Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
In Titus 3:10 Paul advises Titus on how to deal with troublemakers. He says that he should Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. If After that, there is no change then have nothing to do with him. So we begin with warnings. The once .... a second time guide is not to happen on one day or in a week. It is a general rule. One warning is not enough, there must be time for repentance. If eventually, however, there is no change then that person must come under formal church discipline. Paul says nothing about congregational decisions here but that is no doubt assumed. In the end, if there is no repentance, then ostracism is necessary. This may seem harsh but it is because, as Paul puts it, in verse 11, You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Some people are simply divisive by nature. Nothing will change them. This is a sobering fact and is evidence of the realism of the New Testament and its rejection of Utopianism. It is a little like Paul's seemingly pessimistic How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:16). Do not miss the hope here, though. There are those who are able, by God's grace, to change. Good pastors seek change but recognise that it does not always happen.
In Titus 3:10 Paul advises Titus on how to deal with troublemakers. He says that he should Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. If After that, there is no change then have nothing to do with him. So we begin with warnings. The once .... a second time guide is not to happen on one day or in a week. It is a general rule. One warning is not enough, there must be time for repentance. If eventually, however, there is no change then that person must come under formal church discipline. Paul says nothing about congregational decisions here but that is no doubt assumed. In the end, if there is no repentance, then ostracism is necessary. This may seem harsh but it is because, as Paul puts it, in verse 11, You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Some people are simply divisive by nature. Nothing will change them. This is a sobering fact and is evidence of the realism of the New Testament and its rejection of Utopianism. It is a little like Paul's seemingly pessimistic How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:16). Do not miss the hope here, though. There are those who are able, by God's grace, to change. Good pastors seek change but recognise that it does not always happen.
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