Titus 3:9-11

Let us turn and look a little bit about the world's infiltration of the church along the same line carrying on this topic through Titus 3. In verses 9 to 11, Paul gives Titus advice on how to avoid dissension and handle divisive people. This advice is good not only for ministers but for every member as well.

In verse 9, Paul warns of useless discussions. It is dangerous to think that a divisive man is spiritual merely because he discusses religious subjects. It is much easier to discuss theological questions than to be kind and considerate and helpful to someone or efficient, diligent, and honest at work because good works go against human nature. Still, talks comes naturally and is cheap since it costs nothing.

Now there is no virtue in sitting and discussing deep theological questions when simply Christian responsibilities are waiting to be done. If this is the case, these discussions can be nothing more than an evasion of Christian duties. Paul was confident that our real responsibility lay in action, and the action may be an inspiration to overcome some problem or to help someone in need, but whatever the situation, action must follow the study of God's truth. Jesus' words in John 8:32, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," means that upon understanding God's way of life, we are inspired to act wisely in the right way. Wisdom is the correct use of the truth and Paul advises that the contentious and opinionated person should be avoided. In Greek, avoid means to "turn oneself to face the other way." The fundamental reason for such avoidance is the essential unprofitableness and uselessness of false teaching.

In Titus 3:10, the word divisive in Greek is distinguished in meaning from the English word heretic derived from it. It later acquired a more technical meaning, "one who holds false doctrine." Initially it carried no negative meaning. This negativity creeps in when someone raises his own opinion against the doctrine of the church. Here it refers to one who promotes division by his views. A heretic in this context is simply a person who has decided that he is right and everybody else is wrong.

Paul's warning is against the person who has made his ideas the test of all truth. So it characterizes a self-chosen opinion or viewpoint. Because of the divisive person's insistent on his views, he exposes himself as lacking a solid spiritual foundation. One commentary said this kind of person is an opinionative propagandist who promotes dissension by his obstinacy. So when the divisive person is persistent for a while, it results in the formation of dissenting groups. Paul told Titus to warn them by lovingly pointing out their error.