10” As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10–11 (ESV)
“In doctrine, therefore, we should always have regard to usefulness, so that everything that does not contribute to godliness shall be held in no estimation,” says 16th century Protestant Reformer John Calvin. In other words, believers in Christ, especially pastors, must discern when it is useful to debate a fool and when it is not (Prov. 26:4–5).
What is a storm warning? At sea, a storm warning is a warning issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when winds between 48 and 63 knots are occurring or predicted to occur soon. The winds must not be associated with a tropical cyclone. If the winds are associated with a tropical cyclone, a tropical storm warning will be substituted for the storm warning and less severe gale warning.
How may this term be used regarding the church? Within the local body of Christ, a storm warning would be concerns about an errant church member or attendee who is beginning to stir up trouble. This may be over doctrine, philosophy of ministry or the church’s leadership. How should the pastor and church elders handle such a situation or an individual?
“Apparently, Titus and the church he served on Crete were beset by divisive persons, and it may even be that the leaders were uncertain as to how long they should put up with the troublers, which would explain why Paul gives the instructions he does in Titus 3:10–11. In this case, the malcontents were false teachers who were promoting rank heresy of some kind (1:10–16), and division in the church plainly results whenever teachers deny cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. Contrary to the notions of heretical leaders who control certain denominations, those who teach against biblical doctrine are divisive, not those orthodox congregations who wish to separate from them,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.
When it becomes obvious someone in the church delights in stirring up trouble and division, the Apostle Paul instructed Titus as to the appropriate response. Pastors and elders are to warn the individual once, and then, if necessary, twice. Thereafter, the individual in question is to be rejected.
The word warning (νουθεσία; nouthesia) means to admonish and correct ungodly behavior; especially divisive speech. The phrase have nothing more to do with him (παραιτέομαι; paraiteomai) means to shun and avoid.
“Anyone in the church who is unsubmissive, self-willed, and divisive should be expelled. Two warnings are to be given, following the basic pattern for church discipline set forth by Christ (Matt. 18:15–17; cf. Rom. 16:17–18; 2 Thess. 3:14–15),” states Dr. John MacArthur.
This type of response by church leadership should be done cautiously, seriously and prayerfully. The reason is because the divisive person is warped (ἐκστρέφω; ekstepho) meaning perverted, sinful (ἁμαρτάνω; harmartano) meaning disobedient to the Word of God, and self-condemned (αὐτοκατάκριτος; autokatakritos) or judged by one’s own actions.
Great care must be shown by church leaders in such a situation. There have been elders who reject a church member because the individual questioned the behavior of the church’s leadership, even when the elders were wrong. Elders are not perfect, nor should they believe themselves to be.
“The apostle frequently condemns quarreling and strife (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:3), so it is no surprise that people who foster such things are likewise to be avoided (Titus 3:10). We must stand for the truth but never be the kind of people who are always itching for a fight. Otherwise, we will sacrifice good works for the sake of finding new and “exciting” battles to wage,” explains Dr. Sproul.
“The apostle demands that when the time is ripe such a person shall be rejected. The expression “Have nothing further to do with” must be taken in the sense of refuse, reject (cf. 1 Tim. 5:11; 2 Tim. 2:23). There seems to be a reference here to Matt. 18:15–17. Official exclusion from church-membership is probably indicated. This is not surprising, for Titus will know that such an individual (cf. Rom. 16:18, etc.), who not only creates division but also after repeated warnings persists in this practice, “is distorted” and is sinning. The word rendered “is distorted” is very descriptive. Such a person is not living and seeing straight. He is mentally and morally turned or twisted. He is even worse than the man who colloquially is sometimes called “a screw-ball.” He is actually living in sin. What makes his sin very bad is the fact that he knows that he is sinning. If his conscience has not already spoken plainly, he has at least been warned, and that not once but twice. Hence, he sins “being self-condemned.”[1]
Pray for the elders in your local church. Pray that they will have the courage to stand for truth and obey God’s Word; even when it is difficult. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 395–396.
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