Titus 3:11

KJV

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

KJV (with Strong's)

Knowing {G1492} that {G3754} he that is such {G5108} is subverted {G1612}, and {G2532} sinneth {G264}, being {G5607} condemned of himself {G843}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You may be sure that such a person has been perverted and is sinning: he stands self-condemned.

Berean Standard Bible

knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.

American Standard Version

knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Titus 3:11 serves as a profound theological justification for the church's rejection of a persistently divisive or factious individual, as instructed in the preceding verse. It reveals the spiritual state of such a person, asserting that their continued adherence to error and promotion of discord stems from a fundamental perversion of truth, leading them into active sin, and ultimately, to a state of self-condemnation. The verse underscores that the church's action is not arbitrary judgment but a recognition of the individual's self-inflicted spiritual condition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Titus 3:11 concludes a specific instruction Paul gives to Titus regarding how to handle a divisive person within the church. Immediately preceding this verse, [Titus 3:10](/titus/3-10 "Titus 3:10 - Warning a Divisive Person") commands Titus to "reject a heretick after the first and second admonition." Verse 11 provides the theological rationale for this decisive action, explaining the spiritual reality of the individual in question. The broader context of [Titus chapter 3](/titus/3 "Titus 3 - Christian Conduct and God's Grace") begins with exhortations for believers to live peaceably and submit to governing authorities, contrasting their former sinful lives with the transformative power of God's grace and regeneration, as powerfully articulated in [Titus 3:4-7](/titus/3-4-7 "Titus 3:4-7 - The Kindness and Love of God"). This emphasis on grace and good works sets the stage for understanding that persistent divisiveness is a profound departure from the Spirit-wrought transformation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to organize and establish churches ([Titus 1:5](/titus/1-5 "Titus 1:5 - Titus Left in Crete")). Crete was known for its challenging cultural environment, with its inhabitants described as "always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies" ([Titus 1:12](/titus/1-12 "Titus 1:12 - Cretans' Character")). In such a setting, the nascent Christian communities were vulnerable to internal strife, false teachings, and individuals who would seek to undermine the unity and purity of the gospel. Paul's instructions to Titus were crucial for maintaining sound doctrine and order amidst these challenges. The need for clear guidelines on church discipline was paramount to protect the integrity of the Christian witness and the spiritual health of the believers in a pagan society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the Epistle to Titus. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **sound doctrine versus error**, emphasizing that persistent divisiveness often stems from a perversion of truth, which is antithetical to the "wholesome words" ([2_timothy/1-13](/2-timothy/1-13 "2 Timothy 1:13 - Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine")) that build up the body of Christ. Secondly, it underscores the importance of **church discipline and purity**, demonstrating that protecting the flock from harmful influences is a necessary pastoral duty. This is not merely about maintaining order but about preserving the spiritual health and unity of the community. Finally, the concept of **self-condemnation** is a profound theological theme, indicating that an individual's persistent rebellion against truth, especially after repeated admonition, ultimately leads to a state where their own actions and conscience bear witness to their error, aligning with the principle that one's own choices define their spiritual standing before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knowing (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, a primary verb meaning "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." In this context, "knowing" signifies a settled conviction or understanding on the part of the one observing the divisive person. It implies a clear discernment of the individual's spiritual state, not merely a suspicion, but a firm recognition of their true condition.
* **subverted (Greek, _ekstréphō'_):** From G1612, meaning "to pervert (figuratively)." This word indicates a fundamental turning aside, twisting, or corrupting from what is right and true. It suggests that the divisive person has undergone a spiritual distortion, deviating from sound doctrine and godly conduct, much like something being turned inside out or distorted from its proper form.
* **condemned of himself (Greek, _autokatákritos'_):** From G843, a compound word meaning "self-condemned." This is a powerful and crucial term, signifying that the individual's own persistent actions, their refusal to heed warnings, and their continued adherence to error serve as their own judgment. They are not merely condemned by external authority, but their inner conscience and outward behavior bear witness against them, establishing their guilt by their own choices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Knowing that he that is such":** This phrase refers back directly to the "heretick" or "divisive person" mentioned in [Titus 3:10](/titus/3-10 "Titus 3:10 - Warning a Divisive Person"). The "knowing" implies a clear understanding or discernment on the part of the church leadership regarding the persistent nature of this individual's divisive behavior, after due process of admonition.
* **"is subverted":** This clause describes the spiritual state of the divisive person. They are not merely mistaken or misguided, but fundamentally "turned aside," "perverted," or "corrupted" from the truth. This suggests a deep-seated spiritual disorientation, a departure from the integrity of faith and sound doctrine that goes beyond simple error to a willful distortion.
* **"and sinneth":** This clarifies that the actions of such a person are not merely inconvenient or disruptive, but active transgressions against God's truth and the peace and unity of the church. Their continued divisiveness, stemming from their subverted state, constitutes a direct violation of God's commands for communal harmony and spiritual integrity.
* **"being condemned of himself":** This is the profound conclusion and theological justification for rejecting such a person. It means that the individual's own choices, their obstinate refusal to repent after repeated warnings, and their persistent adherence to error, serve as their own self-incrimination. Their actions bear witness against them, and their conscience, even if seared, ultimately condemns them, making the church's rejection a recognition of their already self-determined spiritual judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Titus 3:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, particularly in the phrase "condemned of himself." This term (autokatákritos) evokes the imagery of a judicial process, but one where the accused is also the accuser, the witness, and the judge of their own guilt. This highlights the profound **Personal Responsibility** inherent in the individual's choices. The word "subverted" utilizes **Figurative Language**, painting a picture of something being twisted or turned inside out, suggesting a fundamental distortion of truth rather than a superficial error. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the "good works" and "sound doctrine" that Paul encourages throughout the letter and the "subverted" and "sinful" state of the divisive person, emphasizing the stark difference between genuine faith and destructive behavior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Titus 3:11 offers crucial insights into the nature of sin, the necessity of church discipline, and the profound concept of self-condemnation. Theologically, it asserts that persistent rebellion against truth and unity, especially after repeated warnings, reveals a spiritual condition where an individual actively chooses error and division over reconciliation and sound doctrine. This choice is so profound that it becomes an act of self-incrimination, where their own conscience and actions bear witness against them. This is not merely about human judgment but about the inherent consequences of rejecting divine truth and the order God has established for His church. It underscores that true spiritual health requires both internal purity and external protection from those who would undermine it.

* [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Steps of Church Discipline"): This passage outlines the process of confronting a sinning brother, culminating in treating them as a "heathen man and a publican" if they refuse to hear the church, paralleling the rejection of a divisive person in Titus.
* [Romans 2:1](/romans/2-1 "Romans 2:1 - You Are Without Excuse"): Paul states, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." This echoes the principle of self-condemnation, where one's own actions or knowledge condemn them.
* [2 Timothy 2:16-18](/2-timothy/2-16-18 "2 Timothy 2:16-18 - Avoiding Godless Chatter"): Paul warns against "profane and vain babblings" which "will increase unto more ungodliness" and "eat as doth a canker," illustrating the destructive nature of false teaching and division that necessitates firm action.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Titus 3:11 provides timeless and challenging guidance for both church leaders and individual believers concerning the handling of persistent division and error within the Christian community. It calls for a delicate balance of patience, discernment, and ultimately, firm action when necessary. We are reminded that the goal of admonition is always repentance and restoration, but when an individual stubbornly refuses to heed warnings and continues to sow discord or promote false teaching, their actions reveal a deep-seated spiritual issue. This verse compels us to seriously consider the impact of our own words and actions on the unity and purity of the body of Christ. It also serves as a sober reminder that persistent rebellion against truth, even when confronted with grace and clear instruction, leads to a state of self-condemnation, where one's own choices become the basis of their spiritual judgment. Therefore, we are called to pursue truth, unity, and love, recognizing the grave spiritual consequences of their rejection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we, as individuals and as a church, balance the biblical call for patience and repeated admonition with the necessity of firm discipline for the sake of unity and truth?**
* **What does it mean for someone to be "condemned of himself," and how does this concept challenge our understanding of personal responsibility in our spiritual walk?**
* **In what ways might we inadvertently contribute to division or error within our own communities, and how can we actively promote sound doctrine and genuine unity?**

### FAQ

**What does "subverted" mean in the context of Titus 3:11?**

Answer: In Titus 3:11, "subverted" (Greek: _ekstréphō_) means to be turned aside, twisted, perverted, or corrupted from the truth. It implies a fundamental spiritual disorientation or distortion. It's not just a minor deviation but a significant turning away from sound doctrine and godly conduct. This individual has, in essence, been turned inside out from what is right and true, leading them to promote division or error.

**How can someone be "condemned of himself"?**

Answer: The phrase "condemned of himself" (Greek: _autokatákritos_) is a powerful concept. It means that the individual's own actions, choices, and persistent refusal to heed warnings serve as their own judgment. They are not merely condemned by the church's judgment alone, but their continued adherence to error and promotion of division, despite admonition, demonstrates a spiritual state where their conscience and behavior bear witness against them. Their obstinacy proves their guilt, making the church's rejection a recognition of their self-inflicted spiritual state, rather than an arbitrary external condemnation. This aligns with the biblical principle that our actions have inherent consequences, and persistent sin can lead to a hardened heart that becomes its own judge.

**Is Titus 3:11 advocating for excommunication from the church?**

Answer: While Titus 3:11 provides the theological basis, [Titus 3:10](/titus/3-10 "Titus 3:10 - Warning a Divisive Person") explicitly instructs to "reject a heretick after the first and second admonition." This "rejection" is indeed a form of church discipline, often understood as disfellowship or excommunication. The verse explains *why* such rejection is justified: because the person is "subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." The purpose of such discipline is twofold: to protect the purity and unity of the church from harmful influences and, ideally, to lead the unrepentant individual to a realization of their error and repentance, though the latter is not guaranteed. It's a last resort after attempts at reconciliation and warning have failed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Titus 3:11, while describing the serious state of a divisive person, finds its ultimate fulfillment and theological grounding in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "truth" from which the divisive person is "subverted" is fundamentally the truth embodied in Christ, who declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")". Division and sin stem from a rejection or distortion of this truth. Christ, as the perfect Lamb of God, entered a world "subverted" by sin, taking upon Himself the condemnation that humanity, "condemned of himself" through its sin, justly deserved ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers a way out of self-condemnation for all who believe, providing forgiveness and reconciliation with God ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Furthermore, Christ's mission was to break down walls of hostility and bring unity, making "both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Therefore, the church's need to address division, as seen in Titus 3:11, is a reflection of Christ's own commitment to the purity and unity of His body, which He purchased with His own blood ([Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - The Church of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

John 3:18

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Matthew 25:26

His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Matthew 25:28

Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.

Luke 19:22

And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Acts 15:24

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

2 Timothy 2:14

¶ Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.