One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)

To Be A Cretan

Reputations can be very positive, or they can be viewed with great disdain. The Corinthians were known as very immoral people and to live like a Corinthian was to live a life of debauchery. Located two hundred miles south of Athens, Crete is an island whose inhabitants bore the distinction of being liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to set in order those things lacking in the church and to appoint elders in every city. There seems to be a contrast of a thriving community of Christians on an island of only 3,260 square miles with a population bearing the reputation of everything opposite the Christian character.

Paul and his companions (including Luke) stayed on Crete when Paul was being transported to Rome for his appeal to Caesar. Paul mentions Titus often in his letters as a close friend and fellow worker in his missionary journeys. Titus was left on Crete to accomplish the work of establishing the church and building up the brethren in the word of the Lord. Establishing elders was paramount to the work of Titus but considering the kind of people that Cretans were known as, it must have been a monumental task to find men with the qualities of righteousness needed to serve as bishops of the Lord’s church. Paul was familiar with the secular writers among the Cretans as one of their own prophets described the island people as less than reputable.

The gospel can change anyone, including a Cretan. Paul told Titus to establish elders in every city and there is little doubt Titus worked diligently to accomplish that task. Titus was instructed to teach the older men and women to guide the hearts and minds of the young men and women. The grace of God was given to all men to save their souls – including the island people of Crete who were known as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. The Cretan Christians were reminded to obey the powers of government and to be ready for every good work. They were not to speak evil of others, to be peaceable, gentle, and showing humility to all men. Paul begged the Christians of Crete to learn to maintain good works, meet those urgent needs among the brethren, and to be fruitful in the work of the Lord.

There are some people that seem to have greater challenges in obedience to the gospel than others. To some, evangelizing a Cretan would have the same impact as trying to convert a Corinthian. Why waste time on people that are known by their own people as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons? There was a church of the Lord in the city of Corinth filled with saints of God seeking to do the will of the Lord in the face of great difficulty. The Holy Spirit preserves two letters Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth showing it is possible to evangelize a Corinthian. Titus was working on an island with a people that had a disreputable character on three levels. They were known as liars who could not speak the truth. One of their prophets referred to the Cretans as animals with evil hearts. And they were known as worthless bums who were lazy gluttons. Paul tells Titus the Cretans needed the gospel. Churches were established. Elders were ordained. The gospel of Christ was firmly planted on the island of Crete.

The world is filled with Cretans. It does not take long to look around and find people fitting the mold of a Cretan. God does not dismiss these liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. He offers them the blessed hope and promise of eternal life. Paul tells Titus the gospel can change a Cretan heart to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously and godly in this present life. The gospel can change anyone willing to subject themselves to the saving grace of God. Are you a Cretan? Let the gospel change your heart.