Titus 1:16 (KJV)

Passage

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Nearby Context

Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "profess", "works", "deny", "abominable", "disobedient", "good", and "reprobate". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "profess" and "works", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "Unto the pure all things are pure...", giving immediate footing for "profess" and "works". In Titus context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "profess" and "works" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.