Paul sets a high standard for elders and overseers in the church: they must be blameless, faithful to the truth, and upright in conduct. Why is the standard so high? Paul gave the reason in subsequent verses.

“For there are many insubordinate, idle talkers and deceivers… whose mouths must be stopped.” (Titus 1:10–11)

If the leaders are not firm in faith or pure in conduct, they become vulnerable and cannot silence false teachers or protect the flock. Thus they must both teach the truth and embody it — holding fast to doctrinal truth (sound teaching) and practical truth (a life that reflects what is taught).

Paul warns that “many are insubordinate, idle talkers, and deceivers.” These are people who twist the truth and lead others astray. They claim to know God but deny Him by their works (v.16). Words alone cannot confront such deception—it takes a life grounded in truth to stop the mouths of deceivers.

Daniel stands as a powerful example. When his enemies sought to accuse him, they could find no fault or corruption in him because he lived blamelessly before God. His blamelessness before God shut the mouths of lions—both in the den and in the courts of men. Likewise, when the church’s leaders live uprightly, God uses their example to silence falsehood and strengthen the faithful.

The same principle applies to every believer. Even if we are not elders, we influence those around us. Do we exhibit the qualities of a godly leader in our daily interactions — with family, friends, and colleagues? Not merely being a “good person” as the world considers sufficient, but being blameless before God — holy, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, but gentle and disciplined in all things.

Let us pursue blamelessness and hold fast to the truth, both in belief and in practice, so that through our lives, the mouths of deceivers may be stopped—and God’s truth glorified.