This verse is terribly misunderstood. The common interpretation of it puts a check in the spirit of those called to present the body of Christ to Jesus as perfect. Why…? It’s because the common interpretation is that we should always see all things as pure, or to only concern ourselves with what is pure in others and the world ignoring the evil…and if we don’t, it’s because we are impure. This is dangerously wrong and here is why:
The clear meaning can be understood by context. Read what Paul is saying to Titus, who was probably an apostle. He was one of the believers gifted with the 5 five gifts, which if possessed, deems the possessor of the gifts, responsible for the perfecting of the saints, by using those gifts. Exhorting to righteousness is the role.
”Unto the pure all things are pure: but to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure. But even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
Paul is simply saying that a pure person loves purity and everything they do and are drawn to is pure. A defiled and unbelieving person loves nothing pure. They love evil. They are drawn to evil and all defiled things, etc.
The last part of the verse explains it. Paul says concerning the ones who love evil, that their minds and conscience are defiled. This is why they love nothing pure and why they love evil. Their mind and heart are debased.
This is very important because Satan wants to make the prophets ( a subset of an apostle), preachers, teachers, pastors and exhorters, stay silent when they see evil that needs rebuke or addressing.
Isaiah calls the ones with these gifts who are silent, dumb dogs who won’t bark. They want to be liked. Isaiah warns that in the last day prophets will err in judgment. To allow impurity to go on and to ignore it in the church and world is erring in judgment.
This is the right understanding of Titus 1:15.
Thank You Lord.