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Selected Verse: Titus 1:11 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Tit 1:11	Strong Concordance	Whose [3739] mouths [1993] must [1163] be stopped [1993], who [3748] subvert [396] whole [3650] houses [3624], teaching [1321] things which [3739] they ought [1163] not [3361], for [5484] filthy [150] lucre's [2771] sake [5484].
	King James	Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
mouths . . . stopped--literally, "muzzled," "bridled" as an unruly beast (compare Psa 32:9). who--Greek, "(seeing that they are) such men as"; or "inasmuch as they" [ELLICOTT]. subvert . . . houses--"overthrowing" their "faith" (Ti2 2:18). "They are the devil's levers by which he subverts the houses of God" [THEOPHYLACT]. for filthy lucre-- (Ti1 3:3, Ti1 3:8; Ti1 6:5).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

mouths . . . stopped--literally, "muzzled," "bridled" as an unruly beast (compare Psa 32:9).

who--Greek, "(seeing that they are) such men as"; or "inasmuch as they" [ELLICOTT].

subvert . . . houses--"overthrowing" their "faith" (Ti2 2:18). "They are the devil's levers by which he subverts the houses of God" [THEOPHYLACT].

for filthy lucre-- (Ti1 3:3, Ti1 3:8; Ti1 6:5).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Whose mouths must be stopped - The word here rendered stopped - ἐπιστομιζειν epistomizein - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence. It is, of course, implied here that this was to be done in a proper way, and in accordance with the spirit of the gospel. The apostle gives Timothy no civil power to do it, nor does he direct him to call in the aid of the civil arm. All the agency which he specifies as proper for this, is that of argument and exhortation. These are the proper means of silencing the advocates of error; and the history of the church shows that the ministers of religion can be safely entrusted with no other; compare Psa 32:8-9. Who subvert whole houses - Whole families; compare Mat 23:14; Ti2 3:6. That is, they turn them aside from the faith. Teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake - For gain. That is, they inculcate such doctrines as will make themselves popular, and as will give them access to the confidence of the people. They make it their first object to acquire influence as ministers of religion, and then abuse that in order to obtain money from the people. This they would doubtless do under many pretences; such as that it was needful for the support of the gospel, or for the relief of the poor, or perhaps for the assistance of distant Christians in persecution. Religion is the most powerful principle that ever governs the mind; and if a man has the control of that, it is no difficult thing to induce men to give up their worldly possessions. In all ages, there have been impostors who have taken advantage of the powerful principle of religion to obtain money from their deluded followers. No people can be too vigilant in regard to pretended religious teachers; and while it is undoubtedly their duty to contribute liberally for the support of the gospel, and the promotion of every good cause, it is no less their duty to examine with care every proposed object of benevolence, and to watch with an eagle eye those who have the disbursement of the charities of the church. It is very rare that ministers ought to have much to do with disposing of the funds given for benevolent purposes; and when they do, they should in all cases be associated with their lay brethren; see Paley's Horae Paulinae, chap. iv., No. 1, 3, note; compare Co1 16:3. On the phrase "filthy lucre," see the notes at Ti1 3:3.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Whose mouths must be stopped - The word here rendered stopped - ἐπιστομιζειν epistomizein - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence. It is, of course, implied here that this was to be done in a proper way, and in accordance with the spirit of the gospel. The apostle gives Timothy no civil power to do it, nor does he direct him to call in the aid of the civil arm. All the agency which he specifies as proper for this, is that of argument and exhortation. These are the proper means of silencing the advocates of error; and the history of the church shows that the ministers of religion can be safely entrusted with no other; compare Psa 32:8-9.

Who subvert whole houses - Whole families; compare Mat 23:14; Ti2 3:6. That is, they turn them aside from the faith.

Teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake - For gain. That is, they inculcate such doctrines as will make themselves popular, and as will give them access to the confidence of the people. They make it their first object to acquire influence as ministers of religion, and then abuse that in order to obtain money from the people. This they would doubtless do under many pretences; such as that it was needful for the support of the gospel, or for the relief of the poor, or perhaps for the assistance of distant Christians in persecution. Religion is the most powerful principle that ever governs the mind; and if a man has the control of that, it is no difficult thing to induce men to give up their worldly possessions. In all ages, there have been impostors who have taken advantage of the powerful principle of religion to obtain money from their deluded followers. No people can be too vigilant in regard to pretended religious teachers; and while it is undoubtedly their duty to contribute liberally for the support of the gospel, and the promotion of every good cause, it is no less their duty to examine with care every proposed object of benevolence, and to watch with an eagle eye those who have the disbursement of the charities of the church. It is very rare that ministers ought to have much to do with disposing of the funds given for benevolent purposes; and when they do, they should in all cases be associated with their lay brethren; see Paley's Horae Paulinae, chap. iv., No. 1, 3, note; compare Co1 16:3. On the phrase "filthy lucre," see the notes at Ti1 3:3.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Whose mouths must be stopped (οὓς δεὶ ἐπιστομίζειν) Lit. whom it is necessary to silence. Ἑπιστομίζειν, N.T.o. olxx. Originally, to put something into the mouth, as a bit into a horse's mouth. Ἑπιστόμιον is the stop of a water-pipe or of a hydraulic organ. Comp. φιμοῦν Ti1 5:18. Who subvert (οἵτινες ἀνατρέπουσιν) The double relative is explanatory of must; in as much as they, etc. For subvert rend. overthrow. See on Ti2 2:18. Houses (οἴκους) Families.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Stopped - The word properly means, to put a bit into the mouth of an unruly horse.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Whose mouths must be stopped - Unmask them at once; exhibit them to the people; make manifest their ignorance and hypocrisy; and let them be confounded before the people whom they are endeavoring to seduce. Subvert whole houses - Turn whole Christian families from the faith, attributing to the broad way what belongs only to the strait gate; ministering to disorderly passions, and promising salvation to their proselytes, though not saved from their sins.

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⁵ Perverse disputings [3859] of men [444] of corrupt [1311] minds [3563], and [2532] destitute [650] of the truth [225], supposing [3543] that gain [4200] is [1511] godliness [2150]: from [575] such [5108] withdraw thyself [868].

⁸ Likewise [5615] must the deacons [1249] be grave [4586], not [3361] doubletongued [1351], not [3361] given [4337] to much [4183] wine [3631], not [3361] greedy of filthy lucre [146];

³ Not [3361] given to wine [3943], no [3361] striker [4131], not [3361] greedy of filthy lucre [146]; but [235] patient [1933], not a brawler [269], not covetous [866];

¹⁸ Who [3748] concerning [4012] the truth [225] have erred [795], saying [3004] that the resurrection [386] is past [1096] already [2235]; and [2532] overthrow [396] the faith [4102] of some [5100].

⁹ Be ye not as the horse [05483], or as the mule [06505], which have no understanding [0995]: whose mouth [05716] must be held [01102] in with bit [04964] and bridle [07448], lest [01077] they come near [07126] unto thee.

³ Not [3361] given to wine [3943], no [3361] striker [4131], not [3361] greedy of filthy lucre [146]; but [235] patient [1933], not a brawler [269], not covetous [866];

³ And [1161] when [3752] I come [3854], whomsoever [3739] [1437] ye shall approve [1381] by [1223] your letters [1992], them [5128] will I send [3992] to bring [667] your [5216] liberality [5485] unto [1519] Jerusalem [2419].

⁶ For [1063] of [1537] this sort [5130] are they [1526] which creep [1744] into [1519] houses [3614], and [2532] lead captive [162] silly women [1133] laden [4987] with sins [266], led away [71] with divers [4164] lusts [1939],

¹⁴ Woe [3759] unto you [5213], scribes [1122] and [2532] Pharisees [5330], hypocrites [5273]! for [3754] ye devour [2719] widows [5503]' houses [3614], and [2532] for a pretence [4392] make [4336] long [3117] prayer [4336]: therefore [1223] [5124] ye shall receive [2983] the greater [4055] damnation [2917].

⁸ I will instruct [07919] thee and teach [03384] thee in the way [01870] which [02098] thou shalt go [03212]: I will guide [03289] thee with mine eye [05869].
⁹ Be ye not as the horse [05483], or as the mule [06505], which have no understanding [0995]: whose mouth [05716] must be held [01102] in with bit [04964] and bridle [07448], lest [01077] they come near [07126] unto thee.

¹⁸ For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004], Thou shalt [5392] not [3756] muzzle [5392] the ox [1016] that treadeth out the corn [248]. And [2532], The labourer [2040] is worthy [514] of his [846] reward [3408].