Titus 3:11

Titus 3:11 stands as a concluding statement regarding how the church should handle individuals who persistently cause division or promote heresy. It underscores the spiritual state of such a person and the rationale for their rejection after due warning.

Context

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus, his spiritual son, whom he had left on the island of Crete to establish and organize churches. Throughout the epistle, Paul provides practical instructions on various aspects of Christian living, church leadership, and sound doctrine. Chapter 3 begins by urging believers to be submissive to authorities, live peaceably, and engage in good works, contrasting this with their former sinful lives. The focus then shifts to the importance of grace and regeneration (Titus 3:5). Immediately preceding verse 11, Paul gives specific instructions in Titus 3:10 to "reject a heretick" (or divisive person) after a first and second admonition. Verse 11 provides the theological justification for this action.

Meaning of Titus 3:11

The verse states, "Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." This refers to the individual described in the previous verse—a "factious" or "divisive" person who creates strife within the community, often based on false teaching or ungodly behavior.

• "He that is such is subverted": This means they are turned aside, twisted, or perverted from the truth. They have strayed from sound doctrine and godly conduct, indicating a fundamental spiritual disorientation.
• "And sinneth": Their actions are not merely misguided but are active transgressions against God's truth and the peace of the church. Their continued divisiveness is a sin.
• "Being condemned of himself": This is a crucial phrase. It implies 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 condemned by the church's judgment alone, but by their own choices and conscience bearing witness against them. Their obstinacy demonstrates a spiritual state where they have, in effect, condemned themselves by rejecting truth and unity.

Key Themes

• Church Discipline and Purity: The verse highlights the necessity of addressing internal conflict and false teaching to preserve the unity and health of the church. It's a measure to protect the flock from harmful influences.
• Self-Condemnation: A profound theme is that persistent rebellion against truth, especially after repeated admonition, leads to a state where one's own actions and conscience bear witness to their error. This is not about human judgment but about the inherent consequences of rejecting divine truth and community order.
• Sound Doctrine vs. Error: The underlying issue is often a departure from the "wholesome words" (2 Timothy 1:13) that build up the body of Christ, replaced by divisive and destructive teachings or behaviors.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "condemned of himself" is a translation of the single Greek word autokatakritos (αὐτοκατάκριτος). This compound word literally means "self-condemned." It powerfully conveys the idea that the person's own actions, choices, and refusal to repent serve as the basis for their spiritual judgment. It emphasizes that the church's rejection is not arbitrary but a recognition of the individual's self-inflicted spiritual state.

The word "subverted" comes from the Greek ekstrephō (ἐκστρέφω), meaning "to turn inside out," "to pervert," or "to corrupt." It suggests a fundamental distortion or twisting away from what is right and true.

Practical Application

Titus 3:11 offers timeless guidance for dealing with divisive individuals within the Christian community:

1. Emphasis on Warning: Before rejection, there must be clear and repeated warnings (Titus 3:10). This underscores patience and the desire for repentance.
2. Protection of the Flock: The ultimate goal of such discipline is to protect the spiritual health and unity of the entire congregation from harmful influences.
3. Discernment: This verse calls for discernment to recognize truly divisive behavior that stems from a perverted understanding or willful sin, as opposed to mere disagreement.
4. Personal Responsibility: It highlights that individuals are accountable for their choices. When someone persists in error despite clear guidance, they are ultimately responsible for their own spiritual standing before God. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that what a person sows, they will also reap.