As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't just talking about doctrinal error; the word for "heretic" here refers to someone causing divisions or factions within the church, prioritizing their own ideas or discontent over unity. This means the focus is less on what they believe and more on how their beliefs or attitudes disrupt the community, making them a "party-maker" rather than just someone with different theological views.
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Apostle Paul is giving Titus final instructions on managing the churches in Crete, focusing on how to maintain sound doctrine and godly living. After outlining the qualities of leaders and the behavior expected of various groups within the church, Paul shifts to addressing disruptive individuals. He concludes by urging Titus to deal with those who cause division by first warning them, and then, if they remain unrepentant, to sever fellowship.
The word 'heretic' today often brings to mind someone with all the wrong beliefs. But in the New Testament, it had a broader meaning that might surprise you.
When Paul uses the word 'heretic' here in Titus, he's not necessarily talking about someone who holds incorrect theological beliefs. Instead, the original Greek word points to someone who is a party or sect founder, a 'promoter of a sect or party.'
A Broader Meaning
We're told to 'reject' a divisive person, but that doesn't mean we immediately cut them off. There's a specific, patient process Paul outlines.
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Paul's instruction isn't a call for immediate ostracization. Instead, it emphasizes a careful and repeated approach before reaching the point of separation.
Steps to Reconciliation (or Separation)
This process reflects God's own patience and desire for people to turn back to Him.
What does it truly mean to 'reject' someone in a Christian context? It's not about punishment, but about protecting the community.
The word Paul uses for 'reject' here (paraitou) carries the sense of 'to refuse,' 'to shun,' or 'to avoid.' It's a strong word, but its application is crucial for understanding biblical discipline.
The Nature of Rejection
Understand the original words
hairetikos · Greek Noun/Adjective
The act of creating factions or causing a rupture in the unity of the church. It often refers to someone who persistently pushes their own agenda or erroneous views to alienate members of the community.
This passage also warns believers to 'mark and avoid' those who cause divisions and disrupt the unity of the church, echoing the sentiment of Titus 3:10 regarding divisive individuals.
Matthew 18:15-17Jesus outlines a process for dealing with sin within the community, including private correction, bringing witnesses, and ultimately treating the unrepentant as an outsider, which aligns with the progressive admonition and eventual separation described in Titus 3:10.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5This passage demonstrates the seriousness of unrepentant sin within the church, leading to excommunication, reinforcing the principle that persistent divisive behavior warrants decisive action to protect the community.
Galatians 5:19-21The Apostle Paul lists 'enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,' which are works of the flesh that disqualify one from inheriting the kingdom of God, highlighting the destructive nature of the behavior Titus 3:10 addresses.
2 Thessalonians 3:6This verse instructs believers to keep away from 'every brother who is guilty of disorderly conduct,' providing another example of the New Testament's emphasis on maintaining the purity and order of the church by distancing from disruptive members.
ellicottTitus 3:10: "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;"
(10) A man that is an heretick. —The Greek word translated “heretick” in the New Testament occurs here only. The term “heresies” occurs twice ( 1Corinthians 11:19 ; Galatians 5:20 ). In neither, however, of these passages does the word signify there a fundamental or doctrinal error. This sense belongs to a usage of later times. From the meaning of the word “heresy” in these passages of St. Paul, we are able to…
barnesTitus 3:10: "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;"
A man that is an heretic - The word "heretic" is now commonly applied to one who holds some fundamental error of doctrine, "a person who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith, or that which is made the standard of orthodoxy." Webster. The Greek word here used αἱρετικὸς hairetikos occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The corresponding noun (αἵρεσις hairesis) occurs in the foll…
The verse isn't just talking about doctrinal error; the word for "heretic" here refers to someone causing divisions or factions within the church, prioritizing their own ideas or discontent over unity. This means the focus is less on what they believe and more on how their beliefs or attitudes disrupt the community, making them a "party-maker" rather than just someone with different theological views.
The Apostle Paul is giving Titus final instructions on managing the churches in Crete, focusing on how to maintain sound doctrine and godly living. After outlining the qualities of leaders and the behavior expected of various groups within the church, Paul shifts to addressing disruptive individuals. He concludes by urging Titus to deal with those who cause division by first warning them, and then, if they remain unrepentant, to sever fellowship.
The Apostle Paul is giving Titus final instructions on managing the churches in Crete, focusing on how to maintain sound doctrine and godly living. After outlining the qualities of leaders and the behavior expected of various groups within the church, Paul shifts to addressing disruptive individuals. He concludes by urging Titus to deal with those who cause division by first warning them, and then, if they remain unrepentant, to sever fellowship.
"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him," — The verse isn't just talking about doctrinal error; the word for "heretic" here refers to someone causing divisions or factions within the church, prioritizing their own ideas or discontent over unit…
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Last reviewed October 2026