CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
Titus 3:9. Avoid.—As in 2 Timothy 2:16. “The meaning seems to come from a number of persons falling back from an object of fear or loathing and standing at a distance round it” (Alford).
Titus 3:10. A man that is an heretick.—R.V. “heretical”; margin, “factious.” It does not appear from this as if the right of private judgment were the same thing as to be a heretic. He is the heretic who disseminates his private opinions for the specific purpose of raising dissension. After the first and second admonition.—The admonition is a reprimand including both blame and exhortation. We may remind ourselves of our Master’s words:
(1) “Tell him his fault between thee and him alone”;
(2) “Take with thee one or two more”;
(3) “Tell it to the Church.” These are the three steps before avoiding the impenitent brother. Reject.—R.V. “refuse”; margin, “avoid.” It was a procedure wholly as unwarranted as wicked when this was interpreted “torture him,” whether in body or mind.
Titus 3:11. Being condemned of himself.—R.V. “self-condemned.” Christ said to the Jews, “Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth.” Such a sinner would be called high-handed in the Old Testament.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Titus 3:9-11
A Contumacious Spirit—
I. Is mainly occupied with the discussion of useless questions (Titus 3:9).—The tendency of the contentious spirit is to dwell on the minute and trifling, and exalt them into undue importance. The method of investigation proceeds on a false basis. The disputatious man strives to make human traditions agree with the law, instead of judging all human theories by the light and authority of the law; it is a vain attempt to make God agree with man. It is a waste of time and power. It produces no moral good, but is the harbinger and active cause of much evil. It sows the seeds of future heresies.
II. Should be faithfully admonished, and then left to itself.—“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject” (Titus 3:10). A heretic is a man of contumacious spirit, self-willed, and contending for his own theories, though they are opposed and contradictory to the universally received doctrines of the Church and the unmistakable revelations of the word of God. Such a man must be faithfully warned, not once, but twice; and if he refuses to be advised and continues recalcitrant, leave him to himself—have nothing more to do with him, either in admonition or intercourse. We cannot help a man who refuses the kindliest suggestions, and to be controlled by anything but his own wild, ungovernable temper.
III. Brings about its own punishment.—“Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” (Titus 3:11). His perversity is his ruin. He cannot say no one has told him better. He wilfully sins against knowledge, and against the faithful warnings of those who have striven to bring him to a better mind. He is self-condemned, and his punishment is to be in perpetual restlessness and uncertainty. “There is,” says Pascal, “an intestine war in man between reason and the passions. He might enjoy some repose had he reason alone without passion, or passion alone without reason. But having both, he must needs live in a state of warfare, since he cannot maintain peace with one without being at war with the other. Hence he is always divided, and always at variance with himself.” The gospel is the cure of the contumacious; but even this will not avail unless it be believingly received.
Lessons.—
1. A contentious spirit magnifies trifles.
2. There is much useless talk in the world.
3. Nothing can be done to rescue the man who rejects the gospel.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
Titus 3:9. Some Hints to Preachers.
I. Fundamental truths are to be continually enforced.
II. Practical preaching is never out of season.
III. Christian duties are of universal application.
IV. Trivial questions are out of place in the pulpit.—
1. It is possible to have repetition without sameness.
2. Belief that does not change the life is useless.
3. The law is to be obeyed in spirit rather than in letter.
Titus 3:10-11. The Treatment of Heresy.
I. Heresy is not an unsound opinion, but an unsound life.
II. Is to be dealt with firmly, but gently.—
1. Firmly, by admonition.
2. Gently, by repeated admonitions.
III. Hardened heretics are to be rejected.—
1. But this only applies to exclusion from Christian fellowship.
2. It is no warrant for persecution.
3. Excluded heretics are to be deemed objects of pity.—F. W.