COMMENTARY ON TITUS


LESSON NUMBER 22


Tit3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

(Titus 3:10-11)


RESPONDING TO A HERETIC


INTRODUCTION

               Although he is incarcerated, Paul has continued his ministry, delivering the things that have been revealed to him, and instructing believers in the manner of the kingdom. I think Christians take the epistles for granted, without duly regarding how they make known the faithfulness of those who wrote them – particularly Paul. Aside from my good father, and a very few others, I know precious few who have ever written to believers in order to declare or clarify the truth. It is not something that is in vogue in this day. Such writing is particularly noteworthy when you consider what Paul had to do to write a letter, then have it delivered. If it is true that his eyesight was poor, then he had to make some arrangements for another person to actually do the writing at his dictation. Tertius, for example, wrote the letter to the church in Rome (Rom 16:22). If in prison, as he was when he wrote Titus, he would require something to write on, and something to write with. Then, some kind of arrangement would have to be made to get the letter to the brethren. The point is that his great heart for the church moved him to reveal, instruct, and even correct believers by means of personal letters. That is something that is exceedingly rare in our day. Even throughout Christian history, there have been proportionately few men who have been that eager to provide proper teaching for the church. However, many of their works, though personal, remain to this very day, and have proved profitable to believers. In this text, Paul will address the matter of heresy, and how leaders are to respond to it – and they are to respond in an appropriate way. This word follows a solid admonition to avoid profitless controversies over irrelevant matters. Behold with what care the apostle speaks to “faithful men” who are able and willing to teach others. Compare this teaching with the modern concept of a theological education, which generally has little regard for the truth itself. Precious few students have had the advantage of such teaching as this.


A MAN THAT IS AN HERETIC

               Titus 3:10a “A man that is an heretic . . .” Other versions read, “a divisive man,” NKJV “a factious man,” NASB “anyone who causes divisions,” NRSV “a man whose opinions are not of the church,” BBE “a heretical man,” DARBY “people who continue to teach false doctrine,” GWN “someone who disputes what you teach,” NJB “an author of sects,” PNT “a man given to heresy,” TNT “a sectarian man,” YLT “any one who will not be taught,” WEYMOUTH and “a man who is factious [a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions].” AMPLIFIED


               A MAN. The expression “a man” means any man, any person fitting the description. It makes no difference whether that person is friend or foe, relative or none relative, a member of your particular gathering or not. Here there is to be no regard for, or respect of, persons. If Eli’s own sons are wrong, their error is to be confronted (1 Sam 2:22-25). If one apostle conducts himself in an unacceptable manner, another apostle is to rebuke him (Gal 2:14). No believer can allow friendship or relation to mitigate their hatred of error, or the need to rebuke it. In Christ, the love of God and the love of the truth outweigh all human relationships.


               AN HERETIC. As the various translations indicate, a “heretic” is a person who causes division within the body of Christ. Primarily this is caused by teaching, but it can also be done by sowing seeds of discord among brethren. It can also be achieved by an action that promotes division, as when Peter withdrew from the Gentiles when certain Jews were sent by James to Antioch (Gal 2:11-12). We will see that causing division is a sin great in magnitude.


               The word “heretic” is a transliteration, converting the Greek letters to English letters. An example of this is provided to the right. Transliteration was practiced because there was no English word that was precise enough to convey the intended concept. Therefore a word was created and given a precise meaning. This is not the way language is viewed today, and thus slang and crude speech have actually become a part of codified and formalized vocabulary.


               The lexical meaning of the word “heretic” is: “schismatic, factious, a follower of false doctrine,” THAYER “causing divisions.” FRIBERG The English definition of the word is, “a dissenter from established religious dogma.” WEBSTER This definition is too general, requiring some further explanation.


               First, the division of reference is caused among believers, or the body of Christ. Second, the standard from which the offender has dissented is not a religious dogma (i.e. “my church” versus “your church”). The standard is the truth of God itself – i.e. “as the truth is in Jesus,” or “the truth that is in Jesus” NIV (Eph 4:20). This is the body of truth, or reality, that revolves around, and is summarized in, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke this truth as being contained in Scripture, and centered in Him: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me(John 5:39). A holy angel referred to revealed truth in this way, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10). John referred to this Word as “the record God has given of His Son” (1 John 5:10-11). Both Paul and John referred to it as and “the doctrine of Christ (Heb 6:1; 2 John 1:9).


               THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH. We cannot overemphasize the importance of the truth itself. It is the knowledge of the truth that liberates the soul (John 8:32). It is the love of the truth that enables us to be saved (2 Thess 2:10). It is the truth that sanctifies us (John 17:17). Whether or not a person believes is determined by one’s response to the truth itself (John 8:44-46). Jesus said, “Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice” (John 18:37). God’s wrath is revealed against anyone and everyone who holds back the truth (Rom 1:18). Any attempt to change the truth will result in Divine abandonment (Rom 1:24-25). Indignation and wrath will be poured out on those who “obey not the truth” (Rom 2:8). Men can be bewitched, so that they do not “obey the truth,” thus losing the benefits of it (Gal 3:1; 5:7). Hope is the result of believing “the word of the truth of the Gospel” (Col 1:5). A person has to come “to the knowledge of the truth” in order to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). When men err, or stumble, it is “from the truth” (2 Tim 2:18). Any way you look at it, the truth of God is vital!


               How important, then, is a person who attempts to wedge human opinion into the truth, or one who introduces a new emphasis, or in any way distorts the understanding of truth? What is to be our attitude toward such a person? Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Rom 16:17). “Offences contrary to the doctrine” are doctrinal obstacles that hinder progress, and pull the people away from the truth. The reason for this avoidance is spelled out. “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom 16:18). Because those who do perceive the truth have not taken advantage of increased communication media, those who “cause divisions and offences contary to the doctrine” have monopolized the airwaves and electronic media. This has now compounded the requirement of our text, because we are no longer dealing with an exception here or there. Now, there are more erroneous teachings to embrace, and more who are declaring them. Our text gives us something to do about this condition.


THE FIRST AND SECOND ADMONITION

                3:10b . . . after the first and second admonition reject.”


               It is to be understood that this is speaking of a “heretic” with whom Titus had immediate contact – contact that could not be avoided. Other heretics are to be avoided, and no contact made with them, as Romans 16:17 enjoins. Here, however, is instruction on what is to be done when we face such people, or they are around us, or in our number. For Titus, this would be individuals he confronted among the Cretians.


               AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND ADMONITION. Other versions read, “first and second warning,” NASB “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time,” NIV a first and second protest,” BBE “warned them once or twice,” GWN after thou hast instructed him once and again.” MRD What exactly is an “admonition?” Is it simply saying, “I don’t believer that,” or “I cannot agree with you”? Etymologically the word “admonish” means “teaching . . . and corrective instruction in regard to belief or behavior,” FRIBERG instruction, warning,” UBS to instruct, teach,” LOUW-NIDA and “to put in mind . . . advise.” LIDDELL-SCOTT In English the word means, “to indicate duties or obligations to, to express warning or disapproval to, especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner.” WEBSTER This kind of approach is outlined to Timothy. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Tim 2:24-26). While there may be some application of this text to immoral involvements, the references to striving, teaching, instruction, and acknowledging the truth indicate that it pertains more to teachers than to those who fall into the pit of immorality. For example, this is not the kind of instruction Paul gave for approaching a fornicator (1 Cor 5:-1-5).


               The word “admonition” is used thee times in the English and Greek Scriptures. First, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor 10:11). Second, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Third, in our text. The word is not used in the NASB and NIV versions. They use the word “warn” in the place of “admonition.” The NIV translates it “instruction” in Ephesians 6:4. It is used once in the NRSV, which is our text.


               The point of admonition is to straighten out the thinking on a matter – not merely to urge one to cease from saying this or that. The point is not simply to get the heretic to stop saying the wrong thing, but to start saying the right thing. I do not think the word “warn” carries that connotation. It is more of a word to cease than to commence, and to desist rather than becoming involved in speaking the truth. An example of corrective teaching is the occasion when Aquila and Priscilla “expounded unto” Apollos “the way of the Lord more perfectly” (Acts 18:25). For him, only one admonition was required. An example of admonition concerning conduct is Paul’s rebuke of Peter in Antioch (Gal 2:14-16). That also was only one time.


               We are not to spend a lot of time trying to correct people who are devoted to propagating divisive doctrines. Of course, all denominations have such a doctrine, for it is what they teach that causes the division. The truth of God unites those who believe it, but heresies divide them.


               Heresies – or teachings that divide – are, in a sense essential. That is why God allows them to be perpetrated. On this matter Paul wrote, “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (1 Cor 11:19). Other versions read “factions,” NASB and “differences.” NIV Those who are not approved by Gold will gravitate to such doctrines, heartily embracing them, while, Jesus said, His sheep “will not follow” a stranger” (John 10:5). A novice might say, “Then why not let the heretics speak? All that will happen is that the sheep will be made known.” That is too simplistic. While the sheep will not ultimately follow such teachers, confusion will be caused, spiritual growth retarded, and the unity of the Spirit endangered. There are also the young in the faith who can be offended because of their simplicity. Those who “cause divisions,” Paul said, “deceive the hearts of the simple,” “unsuspecting,” NASB or “naive.” NIV Jesus said of such people, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt 18:6).


               Because the purpose of God is not simply to condemn, even a heretic is given two opportunities to repent – a first, and a second. I gather that the “second” admonition is not merely a repetition of the first, but a more extensive exposure of his error by shining the light upon it. Divisive teaching can only be seen as it truly is in the blazing light of the truth of God, for “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light” (Eph 5:13). The aim is to bring the person to a point where the offender will be given repentance, acknowledge the truth, and recover himself from the snare of the devil. It is to be understood that “the Spirit of truth” will work through the truth that is proclaimed, for the Word of God is His sword. This two efforts are made to correct the offending teacher.


IDENTIFYING A DETERMINED HERETIC, AND WHAT TO DO

                   3:11 “ . . . REJECT; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”


               Here are Paul’s instructions concerning the heretic, or person who teaches divisive doctrine. Once he has been given the first and second admonition, he is to be rejected. Note, not six months of admonition, or a lengthy period of admonition, but TWO admonitions.


               REJECT! Other versions read, “have nothing to do with him,” NIV “have nothing more to do with,” NRSV “refuse,” ASV “is to be kept out of your society,” BBE “have done with,” DARBY “avoid,” DOUAY “break off contact with,” NAB “be rejecting,” YLT “stop having anything to do with,” WILLIAMS and “reject [him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him].” AMPLIFIED The lexical meaning of the word is to “refuse, decline, shun, avoid.” THAYER


               This is obviously a very strong word, indicating that it involves more than a mere procedure. Sin in any form is not only wrong, it is also contaminating, for “a little leaven leaventh the whole lump” (1 Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9). Erroneous words “spread like cancer,” NKJV making impure everything around them. That is why decisive action must be taken.


               This word is to be taken seriously – contact with such a person is to be broken off. The condition of such an individual is made known by him obstinately refusing two admonitions. That is how serious exposure to the truth is! Now the nature of the offender is delineated.


               HE IS SUBVERTED. Other version s read, “warped,” NKJV “perverted,” NASB “in error,” BBE “corrupt,” GWN “perverse,” MRD “twisted,” NET “have turned away from the truth,” NLT “has a wrong sense of values,” LIVING “has turned aside from the right path,” WEYMOUTH “is crooked,” WILLIAMS and “has utterly changed (is perverted and corrupted).” AMPLIFIED


               The word “subverted” means “to turn inside out, invert; topically, to change for the worse, pervert, corrupt.” THAYER This is not speaking of a person who is merely confused, or has adopted a sectarian creed and is simply spouting it. This is a person who has been converted to the lie, has embraced it, and refuses to be turned from it. We know this is the case because he refused two admonitions in which the truth on a given matter was clarified, and he was called to repentance and the acknowledgment of the truth.


               HE IS SINNING. The word “sinneth” is in the active tense and means the person is continuing in sin, even though he has been properly admonished concerning his error. Just like Jannes and Jambres, Egyptian magicians, “withstood Moses, so do these men also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” (2 Tim 3:8). They have so thoroughly bought into the lie that God has “blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts.” They actually are like some of the Jews who beheld the “many miracles” that Jesus did, yet “could not believe” because they had been judged by God for their hardness of heart (John 12:39-40). That is why they kept on sinning, rejecting Jesus’ words, and ignoring His miracles. Keep in mind that, in our text, Paul is speaking of the person who has rejected two admonitions.

 

               BEING CONDEMNED OF HIMSELF. Other versions read, “self-condemned,” NKJV “self-judged,” BBE “condemned by his own judgment,” DOUAY “being damned of his own self,” GENEVA “condemned by their own actions,” GWN “is conscious of it himself,” NET “And he knows it,” LIVING “he knows he’s wrong,” IE and “[though he] is convicted of guilt and self-condemned.” AMPLIFIED

 

               The words “condemned of himself” are translated from a single Greek word. The meaning of the word is, “self-condemned.” THAYER and “a person who shows by his own actions that he is wrong or guilty.” FRIBERG However, those academic definitions are wholly inadequate. The condemnation of any person is owing to their own doing, whether it be unbelief, which is not so apparent or persistence in deviate behavior, which is apparent. That seems to me to be so elementary that it is an insult to our intelligence to say “condemned of himself” means “self-condemned.”

 

               This is speaking of a person whose sin is like a whirlpool that caught him in its vortex, and pulled him to the bottom, where recovery is not possible –like Judas. It is another way of saying the person’s conscience has become “seared with a hot iron,” so that the pangs of the condemning conscience are no longer felt (1 Tim 4:2). This is what happened to the Gentiles when they “did not like to retain God in their knowledge,” and thus continued on in their willful ways ignoring the warnings of their own conscience. Paul referred to this as being “past feeling” (Eph 4:19). Even though the conscience of such people accuses them (Rom 2:15), like the brute beasts they continue their wayward thinking – even after the “first and second admonition.”

 

               What Satan does not tell his dupes is that once a person has heard the truth, yet continues on in error, there is a certain hardness that begins to set in. The heart becomes more obstinate. The mind becomes more set in its ways. The conscience becomes more deadened, so that its voice is muffled. The determination to sin becomes stronger, and the mind can conjure up more reasons that justify what is being done. Such people are digging a pit for themselves, and unless they quickly amend their ways, they will fall headlong into it. The recovery of such a person, if it is even possible, will be wrought outside of the ordinary means, for the believers are admonished to have nothing to do with such people. A fearful state, indeed!