Avoid Divisive Christians
Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Paul's alluding back to chapter 1 concerning those like the cult of the circumcision, but the principle applies more generally today. Discourse over the Word is valuable. Many times people will come up with arguments and interpretations they claim to be based upon the Bible, but which are highly speculative, not well founded upon a comprehensive inductive study of the Word. Some are worth arguing about just to show their weakness. But if it ends in a quarrel, might be best to leave the matter.
Consider how the book of Acts ends, Paul explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."’ "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Acts 28:23-29
So the idea is not to dismiss a divisive person at first, nor second. But there will come a time if he continues, then stop arguing with him. But be careful not to mischaracterized people. For that would be slander on your part. But as for characterizing this man, "divisive" is literally "heretic" or "hairetikos" in the Greek. So we're not talking about a small matter. And secondly "sinful" is "sinning" in the present tense, which from our study of 1John indicates that such a person has not been born of God. So understand, this is the kind of person Paul is referring to. In general avoid arguing about mere arm-chair theology and non-application oriented issues. The immature in faith are quick to get caught up in tabloid issues. And if you are not doing what the Bible clearly says then why should God reveal more to you?
Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Paul's alluding back to chapter 1 concerning those like the cult of the circumcision, but the principle applies more generally today. Discourse over the Word is valuable. Many times people will come up with arguments and interpretations they claim to be based upon the Bible, but which are highly speculative, not well founded upon a comprehensive inductive study of the Word. Some are worth arguing about just to show their weakness. But if it ends in a quarrel, might be best to leave the matter.
Consider how the book of Acts ends, Paul explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."’ "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Acts 28:23-29
So the idea is not to dismiss a divisive person at first, nor second. But there will come a time if he continues, then stop arguing with him. But be careful not to mischaracterized people. For that would be slander on your part. But as for characterizing this man, "divisive" is literally "heretic" or "hairetikos" in the Greek. So we're not talking about a small matter. And secondly "sinful" is "sinning" in the present tense, which from our study of 1John indicates that such a person has not been born of God. So understand, this is the kind of person Paul is referring to. In general avoid arguing about mere arm-chair theology and non-application oriented issues. The immature in faith are quick to get caught up in tabloid issues. And if you are not doing what the Bible clearly says then why should God reveal more to you?
