes a much more innocent reflection on these passages then they literally relate to the reader. 

Love always hopes (1 Corinthians 13:7).

[Kan]

6 hours ago, Ezra said:

Not sure how this is relevant to the subject.  What Paul is saying is that in the light of the cross, no meat is to be considered unclean. But idol worship will always be a sin. The value of a soul is not the subject, but the presence of false teachers is the subject in this passage.

The context is about the value of a soul as above everything else, and it is talking about purity in motive to serve God.

There are people who will pick on whatever they think is impure, to criticize and make themselves seem better. But to such people anything can be denounced as impure, because they themselves have impure motives and therefor they think that no one else can have pure motives except themselves.

A bishop must be blameless, he will not see dirt in people, but precious lost souls like Jesus does, unless he is defiled and unforgiving himself.

 

[SINNERSAVED]

14 hours ago, Ezra said:

In order to understand Scripture we need to always relate the quotation to the context.  So what is the context of this saying?  It is Titus 1:9-16, and Paul is speaking about Jewish false teachers from Crete and what they are doing within the churches:

 GAINSAYERS 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

VAIN TALKERS, DECEIVERS, JEWS 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

SUBVERTERS FOCUSED ON MONETARY GAIN 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

CRETANS: LIARS, EVIL BEASTS, IDLE GLUTTONS 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

REBUKE NECESSARY 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

SPREADING JEWISH  FABLES, AND THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

DEFILING  EVERYTHING 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.

FALSE PROFESSORS AND REPROBATE 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Why did Paul say “To the pure all things are pure” in this context? Just as the scribes and Pharisees condemned the apostles for not ritually washing their hands as required by rabbinic traditions, and accused them of being defiled, these false teachers were teaching the churches that they must follow the Jewish dietary restrictions of the Old Covenant, and that some meats were *defiled* (e.g. pork) while other meats were *pure* (e.g. beef and mutton).  

This is the general understanding by commentators of this verse in context, and these comments by Matthew Henry bear repeating: To good Christians that are sound in the faith and thereby purified all things are pure. Meats and drinks, and such things as were forbidden under the law (the observances of which some still maintain), in these there is now no such distinction, all are pure (lawful and free in their use), but to those that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; things lawful and good they abuse and turn to sin; they suck poison out of that from which others draw sweetness; their mind and conscience, those leading faculties, being defiled, a taint is communicated to all they do.

The issue of clean and unclean meats is discussed several times in the New Testament, and the clear teaching of Christ is stated in Romans 14:14: I 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.  Thus, “to the pure all things are pure”.

Can this in any way be applied to idol-worship, when the first and second commandments of the Ten Commandments  make it clear that idolatry is a sin, and the rest of Scripture calls idolatry spiritual “adultery”?  The answer should be obvious.

Okay Ezra , you brought it up, for you have not read what I wrote, about the dietary laws ?

 it has not gone away and that it holds until today , but this is by discipline and honor to God that we do this, and not by the miss interpret scriptures you have sited, you claim I have been given false teachings and yet you are saying , that everyone just about needs to be rebuked and treated as sinful people unable to be saved according to you , you have displayed  more  Hate then any one else, in your lessons, I asked you if you be my brother in the lord, and you rejected that,

 no consideration, for those that are not skilled as you think you are in scripture, I still call you brother, and you say I need to be rebuked,

 and I need to follow this and that, you have put stumbling blocks for me and every one to be saved or having grace from God, and forgot the passion to love your neighbor  so I wanted to clear this up,  the dietary law is still valid to day as it was in the O.T

 fact, then you say meats are all now clean to eat,  you are correct, But except what was already instructed to us , from God by God to His people and it is also the people of today , the so lets see, the swine, or pig, was NEVER A SOURCE OF MEAT TO BE EATEN IN THE FIRST PLACE , but you put it in the same as the others and claim it , you have violated the instruction, or TORAH of God, in Leviticus, period,

this is truth and fact, there is no way around that, you are wrong and it is what scripture states,

 second Jesus came to the cross to save us, but where the law of sin and death of moses had no power to save from death and sin, the Son of God came to fulfill this, so we are saved now by the gift of grace by the blood on the cross to , have us transformed to mortal to immortal  when we are redeemed, , so jesus took that law away , or really fullfiled it, and the priest ceremony, law, these are the two that was done away with , the rest remains the Torah was not for only the O.T and so if we dismiss that then we are going against what God has told us in scripture, so do not let any one or any man deceive you , for in the end times, there will be those that bring in false teachings, and you were warned, not to let any one deceive you

this is truth and scriptural , and it is what Gods scripture proclaims., you cannot turn this over to fit your needs or your point of view, it is Gods word , not mine, and it is , as He is , I AM that  IM,  He is God , and we are not

 blessings and peace I hope I have cleared this up for your understanding and a lesson , and word that God has wanted all to know ,

 

[Ezra]

1 hour ago, SINNERSAVED said:

Okay Ezra , you brought it up, for you have not read what I wrote, about the dietary laws ?

I did read what you brought up and basically you have REJECTED the teaching of Christ Himself (as quoted above).  When someone rejects and resists what Christ teaches, he is in big trouble. Jesus say all meats are clean.  SS say I refuse to accept that.

[Ezra]

8 hours ago, Kan said:

The context is about the value of a soul as above everything else, and it is talking about purity in motive to serve God.

The context is about false teachers who defiled everything and were to be soundly rebuked.   Please go back and read the passage.

[MorningGlory]

5 hours ago, SINNERSAVED said:

this is truth and fact, there is no way around that, you are wrong and it is what scripture states,

 second Jesus came to the cross to save us, but where the law of sin and death of moses had no power to save from death and sin, the Son of God came to fulfill this, so we are saved now by the gift of grace by the blood on the cross to , have us transformed to mortal to immortal  when we are redeemed, , so jesus took that law away , or really fullfiled it, and the priest ceremony, law, these are the two that was done away with , the rest remains the Torah was not for only the O.T and so if we dismiss that then we are going against what God has told us in scripture, so do not let any one or any man deceive you , for in the end times, there will be those that bring in false teachings, and you were warned, not to let any one deceive you

this is truth and scriptural , and it is what Gods scripture proclaims., you cannot turn this over to fit your needs or your point of view, it is Gods word , not mine, and it is , as He is , I AM that  IM,  He is God , and we are not

 blessings and peace I hope I have cleared this up for your understanding and a lesson , and word that God has wanted all to know ,

 

SS, it is actually you who is wrong.  You are arguing against the words of Jesus Himself.  You are arguing against Scripture and putting your own meaning on parts of the Bible which clearly states all things are permissible to eat.  That is the proclamation of God.  Either you want to follow your own opinions, above God, or you simply don't understand what is written.  See below:

 

1 Tim. 4

4:1 ¶ But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;

5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

Matt 14:19

“Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds”

Acts 21:25

“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”

Rom 14:21

“It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.”

1 Cor. 8:8 

“But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.”

1Co 10:25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake;

Acts 10 :9-15

9* ¶ On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

10* But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance;

11* and he *saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground,

12* and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.

13* A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”

14* But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”

15* Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”