FAQ 165
All Things are Pure to the Pure
NCW 17, March 1995
Q. Paul says that "to the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure" (Titus 1:15). Does this mean that those who are spiritually pure are above the rules and regulations of the Gospel?
No. This passage has been taken out of context by many groups throughout history and used as a licence for immorality. I have heard people declare that because they have received Christ they are pure and that therefore they are entitled to have free sex, for example.
This passage should be compared with 1 Timothy 4:4 where Paul says: "everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (NIV). Unbelievers, especially ascetics with unbiblical scruples against certain foods, marriage and the like (1 Tim.4:3; Col.2:21), do not enjoy the freedom of true Christians, who receive all God's creation with thanksgiving. Instead, they set up arbitrary, man-made prohibitions against what they consider to be impure (see Matt.15:10-11,16-20; Mark 7:14-19; Acts 10:9-16; Rom. 14:20). The principle of this verse does not conflict with the many New Testament teachings against practices that are morally and spiritually wrong.
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Last updated on 2 May 1998
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