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Titus 1:12
12 One [tis] of [ek] themselves [autos], even a prophet [prophetes] of their [autos] own [idios], said [epo], The Cretians [Kres] are alway [aei] liars [pseustes], evil [kakos] beasts [therion], slow [argos] bellies [gaster]. KJV-Interlinear
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." NASB
This verse tells us a little bit about Paul as well as giving us some insight into the lifestyles of folks in Crete.
First Paul has a sense of humor. He takes a comment from one of the local’s and makes it into a directive guideline for Titus.
Today we might say to someone who is going to visit the nations capital, ‘Be careful while you are there, they are all crooks in that town.’ And while we say it in jest, it really isn’t too far from the truth. So humor and truth can go hand in hand at times.
Second, Paul is in tune with the local news and culture. The people there lead such a frivolous life, that they will joke about themselves openly.
And third, the prophet Paul cites here is one of a type of muse. Someone who, like the comedians of our day, will cite day to day news items with a twist of humor. I think they call it sarcasm. The roll of the eyes, kind of comment.
The muse, of those days was someone who was a source of inspiration in the arts, particularly in poetry, tragedy, dance, and comedy. This is not a reference to a prophet in the Biblical sense.
So, Titus had his work cut out for him. He was to find someone who was perfect of character, among a society that looked to gluttony and self serving selfishness. They thought more of their stomachs, than their eternal future. They thought more of their immediate satisfaction than they did their tomorrows.
Hummm. Have you ever tried to convince someone of the negative repercussions of their selfish and immediate agenda’s, and get them to replace that with a more thoughtful and honest concern for their eternal destiny?
Wouldn’t the scriptures and your wisdom, be more safe if placed in the care of a brick wall?
